BOTOX®, Dysport®, Xeomin® & Jeuveau®

All individuals must be above the age of 18 years. Other than that, there is no right or wrong age for injections. Even though younger patients tend to have fewer skin creases, neuromodulator injections help prevent the formation of wrinkles if started at a younger age. Dr. Walker believes is it important to always start with the lowest possible dose of BOTOX® regardless of your age.

BOTOX® is a safe and FDA-approved medication for many medical treatments beyond cosmetic purposes. Like any medication, BOTOX® can have rare side effects if administered at doses that are too high or if used in patients who should not receive BOTOX®, as is true for any medication on the market, including non-prescription drugs. Tylenol, if taken incorrectly or in conjunction with alcohol consumption, can lead to liver failure. Aspirin, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, and other NSAIDs can lead to gastrointestinal bleeds that can be life-threatening to a certain patient population. Although BOTOX® naturally occurs as a bacterial toxin that can cause botulism, the dosage used for medical purposes is approximately 1% of toxic levels. To put things in perspective, penicillin is also derived from microbes (common molds) and can cause life-threatening side effects in patients who are allergic to penicillin. The side-effect profile of BOTOX® is extremely small considering the number of treatments performed every day worldwide.

A common misconception about neuromodulator injections is that they lead to a frozen, expressionless face. The key to avoiding this lies in the skill of the injector and not in the product itself. By using microdroplet injections targeting specific muscles and by avoiding certain areas, a natural result can be obtained without looking artificial or “coverly done”.

Since there is no reversal agent to BOTOX® injections or its relatives (Dysport®, Xeomin®, or Jeuveau®), Dr. Walker places emphasis on conservative injections. This is particularly true for clients who are new to him or new to BOTOX® or Dysport® altogether, as the results can always be enhanced with more product at the two-week follow-up. Even though neuromodulator injections appear to be relatively minor procedures, they are often misconceived as a procedure without side effects or risks.

The human face contains over 43 muscles, and it is important to understand which muscles may be safely injected and which muscles ought to be avoided. It is very important that you only allow an experienced and trained injector to perform this procedure. As a fellowship-trained and dual board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon who performs a vast array of facial surgeries (both cosmetic and reconstructive), Dr. Walker possesses the necessary knowledge of facial anatomy and skill set to safely administer BOTOX® injections.

A misplaced injection can result in a very unnatural look, asymmetries, blurry vision, mouth drooling, and other side effects depending on which muscles were inadvertently injected. In rare instances, the injected substance may migrate away from the injection site and cause slurred speech or even breathing problems.

The difference is simple: BOTOX® prevents and treats wrinkles you get with repetitive facial movement (dynamic wrinkles) such as the frown lines or crow’s feet by relaxing the underlying muscles. Fillers are used for wrinkles present at rest (static wrinkles) such as the smile lines between your nose and mouth (nasolabial folds) or to volumize the face by filling hollows under the skin. BOTOX® and fillers work complementary to each other and address different parts of your face. In fact, they are often used in conjunction for a “liquid facelift”. While BOTOX\u00ae is classified as a medication by the FDA, fillers are considered a liquid implant.

Results from BOTOX® and other neuromodulators typically last 3 months, rarely longer. Most patients come in every three months for maintenance of treatment. If you are getting preventative BOTOX® at a younger age, you may be able to space visits further apart. After considering your goals and postulating your treatment plan, Dr. Walker will advise your recommended treatment intervals.

BOTOX®, Dysport®, Xeomin®, and Jeuveau® are brand names of injectables that weaken muscles to relax wrinkles. The active ingredient in all four brands is botulinum toxin type A. They all relax facial muscles to soften dynamic wrinkles by the same mechanism, but each formula is designed to suit specific areas and needs. There are subtle differences between them, including the amount in each dose, treatment spread, the onset of results, and the duration of results, although the difference is quite small and frankly negligible. Similarly, Motrin and Advil are different brands of the same medication (ibuprofen), just like BOTOX®, Dysport®, Xeomin®, and Jeuveau® are different brands of the same ingredient. Dr. Walker will be happy to go over the differences and similarities with you and choose the best treatment option with you and for you.