Botox Torrance, CA

Botox and Dysport are two distinct brands injectable neuromodulators most commonly used to address aesthetic concerns on the face. Unlike injectable fillers that work to rehydrate and fill lines and wrinkles from within, neuromodulators work to safely relax the small facial muscles responsible for creating lines and creases in the skin. The most common concerns addressed by Botox or Dysport are those where muscle activity influences your facial features, including:

• Glabellar lines between the eyebrows (also known as frown lines or “elevens”)
• Fine lines found around the corners of the eyes (crow’s feet)
• Forehead lines and creases
• Slimming the jawline
• A “gummy smile” caused by the excessive visibility of the gums
• A dimpled appearance to the chin

In addition to their anti-aging benefits, Botox and Dysport may also be used to relieve excessive sweating in the underarms or hands temporarily. Botox or Dysport injections can be performed as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with additional treatments if you have other concerns you would like to address or want a more dramatic rejuvenation. Dr. Verbin is happy to work with you during your consultation and recommend which treatments or surgical procedures will help you to best achieve your aesthetic goals.

Botox and Dysport are both FDA-approved injectable neuromodulator products derived from botulinum toxin type A. When administered in small and controlled doses, botulinum toxin can safely and temporarily immobilize small facial muscles by acting on their nerve endings. By blocking the signals sent from the brain to the targeted muscles, Botox and Dysport prevent these muscles from contracting and forming your expression lines.

The instant effect of freezing these muscles is a noticeable smoothing of your skin’s surface, helping you to look younger, more alert or even less angry. With limited muscle activity, Botox and Dysport ensure your existing wrinkles do not deepen or become more prominent. While not a permanent solution, Botox and Dysport offer highly-effective and lasting anti-aging benefits that can help you to delay cosmetic surgery for years.

More so, licensed and experienced injectors such as those at South Bay Aesthetics Plastic Surgery Center can use Botox and Dysport to safely target other concerns considered to be “off-label”, or not yet FDA-approved. Neuromodulators have been used for slimming the jawline, correcting chin dimpling or even minimizing the appearance of excessively visible gums when you smile. Dr. Verbin can discuss all of the possible uses for these neuromodulators during your initial consultation at our office.

Facial wrinkles fall into two different categories: dynamic and static. While dynamic wrinkles are only visible when the facial muscles contract or are in motion, static wrinkles are always visible on the skin. Each repetitive facial movement causes the skin to crease, creating dynamic wrinkles. When you’re younger, your skin has enough elasticity to bounce back and smooth over these creases when you relax your face. As you lose elasticity with age, your skin has more difficulty smoothing out. In time, these repetitive facial expressions combined with the effects of aging skin can result in wrinkles that become permanently fixed on your complexion, thus becoming static wrinkles.

Injectable neuromodulators such as Botox and Dysport are designed to treat dynamic wrinkles exclusively and can be safely used on adults of all ages. While neuromodulators cannot correct existing static wrinkles, they are frequently used as a preventative treatment. Patients can inactivate specific muscle groups in their faces before their dynamic wrinkles become static. Younger patients may even turn to neuromodulators as part of a “prejuvenation” treatment plan to counteract the effects of aging before they take over their appearance.

As with any cosmetic treatment, patients must be in good health and have realistic goals for the outcome of their Botox or Dysport injections. Neuromodulators can help you to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles on your face, or even prevent future lines from forming, but they aren’t right for everyone. Women who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding or patients with known allergies to botulinum toxin should not undergo this procedure. During your initial consultation, Dr. Verbin will carefully assess your medical history, aesthetic concerns and goals to determine if Botox or Dysport is the right option for you.

While both Botox and Dysport are FDA-approved for targeting and reducing facial wrinkles caused by small muscle movements, they differ in the areas they are designed to treat, how they are formulated as well as the results they yield. Dysport injections are typically ideal for eliminating moderate to severe glabellar lines, also referred to as frown lines or “elevens,” that are located between the eyebrows. Botox, on the other hand, is also ideal for treating glabellar lines as well as moderate to severe horizontal forehead wrinkles and crow’s feet, or small lines that fan out from the corners of the eyes.

