Treatment for expression lines
First, it's important to know that the name of the first approved neuromodulator is owned by the pharmaceutical company Allergan. Therefore, its name, which is widely known but which we cannot mention, is like Nike or Adidas for athletic shoes, or Ferrari or Audi for cars, or Chanel or Balenciaga for fashion.
But what product is it the brand name of? It was the first neuromodulator approved for drug use by the FDA ( Food and Drug Administration). You can read about its other brand names used by other companies here.
What is it used for? It has many uses, as varied as headaches, depression, excessive sweating, and even as a hernia repair aid. However, its most frequent use is as a treatment for wrinkles.
The use of a neuromodulator to reduce wrinkles is the most frequently performed treatment in the field of aesthetics. But how does it work?
It's a toxin produced by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. Many mothers have probably heard that honey shouldn't be given to babies under one year old. This is because this molecule is naturally found in honey, and babies under one year old are susceptible to even very small amounts, which can cause muscle weakness or "infant botulism ." Its function in adults is the same: to weaken muscles, causing reduced muscle contraction.
When you're a child, your skin is always smooth. As the years go by, we can see wrinkles begin to appear. We can compare it to highways. When they're newly built, they're smooth, but over the years, with use from vehicular traffic, potholes begin to appear. The most heavily trafficked ones are generally in worse condition. The same thing happens with wrinkles: the more facial expressions we have, the more wrinkles we'll have! For example, someone who concentrates a lot might have two linear wrinkles between their eyebrows (like the model in the photo on this blog), and these wrinkles can give someone else the wrong impression of anger. Someone who smiles a lot might have wrinkles around their eyes. Another example is someone who is easily surprised and has horizontal wrinkles along their forehead. What happens to highways when vehicles stop driving on them? Generally, the potholes stop deteriorating. But the body, which is much more perfect than a highway, not only doesn't make wrinkles more prominent by limiting muscle contraction, but over time they begin to disappear.
But then, will I have no expression at all, and will no one know when I'm crying or smiling? You're absolutely right, which is why it's so important to choose the right professional to perform this medical treatment, which is an aesthetic art.
Why should a healthcare professional perform the procedure? Because it's the most frequently performed cosmetic treatment, the demand is enormous, and many people are interested in supplying the market. It's crucial to be wary of unqualified practitioners . While having no expression is certainly undesirable, it's not the most significant risk associated with Botox. Fortunately, all potential complications are temporary and last only as long as the medication's effect in the body, which is around 3-4 months. The most serious complication is paralysis of the muscles that lift the eyelid, resulting in the patient having their eye closed for several weeks. Other undesirable outcomes include an expressionless face or one with unnatural expressions, such as a crooked smile or excessively raised eyebrows.
To minimize these risks, it's best to have a plastic surgeon perform the procedure, as we are not only experts in anatomy but also understand and study the beauty of the human body. However, a dermatologist or an otolaryngologist, who have expertise in both the skin and the face, can also perform it. Other healthcare professionals can also administer the procedure, provided they take the necessary precautions to avoid causing harm.
The goal of this treatment is to soften facial expressions without eliminating them . This allows wrinkles to gradually disappear over time, while maintaining a natural and aesthetically pleasing facial expression. Let's not forget that our face is our first and most important window to the world! In the following videos, we see a beautiful woman who had never used this treatment for expression lines. Then, we see her results after three weeks, where we observe noticeable changes without losing her natural appearance. But the most interesting part is the third video, taken before her third application eight months later. We see how her skin condition has substantially improved, as well as the intensity of her facial expressions. Finally, the fourth and last video is one week after her third application. We observe a more stable result than after her first treatment, always ensuring that the natural essence of each person is preserved.
What's the difference between a neuromodulator and a filler? Facial filler injections are the second most frequently performed procedure in cosmetic surgery. Because of this frequency, many people think they serve the same purpose. In a way, they do, since both help us look better ! However, this goal is achieved through different methods, whether with a neuromodulator or a filler.
In another post we will learn a little about filler.
At Kintsugi we may not add years to your life but we will certainly add life to your years!