Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau
One of the earliest and most common signs of aging is the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on your face. These marks of age can be caused by a variety of things, and usually are the result of a combination of several factors, including cellular changes, collagen depletion, and damage caused by free radicals and UV light.
Active vs. Passive Wrinkles
Even though they may all look the same, there are actually two types of wrinkles on your face. Passive wrinkles are the lines that appear due solely to genetics and effects of the environment. Thin or dry skin, sun exposure, lifestyle choices – all of these contribute to the breakdown of collagen and elastin in your skin, leaving you with varying degrees of damage.
Active wrinkles are caused by long term repetitive use of the muscles in your face. When you frown or concentrate, the muscles between your brows contract, causing your skin to furrow and fold, and when you squint, the muscles around your eyes contract and cause crow’s feet. You use these muscles all day every day, so as the collagen and elastin in your skin decreases over time, these wrinkles etch themselves deeper and deeper into your face.
Botox®
In the past, the only way to get rid of these active wrinkles would be to undergo a surgical facelift or brow lift. But in 2002, the FDA approved Botox® for use in treating moderate to severe glabellar lines (the lines between the brows), and in 2013, Botox® was FDA approved for treating crow’s feet as well. Now, Botox® is the number one nonsurgical cosmetic treatment available, with nearly five million people taking advantage of its anti-aging effects in the past year.
Botox® is formulated from a strain of botulinum toxin, a purified protein that is derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Discovered in 1895, Clostridium botulinum has been the subject of research because of the potential therapeutic uses. When injected into the areas targeted for treatment, Botox® works to temporarily reduce the activity of those muscles. The result is not only smoother skin, but with regular use, Botox® can help “train” the muscles to relax, so that the chance of recurrence of those wrinkles and formation of new ones is also greatly reduced.
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Dysport and Xeomin
While Botox® was once the only option for neuromodulators, the FDA has also approved two more injectables that work very similarly to Botox® – Dysport and Xeomin. Derived from the same strain as Botox®, these treatments offer similar results. In fact, the only differences are slight, including how fast they begin to work and how they diffuse in your tissue. At your consultation with Dr. Terrasse, he will examine you and discuss your desired goals, as well as potential benefits and possible risks from the use of Botox®, Dysport, or Xeomin.
Once you’ve selected a treatment, all it will take is a quick, nearly painless in-office procedure. Typically, the effects of the treatment are apparent in three to five days, and your improved appearance can last between two to six months. You will still be able to frown, smile, or look animated as desired, but with much softer and more natural appearing creases and wrinkles.
If you are frustrated by fine lines and wrinkles that make you look older than you feel, Botox®, Dysport, or Xeomin may be the solution to your problems. Call Terrasse Aesthetic Plastic Surgery today at 847.234.2400 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Terrasse and discover the best treatment for you.