The results from Dysport injections tend to become visible more quickly than Botox, usually in two to five days after your injections. Botox results will take slightly longer, with an average of four to seven days before results start to become apparent. While the duration of the results can vary from patient to patient, they tend to last about the same amount of time. In clinical studies, Dysport was demonstrated to have a four to five-month duration, whereas Botox typically lasted between three and four months. As a temporary solution to wrinkles, both Botox and Dysport will require touch-up treatments about every three to five months to maintain your wrinkle-free complexion.

Both Botox and Dysport are derived from the same bacterium; however, their formulations are unique and can produce varying results. Dysport’s formula may be better suited for some patients, while others may benefit more from Botox for their anti-aging treatments. However, sometimes the decision of which product is best for you is left to personal preference. Dr. Verbin will explain all of the differences and benefits of the two products and help you come to an informed decision regarding your neuromodulator treatment during your initial consultation.

Injectable treatments like Botox and Dysport are convenient and straightforward, generally taking just 10 to 20 minutes to complete depending on your concerns. Before administering your injections, Dr. Verbin will carefully identify, clean and mark the areas of your face to be treated to ensure precision and natural-looking results. The chosen neuromodulator will then be injected directly into the targeted facial muscles with a small needle. Your injectable appointment will consist of a series of brief injections into different regions of the face, each taking just a few seconds to administer.

Most patients tolerate their neuromodulator injections easily; however, if you are concerned about your comfort throughout the treatment, Dr. Verbin may apply a topical anesthetic or ice to your skin prior to receiving your injections. Patients have described the experience of neuromodulator injections as a brief pinch, followed by minor feelings of tightness in the face. After your treatment is over, you may immediately resume your regular daily schedule with no need for downtime.

Botox and Dysport may also be combined with additional treatments, including dermal fillers, for a more comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Dr. Verbin will discuss all of your options with you during your first appointment to help you decide which treatments are best for your needs and goals.

As nonsurgical and minimally-invasive treatments, Botox and Dysport injections cause minimal discomfort or residual side effects. Typically, patients will experience some mild to moderate swelling, bruising or redness in their treated areas. However, most side effects will fade within a day or two and can be easily concealed with makeup if you desire. Adverse side effects or allergic reactions from neuromodulators are incredibly rare, and Dr. Verbin will inform you of all potential risks prior to your first treatment.

Injectable treatments are highly effective and safe, requiring no downtime after your appointment. Patients are free to resume work or other normal activities as soon as they feel comfortable to do so. However, patients should take care not to touch their treated areas or exercise for about 24 hours after receiving their injections to avoid any potential migration that alters their results.

When administered by a qualified and skilled injector such as Dr. Verbin, Botox and Dysport can produce smoother and younger-looking skin. Wrinkles that are treated with neuromodulators will diminish quickly, typically in about a week or less, depending on the product selected. While select facial muscles will be rendered inactive, your ability to form your standard facial expressions should not be negatively affected. Many patients worry about their face looking unnatural or stiff after their Botox or Dysport treatment. However, as an expert in facial anatomy, Dr. Verbin will strategically administer your injections only to the areas where it is needed and tailor the quantity of the product used to ensure your natural appearance and expressions are preserved.

Once your results have fully developed, you can expect them to last between three to five months, though in some cases longer, depending on the neuromodulator used. After receiving your injections, your body works to harmlessly absorb the chosen neuromodulator over time, allowing movement to return to the treated facial muscles gradually. Many patients will opt to schedule regular maintenance treatments every three or so months to allow the aesthetic benefits of their treatments to continue for the long term.

Some patients who undergo routine Botox or Dysport injections may find that their results last longer and require less injections with ongoing treatments. The facial muscles treated with injectable neurotoxins may gradually shrink over time due to disuse, requiring less frequent treatments. Dr. Verbin will work with you to create a customized treatment plan during your neurotoxin consultation and recommend when to schedule your next touch-up appointment.