Neuromodulators
Neuromodulators are one of the most popular ways for adults to quickly and painlessly reduce the appearance of fine lines and facial wrinkles.
So no matter whether you’re looking for cosmetic treatments or to alleviate a chronic condition, neuromodulators should be high on your list of treatments to consider. Keep reading to get the full run-down on neuromodulator injections to help you decide if they’re the right option for you.
Botox injections are also commonly used to treat a host of health concerns, including:
- Neck spasms (cervical dystonia)
- Overactive bladder or loss of bladder control
- Lazy eye (strabismus)
- Chronic migraine or headache
- Blepharospasms
- Severe underarm sweating (hyperhidrosis)
What are Neuromodulators?
Neuromodulators are a compound called onabotulinumtoxinA, a muscle paralyzer produced by Clostridium botulinum.
Botox was the first FDA-approved treatment for fine lines and wrinkles. Other companies have started using other toxins, such as abobotlumintoxinA, rimabotulinumtoxinB, and incobotulinumtoxinA, to make their own branded treatments. Each of these is very similar in its effects, but they’re not interchangeable since their recommended doses are different.
Neuromodulators help prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles and reduces the visibility of existing lines. By temporarily paralyzing the underlying facial muscle, neuromodulators stop the skin from folding and creating wrinkles. As the muscles relax, the skin also smooths out and looks younger.
While neuromodulators paralyze muscles, it’s important to note that it doesn’t affect your nerves, and you won’t feel numb or frozen after a neuromodulators session. And if applied correctly, you’ll still be able to smile and frown and go about your life normally, with a bit of added confidence.
Who is a Good Candidate for neuromodulators?
The best candidates are people who want to reduce the appearance of fine lines along their upper face. Every person has a different tipping point where they feel they have too many wrinkles, so we try not to use age as a determining factor.
Every person’s skin reacts differently to environmental and genetic factors. Some people develop fine lines early in life, while others can look fresh well into their 40s. It’s all up to you and your confidence level to decide when it’s the right time to start using neuromodulators.
We recommend using neuromodulators for visible forehead lines, crow’s feet, and other upper facial concerns. Neuromodulators aren’t suitable for removing lines at the bottom half of the face, and those will require a different intervention.
However, neuromodulators do interact with several medications, so it’s important to let your physician know if you take:
- Muscle relaxants
- Cold or allergy medication
- Sleep medicine
- Blood thinners such as warfarin
- Over-the-counter vitamins
Also, if you suffer from existing conditions, like Lambert-Eaton syndrome or myasthenia gravis that affect your muscles, or a neurological condition, avoid neuromodulators.
Should Young People Get Preventative neuromodulators?
Neuromodulators can address the underlying cause of fine lines and wrinkles — overt muscle movements that etch grooves into your skin. By starting neuromodulators early, you can halt the progress of fine line development, leading to fewer wrinkles as you age.
FDA studies into the long-term safety of Botox and similar medication like Dysport or Xeomin show few long-term complications. You can get repeated botulism toxin injections without worrying about damaging your nerves or muscles.
How to Prepare for Your neuromodulator Injections
Neuromodulator injections is usually an outpatient procedure at our Salas Practice Surgery. We always start with a consultation to bring up any concerns or questions that you have regarding neuromodulators or similar treatments.
Our surgeons will also use this opportunity to evaluate whether neuromodulators are the best option for you, and if necessary, offer alternative solutions, including filler injections or even surgery.
Once your specialist has determined the injection sites, they’ll apply a topical anesthetic to the site to minimize any discomfort. You’ll receive many tiny injections into the relevant injection sites to address your frown lines.
A cold pack after the injections will help reduce the swelling and inflammation that commonly occurs after neuromodulators. This swelling usually goes down within a day. The entire process usually takes less than 30 minutes, depending on the severity of your lines and the number of injections.
neuromodulator Aftercare
While you can head back to work right after your treatment, we recommend taking the day off. Many people experience some redness and swelling around the injection sites, which typically disappears within a day.
Our physicians will give you a list of neuromodulator aftercare to maximize your results. The main things to consider are sleeping with your head in an elevated position the night after your treatment and avoiding rubbing the affected areas.
Neuromodulators takes a bit of time to work, but you’ll see the final results within five to seven days of your initial treatment.
If you have any questions or concerns after your neuromodulator treatment, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Risks and Side Effects
Botulinum toxin is a dangerous neurotoxin and can have adverse effects if administered incorrectly. We strongly recommend using an experienced, certified doctor for your neuromodulator treatment to avoid any of the more serious risks associated with the procedure.
Some of the common side effects of neuromodulators include:
- Inflammation at the injection site
- Crooked smile
- Headache
- Eye dryness
While incredibly unlikely, neuromodulators can sometimes spread to the rest of the body. This results in a spread of toxin effects, resulting in severe symptoms including:
- Muscle weakening
- Blurred or double vision
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of bladder control
- Trouble swallowing
- Dizziness
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
Neuromodulator FAQs
Still not sure if Botox is right for you? Want to learn more about the risks associated with Botox? Here are some of the frequent questions we hear from our patients.
Neuromodulators are excellent for the upper facial area, and we use it to treat forehead lines, crow’s feet, and glabellar furrows. We recommend against using neuromodulators to treat frown lines around the mouth or neck wrinkles.
A neuromodulator injection will hurt as much as a regular injection. Some patients find the repeated small pricks very uncomfortable, which is why we offer our patients topical numbing creams to ease the process.
However, most patients report no pain in the injection sites or other facial areas once the treatment is over.
Yes, neuromodulators have potential side effects just like any other medication does. The most common side effects of neuromodulators are relatively mild, and the worst you can expect is a temporarily droopy eyelid, bruising, and inflammation. These tend to disappear clear up not long after your treatment.
The price of cosmetic neuromodulators depends on several factors, including the treatment area and severity of the issue. Some practices charge per recommended dose, while others calculate your total based on the work area.
In general, you can expect to pay around $400 to $500 per session.
If you were thinking about neuromodulators as a treatment for a medical condition, don’t panic. Your health insurance often covers neuromodulators treatments for excessive sweating and migraines, so make sure to speak to your doctor about your goals for wanting neuromodulators.
A typical neuromodulator treatment will last three to four months, which is why we recommend scheduling top-up treatments before you leave the clinic. The more you use neuromodulators, the better the results and the fewer lines and wrinkles you’ll develop as you age.
Schedule A Consultation For neuromodulators In Miami
Whether you’re looking for Botox or Jeuveau or any similar treatment, Salas Plastic Surgery is here for you. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment for Botox in Miami. You’ll be amazed at how much Neuromodulators will boost your confidence!
