If you've ever thought about getting Dysport, Kybella, or Botox injections -- otherwise known as botulinum toxin treatment -- you're not alone. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Botox therapy was the most popular minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure in 2018, with 7.4 million procedures performed nationwide. Dysport and Kybella injections are also growing in popularity, with over 1 million and 100,000 treatments performed in 2018, respectively.
All three of these cosmetic injections are actually different formulations of botulinum toxins. Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin that temporarily relaxes or paralyzes muscles -- but how can these botulinum toxin products be so effective in helping you achieve your ideal summer glow?
At The Colorado Center for Health & Longevity, Dr. Ian Levenson is an expert in both medical aesthetics and functional medicine, making him uniquely qualified to provide you with the best possible skincare treatments for your individual goals. Dysport, Kybella, and Botox cosmetic injections are just a few of the many tools in his comprehensive arsenal to help you look and feel your best.
If you're considering Kybella, Dysport, or Botox treatments this summer, here's what you need to know about how each of these cosmetic treatments can help you achieve your desired results:
Is Botox Botulism?
First, it's important to dispel any myths about botulinum toxin products. Many people think that Botox is derived from botulism -- a potentially fatal form of food poisoning caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. However, this is not the case.
While both Botox and botulism are derived from the same neurotoxin, the botulinum neurotoxin in Botox has been carefully purified and diluted to make it safe for cosmetic use. In fact, botulinum neurotoxins have been used for over 30 years to treat a variety of medical conditions, including muscle spasms, migraines, and even excessive sweating.
So, What Is Cosmetic Botox?
When it comes to cosmetic treatment, botulinum toxin works by temporarily relaxing the facial muscles that are responsible for wrinkles and fine lines. The nerve endings that normally send signals to these muscles are also temporarily paralyzed, which prevents the muscles from contracting.
This temporary paralysis of the muscles results in a more youthful appearance, as facial wrinkles and fine lines are smoothed out.
A Botox injection is commonly applied using a very fine needle, and the entire process takes only minutes. Here's how it works:
- First, your specialist will carefully clean your skin and apply a numbing cream to the injection site to minimize any discomfort.
- Next, we will precisely inject the diluted botulinum toxin solution into the specific muscle groups that are causing your wrinkles or fine lines.
- After the injection, we will massage the area to help ensure even distribution of the solution.
Dysport, Kybella, or Botox treatment usually takes effect within 3-5 days, and the results can last for up to 4 months. There is no downtime required -- you can even return to your normal activities immediately after the treatment.
What Can Neurotoxins Help With?
There's a good reason why neurotoxins are so popular to use for cosmetic purposes. Botox, Kybella, and Dysport are all highly effective in helping to improve facial aesthetics.
Here are some of the most common areas that neurotoxins can be used to treat:
- Forehead wrinkles
- Crow's feet
- Frown lines
- Neck bands
- Smoker's lines
Neurotoxins are some of the best options available to improve the appearance of facial wrinkles, especially when used in combination with other cosmetic treatments such as dermal fillers. At The Colorado Center for Health & Longevity, we specialize in helping our patients achieve their ideal appearance through a combination of different aesthetic treatments.
What's The Difference Between Botox, Dysport, and Kybella?
Now that you know a little more about what neurotoxins are and how they can help improve your appearance, you might be wondering what the difference is between Botox, Dysport, and Kybella.
Here's a brief overview of each of these popular cosmetic treatments:
- Botox injections are derived from botulinum toxin type A, and it is the most well-known neurotoxin on the market. Botox is FDA-approved for the treatment of frown lines, crow's feet, and forehead wrinkles.
- Dysport injections are also derived from botulinum toxin type A. However, it has a slightly different chemical structure than Botox, which gives it some unique properties. Dysport is FDA-approved for the treatment of frown lines and crow's feet.
- Kybella injections are a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid, which is a naturally occurring molecule in the body that helps break down and absorb fat cells. Kybella is FDA-approved for the treatment of submental fullness, or 'double chin.'
At The Colorado Center for Health & Longevity, we offer all three of these popular neurotoxin treatments. We will work with you to help determine which treatment is best for your individual needs and goals.
How Are Neurotoxins Different From Dermal Fillers?
Neurotoxins and dermal fillers are both popular cosmetic treatments that can be used to improve the appearance of facial wrinkles. However, it's important to understand the difference between these two treatments in order to make the best decision for your individual goals.
Dermal fillers work by adding volume to the skin, which helps to fill in wrinkles and fine lines. On the other hand, neurotoxins work by temporarily paralyzing the muscles that are responsible for these wrinkles.
Botox and dermal fillers can actually be used together to achieve optimal results. This is because Botox can be used to target the muscles that are causing wrinkles, while dermal fillers can be used to add volume to these same areas.
Do Neurotoxins Have Adverse Effects?
According to clinical trials, the most common side effects associated with Botox, Dysport, and Kybella are temporary and relatively mild.
Some of the reported side effects of a botulinum toxin injection for cosmetic use include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Pain or tenderness at the injection site
- Headache
- Nausea
- Fever
- Weakness in the facial muscles
It's also important to look out for allergic reactions, including trouble swallowing. If you experience any of these side effects, it's important to contact your provider right away.
Are Neurotoxins Safe?
Yes. Kybella, Dysport, and Botox injections have all been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of various cosmetic conditions. Clinical trials have shown that these treatments are safe and effective for most people, and at the Colorado Center for Health & Longevity, we have years of experience safely administering these injections.
Get Safe, Professional Botox Near You
Neurotoxin injections are well-tolerated, well-studied, and extremely popular -- but you can't just walk into a spa and get these injections. It's extremely important to receive proper treatment from an experienced, certified healthcare provider.
At The Colorado Center for Health & Longevity, Dr. Levenson is a healthcare professional who can offer safe and professional neurotoxin injections. We will work with you to help you achieve your goals and provide you with the natural-looking results you desire.
If you’re ready to experience the best facial aesthetics Greenwood Village, CO has to offer, contact us today to schedule a consultation. We'll be happy to answer any questions you have and help you decide if injectable treatments are right for you.
Ready to look and feel your best this summer? Don’t wait. Request an appointment at The Colorado Center for Health and Longevity now!
