What Are The Cosmetic Benefits Of Botox?

“I’d really like a few more wrinkles around my eyes,” said nobody ever. Of course, it’s an honor to live a long life, and wrinkles are, inevitably, part of that seasoning package. However, take into account the fact that anti-wrinkle skin care costs approximately $49 billion annually worldwide, and the demand for wrinkle treatment is expected to exceed that level in the coming years. When looking for ways to get rid of wrinkles, many people use the term “Botox” to describe any and all treatments, but anti-wrinkle skincare includes a wide range of products. Botox, which is a neurotoxin, is just one option out of many, and choosing the best one for you isn’t always easy. So, to help you find your way through this maze, Apex Skin will be holding “Botox Week” from April 21 through 25 to celebrate the benefits of all of these treatments, to educate the public about their benefits, and to provide consultations for patients who want to know how to get rid of wrinkles in the best way that makes sense for them individually.

To set you up for wrinkle-erasing success ahead of time, we are talking with some of our Apex Skin wrinkle-busting experts today:

Shannon Schaffer, a board-certified aesthetic nurse practitioner who works in our Canton dermatology office
Isabelle Panichi, a board-certified and licensed physician assistant who works in our Loraine and Westlake dermatology offices
Halei Stebbins, a board-certified nurse practitioner who works in our Medina dermatology office.

Recognizing Fine Lines and Wrinkles One of the most common questions we hear at Apex Skin is “Why? Why do I have wrinkles? Why?” There are several factors, but the biggest one is simply the natural aging process. Additional factors can speed up or slow down this process, however.
Additionally, there are two kinds of wrinkles that can appear on your face: Dynamic wrinkles: Movements and facial expressions like smiling, squinting, or grimacing cause these wrinkles. According to Halei Stebbins, “most people start noticing dynamic wrinkles in their late 20s to early 30s, though this is highly dependent on genetics, skin type, sun exposure, and lifestyle.” Static wrinkles: Even when your face is at rest, static wrinkles can be seen. “Static wrinkles tend to be more prominent in your 40s, especially as we lose collagen, elastin, fat pads, etc.,” says Stebbins. “Early signs could be fine lines on the forehead (frontalis), between the eyes (glabellar region), or crow’s feet (orbicularis oculi).”

She goes on to say, “Now, remove the majority of that stack of paper, leaving just a few sheets.” You can now bend it more and create static wrinkles on the paper. This represents aged skin that is thin and has lost a lot of collagen and elastin. This is where you see the wrinkles that are there all the time, not just when you are making expressions. Botox will help at this point, but you and your dermatologist may want to talk about other options for reducing the appearance of these wrinkles. How do neurotoxins work? Is Botox Safe? Beyond Botox: An Overview Botox, Dysport, Daxxify, and Jeuveau are all medical-grade, FDA-approved cosmetic treatments that use a type of neurotoxin derived from Botulinum type A, a purified form of Clostridium botulinum bacteria. It’s completely understandable that when you hear the word “neurotoxin” you wonder, “Is Botox safe?” So let’s talk about Botox and its cousins, which all work slightly differently, but have the same origins.

Panichi explains, “Botox, Dysport, Daxxify, and Jeuveau are all neurotoxins used in aesthetic medicine to reduce wrinkles.” “They share a similar mechanism of action but are different in terms of formulation, onset, duration, and effectiveness. The best neurotoxin for each patient will usually depend on which area needs to be treated, cosmetic goals, desired onset, and duration. It is best to consult with an aesthetic provider to assess the best option for individual preferences and needs.”

How Was Botox Discovered?

A Belgian scientist discovered Clostridium botulinum bacteria back in the 1920s, and it’s been under study ever since. In the wild, this neurotoxin can cause severe and deadly illness through paralyzation. However, its effectiveness in treating a wide range of conditions has been demonstrated under carefully controlled and purified conditions. Even as far back as the 1970s, scientists and doctors had found medical applications for this neurotoxin, including treating crossed eyes. By the early 2000s, scientists had expanded its safe and useful applications to include erasing wrinkles, treating excessive sweating, helping dentists treat TMJ-related jaw pain, and even using Botox for migraines, to name a few.

So How Does Botox Work?

“Neurotoxins are a substance that temporarily blocks the nerve signals that make your muscles contract,” explains Panichi. Botox is a common neurotoxin used for cosmetic purposes. By relaxing certain muscles of the face, we can prevent unwanted muscle movement and smooth out wrinkles.

