Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin — the Muscle Tamers

Everyone has heard about Botox; it’s one of the world’s most famous brand names. But there are two Botox wannabes, who do much the same thing, yet are nowhere near as famous. Their names are Dysport and Xeomin. Dr. Lavey offers all three injectables at his practice.

Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin are all classified as neuromodulators. This means they can temporarily paralyze a muscle when injected into it. And they all work their magic on basically the upper third of the face.

How do neuromodulators work?

Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin are all made from the botulinum toxin type A. This is the same bacteria that cause botulism, a scary form of food poisoning that can be fatal. During WWII, US researchers tested the botulinum toxin for its potential use as a chemical weapon, but then that research was halted. During research, scientists discovered that when injected in very minute amounts into a muscle, the toxin would temporarily paralyze that muscle.

That research was shared with the public when the weapons program was halted, and the result was Botox. Originally, Botox was used to treat involuntary eyelid spasms and other issues involving cases where muscle contractions were occurring when the person didn’t initiate them.

Party like its 2002

Then in 2002, the FDA approved Botox for use calming the muscles that create wrinkles on the skin’s surface. These are called dynamic wrinkles and form when a person makes expressions such as frowning, squinting, smiling, and the like. Repeated muscle contractions that signal these expressions eventually form wrinkles on the surface skin when our skin becomes less elastic with age. When a neuromodulator is injected into a muscle that forms a wrinkle such as the 11s between the brows, the neuromodulator blocks the nerve message from being sent from the muscle to the brain. The brain doesn’t receive the signal to contract the muscle in question, so it doesn’t contract, and the wrinkle on the surface doesn’t form. Botox, Xeomin, and Dysport all do this the same way.

So, where are they different?

Botox and Dysport both contain some additional proteins in their formulas. Some people find they have a reaction to these proteins, so they can’t use Botox or Dysport. But Xeomin is just botulinum toxin without the added proteins; people who react to those extra proteins may not have a reaction to the pure toxin in Xeomin.

Beyond the additional proteins in Botox and Dysport, there is another difference between the three injectables. Dysport is a little thinner than Botox and Xeomin so that it can spread to a somewhat larger area under the skin. The injector needs to be experienced, however, because this spreading can make Dysport paralyze muscles it’s not intended for. That’s why you need the experience of Dr. Lavey to use these injectables correctly.

Interested in doing something about those wrinkles on the upper third of your face? Call Dr. Lavey at 925-820-3633 and ask about Botox, Xeomin, and Dysport.

 

 

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