Cosmetic Treatment Specialists Located in National Harbor, MD
What are Toxins?
Neuromodulators, also referred to as Toxins, treat facial wrinkles in the face and neck. There is FDA clearance for cosmetic treatment in the forehead and between the eyes. Today many medical providers are trained to safely inject off label areas such as the “crow's feet”, lower face, neck and even the trapezius muscles. Toxins work by weakening the muscles to create a relaxed appearance in the area treated. Once the treated muscles are weakened, the pull of the muscles and the overlying skin relaxes. The end result of weakening the muscles is a decrease in the appearance of wrinkles in the treated and surrounding areas.
What are the Benefits of Using Toxins for Cosmetic Reasons?
- REDUCE WRINKLES: Effortlessly reduce the appearance of dynamic, at rest wrinkles and fine lines, rejuvenating your skin for a more youthful, rested look.
- PREVENTION: Proactively prevent new wrinkle formation with preventative care that temporarily relaxes facial muscles
- MINIMAL DOWNTIME: Experience fast, nearly painless treatments with no recovery time, less than 4 hours of restricted activity. This treatement can seamlessly be integrated into any active schedule.
- NATURAL-LOOKING RESULTS: Attain subtle, natural-looking enhancements that enrich your features without looking overly done.
- CONFIDENCE BOOSTER: Feel rejuvenated with an appearance that enhances your confidence and self-esteem, empowering you to approach each day with renewed energy.
What Areas Can Be Treated With Toxins?
- Forehead lines
- Frown lines
- Smile lines or “Crow's feet”
- Eyebrow lift
- Jelly Roll
- Upper lip lift
- Upper lip “smoker” lines, even though you
- Nasal flaring
- Nasal tip lift
- Gummy smile
- Bunny Lines
- Chin dimpling
- Frown lines or Marionette lines
- Masseter tox
- Neck (platysma) bands
- Trapezius muscle (Trap Tox / Barbie Tox)
What Toxins Do We Use At Bella?
- Daxxify
- Dysport
- Botox
- Xeomin
Which Toxin Is Appropriate For You?
Understanding the differences between the different toxins can help you make informed decisions about your aesthetic journey. While all toxins target dynamic wrinkles and fine lines, they differ in formulation and action onset. Ultimately, the selection between these injectables relies on factors like personal choice, treatment objectives, and advice from your practitioner, ensuring a customized approach to address your specific aesthetic desires.
How Are Toxins Used?
Using a very tiny needle, small amounts of toxin are injected into the muscles to be relaxed. Depending on the areas being treated, 1-10 needle pricks (more or less) may be required. Discomfort is minimal and lasts only a few seconds.
How Long Does Toxin Last?
It can take up to 14 days (about 2 weeks) for toxins to entirely take effect, depending on where you were injected and how many units you received. This effect is temporary, and re-injection is necessary within three to ten months.
What Are the Side Effects of Toxins?
There are no recognized permanent side effects of using toxins. Occasionally, a small bruise may develop at the injection site, which resolves in a couple of days. If the toxin reaches a facial muscle not being treated, you may develop partial weakness of that muscle (for this reason, you are requested not to massage the injected areas for 12 hours following the injections and it is important to go to a skilled injector with a deep knowledge of facial anatomy and experience with treatments). If an untreated area experiences muscle weakness, the only “treatment” may be to wait for the effect of the toxin to wear off in several months. There are times when additional toxin can be injected to achieve the desired outcome. The pros and cons of both options should be discussed.
Complications are rare, but may include paralysis of a nearby muscle, resulting in its temporary loss of function (e.g., a drooping eyelid).