To put it another way, injecting a small, purified amount of this neurotoxin into specific locations temporarily paralyzes the surrounding muscles and prevents nerve impulses from reaching the affected area. This temporary paralysis relaxes and softens wrinkles, effectively erasing them for approximately three to six months, depending on the patient and the specific treatment used.

The Effects of Neurotoxin Treatments on Anti-Wrinkle Skin Care Today, about 3.6 million Americans receive Botox, Dysport, Daxxify, and Jeuveau anti-wrinkle skin care treatments to smooth out frown lines (Glabellar lines), crow’s feet (wrinkles at the eye corners), forehead creases, cobblestone chin, and wrinkles at the mouth corners. These neurotoxin treatments for wrinkles work best on dynamic wrinkles, which form when we make facial expressions. Stebbins says that patients can anticipate the following additional aesthetic enhancements: “Other improvements include, but are not limited to, eyebrow lift, non-surgical rhinoplasty creating the appearance of a straighter or a thinner nose, facial contouring, gummy smile reduction where you see less of your gum when you smile, lifted lip giving the appearance of a fuller lip, neck bands to soften the appearance of aging and muscle tension in the neck, reduction of jaw clenching or teeth grinding, reduction in sweat, and migraine relief.”

Busting Anti-Wrinkle Neurotoxin Myths

So, now you know that Botox is simply the now-generic term for a wide range of neutoxin anti-wrinkle skin care treatment options. The terms “Botox,” “Dysport,” “Daxxify,” and “Jeuveau” all belong to the same category. However, Stebbins busts a number of other myths as well: “Botox gives you a frozen face”—When administered by a skilled professional, botox can relax wrinkles without affecting your ability to make natural facial expressions. This is neutoxin-brand, strength, and dose-dependent.

“Botox is only for women”—Many men seek neurotoxins to reduce wrinkles and maintain a youthful appearance, and more.
“Botox is instant”—While some results can be seen within a few days depending on the brand of neurotoxin (Dysport, Daxxify, Jeuveau), other brands (Botox, Xeomin) are typically seen within a week, however, it is important to stress that peek results will be seen average 2 weeks.
“Botox is dangerous”—Neurotoxins are FDA approved. As with any procedure, there are risks involved if not done properly, so it is always important to be treated by a licensed and trained provider who will discuss any questions or concerns that you have.
“Botox is permanent”—the effects typically last three to four months. This is brand and dose-dependent. Regular treatments are necessary to maintain results.

“Botox is only for wrinkles”—Many people don’t realize neurotoxins can treat other symptoms such as sweating, migraines, and even TMJ disorders.
“Botox is the same as filler”—No, these are two distinct procedures with very different goals. Filler adds volume to lips, cheeks, chin, and other areas while Botox relaxes dynamic wrinkles. Beyond Wrinkle Treatment: Neurotoxins in Aesthetics and Medicine
We’ve already mentioned a couple of different medical applications for neurotoxin treatment besides wrinkle treatment, including Botox for migraines and TMJ. So far, the list of conditions that can be alleviated includes:
Smoothing out wrinkles and rejuvenating the face
Managing TMJ pain in the jaw assisting denture wearers in adjusting Alleviating chronic migraines
easing muscle tension Treating hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
It is essential to meet with your dermatologist to discuss your specific requirements if you are thinking about neurotoxin wrinkle treatment in any form.

Complementary Strategies for Managing Wrinkles and Fine Lines

Of course, neurotoxins aren’t the only wrinkle treatment out there. There are many ways to slow down the aging process and boost your skin’s radiant appearance. Here are some of Schaffer, Panichi, and Stebbins’ go-to suggestions: 1. Skincare on a daily basis and preventative measures “Sunscreen! A broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30+ protects against both UVA and UVB rays is always my first recommendation,” says Schaffer. “Outside of the natural aging process, sun damage is the main culprit of wrinkles and aging skin. Incorporating SPF into your daily routine is crucial for preventative measures. The production of collagen and the turnover of skin cells are also aided by retinols. Small things you can do to avoid wrinkles and sun damage include not smoking, wearing a hat and SPF-protective clothing, eating well, and staying hydrated. In addition to these lifestyle tips, she recommends skincare treatments, including Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), antioxidants, moisturizers, and vitamin A Acid (Tretinoin) for managing signs of aging. These are all things you can discuss with your dermatology provider so you get the individual recommendations best for your skin.