Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Juvederm, and Restylane Explained.

Everything you Need to Know about Botox and Facial Fillers

Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin belong to the family of injectable neuromodulators, also known as injectable fillers or injectables. These can minimalize or eliminate contraction-induced wrinkles by impermanently altering the nerve impulses of the targeted muscle.

Each of the products, commonly used in a cosmetic application, contains a slightly different measure of the same substance, Botulinum Toxin A (bacterium Clostridium Botulinum) and effectively they all work in the same way by blocking the impulses of the nerves and thus impermanently paralyzing muscle’s activity causing wrinkles. Botulinum Toxin (BTX), which is, in fact, a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum and related species, has been considered as the safest and so far, the most effective method reducing facial wrinkles. Direct injections of the toxin under the skin cause relaxation of the muscle and therefore result in the smoothing of the wrinkles. The most commonly treated areas are frown lines between the eyebrows and horizontal lines across the forehead but many also entrust the injectable fillers in treating crow’s feet, nasal lines, eyebrow lifting or lines around the neck. Botulinum Toxin is also commonly used in medicine to treat disorders characterized by the overactive muscle movement as well as chronic migraines.

Botox was first produced by Allergan and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1989. Dysport by Medicis earned its approval in 2009 and finally Xeomin, coming from Merz, was FDA-approved in July 2010 for treatment of adults with cervical dystonia or blepharospasm. The approval of Xeomin for cosmetic use came in just a little later, in 2011 for temporary treatment of moderate to severe glabellar lines.

All the three products are in fact very similar, however in certain situations, one may get a different reaction using one or the other. The manufacturing process can alternate slightly, which leads to some potential, subtle differences in clinical practice.

According to some of the specialists, Dysport has a little bit more diffusion and may work well for correcting small crow’s feet due to its ability to distribute evenly under the skin. Instead, Botox can be used perfectly when needed to make a small correction of a rogue wrinkle. Despite minimal differences, generally, these products can be used almost interchangeably. Notwithstanding, due to their visible disparity in terms of diffusing process, achieving comparable results when switching from one drug to the other may require alteration in injection points.

Some of the researchers show that takes 3 – 5 days for Botox to start working, while Dysport displays visible results within 2 days. While considering lasting of the results Botox usually works for up to 6 months, and Dysport can last up to 9 – 12 months.

Contrary to Botox and Dysport, Xeomin does not contain any additives, which means it does not require refrigeration and consequently makes it easier to transport or store.

It has been proven that injectable fillers when applied properly, will demonstrate the effects only in the injection zone and do not affect the surrounding areas afterward, as commonly feared.

Over a longer period of time, these products also prevent the formation of deeper lines by reducing the intensity and frequency of contraction-induced wrinkles, which makes them an increasingly popular anti-wrinkle and anti-aging treatments.

Juvederm and Restylane, also commonly used in the anti-wrinkle treatments, are members of the family of injectable hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an anionic distributed widely throughout connective, epithelial and neural tissues, which just means it’s a naturally occurring sugar and can be found in all living organisms, providing volume and fullness to the skin.

Juvederm based products have smooth, gel consistency, compared to some other hyaluronic gel products of granular consistency. Treatments are developed using the Hylacross technology to allow a smoother gel, which adds temporary volume and a smoother appearance to the skin. Most patients need one series of injections to provide optimal results, lasting between 9 months to 1 year. Juvederm is used primarily to treat facial lines and deeper ones e.g. between nose and mouth’s corners. It’s not recommended to use it for lip augmentation. Some Juvederm manufacture might contain the local anesthetic lidocaine for a less unpleasant injection. Products such as Juvederm Ultra XC contain 0.3% lidocaine, which makes them able to numb the treated area within moments. Others, as Juvederm Ultra Plus, are based on a hybrid formula, which increases their effectiveness in correcting deeper lines and folds.

Restylane is essentially a hyaluronic acid gel produced by species of bacteria (NASHA).

Contrary to other hyaluronic acid-based products, such as mentioned above Juvederm, Restylane is produced by natural fermentation in a clinic environment. This method significantly reduces the risk of transmitting diseases or allergic reactions for users. Restylane is widely recommended for the correction of gentle to severe facial lines and folds, as well as submucosal inculcation or lip augmentation. The product exists in the form of a clear gel, working to correct wrinkles in a dual way. Restylane gel, upon being injected into the treated area, integrates into dermal tissue and then draws and binds to water molecules to help maintain volume.

Restylane is progressively degraded by the natural mechanism of the body and disappears without any residue or side effects. Research indicates results to last between 6 – 9 months depending on the individual condition and injection area.

What is the main difference between Juvederm and Restylane? These are high quality, safe, and FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved products, based on the use of hyaluronic acid, which provide long-lasting results. There are some minor differences between both and it often depends mainly on the personal preference of the doctor which one they would recommend to their patients.

Conclusion

When choosing the right anti-wrinkle treatment for yourself from all the above mentioned you should first consider support available from the supplier or manufacturer. In terms of user safety, the final consensus is that discussed products express very similar qualities. That’s why it is vital to ensure that your practitioner has the right qualification to carry out anti-wrinkle injections securely. The best way is to find the specialist, whom you can trust and work with to find an ideal product for your needs. Any product can be used in a wrong way when handled by an unqualified person. Make sure you consult experienced and recommended practitioners when looking for the best dermal filler treatment.