What is Botox Neuromodulator: Types, Safety, Finding Best Provider

What is Botox?

Botox is a popular neuromodulator made from botulinum toxin type A. It is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and works by temporarily paralyzing muscles.

How Botox Neuromodulator Works

When injected into muscles, Botox blocks the signals from the nerves to the muscle fibers. This prevents the muscle fibers from contracting, leading to a temporary paralysis that smoothens skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.

The effects of Botox start to appear 2-3 days after injection and peak after about 2 weeks. A single Botox treatment can last 3-4 months.

Medical Uses of Botox

In addition to cosmetic uses, Botox has been approved by the FDA for treatment of:

• Chronic migraine
• Overactive bladder
• Blepharospasm (uncontrolled blinking)
• Strabismus (misaligned eyes)
• Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
• Cervical dystonia (severe neck spasms)

How Safe is Botox?

When used appropriately and administered by an experienced doctor, Botox is considered very safe. Most side effects are minor and temporary.

The most common side effects include:

• Pain, bruising or redness at the injection site
• Headache
• Drooping eyelid
• Crooked smile
• Muscle weakness

These effects typically resolve within a couple weeks. Serious side effects from Botox spread are very rare when proper injection guidelines are followed.

Types of Botulinum Toxin

There are 4 main types of botulinum toxin used in neuromodulator injections:

OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox)

Botox was the first type of botulinum toxin approved for cosmetic use in 2002. It is the most studied and well-known brand of botulinum toxin with an excellent safety profile.

AbobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport)

Dysport was FDA approved for cosmetic use in 2009. It contains the same active ingredient as Botox but is formulated differently. The effects may not last quite as long as Botox.

IncobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin)

Xeomin was introduced in 2011 for treatment of wrinkles. It only contains purified botulinum toxin, while Botox and Dysport have additional proteins. This may reduce the risk of developing an immune reaction.

PrabotulinumtoxinA (Jeuveau)

The newest neurotoxin Jeuveau hit the market in 2020. Early results suggest it is comparable to Botox in reducing wrinkles. Long term safety and duration data is still limited.

Which Type of Botox is Best?

With multiple types of botulinum toxins now available, which should you choose for treatment of wrinkles?

The answer depends on your specific needs and concerns as all the toxins are generally considered safe and effective for reducing wrinkles when used properly:

• Botox remains the gold standard in terms of extensive experience and proven results over decades of cosmetic use.
• Dysport may offer more value for the price but can wear off sooner than Botox for some patients.
• Xeomin is a great option if you want to minimize the proteins that could trigger an immune reaction.
• Jeuveau is the newest kid on the block but may match Botox for efficacy and duration in more studies.

Finding an experienced provider you trust is key to achieving natural looking results no matter which product you choose.

Are Certain Types of Botox More Dangerous?

All FDA-approved botulinum toxins have an impressive safety track record when used appropriately. However, illegally imported fake Botox sold "off-label" can be extremely dangerous and should always be avoided.

One research study tested products labeled as Botox or Dysport that were purchased online from unreliable sources outside the regulated supply chain. 95% of these products turned out to be counterfeit, with incorrect doses of toxin that could cause side effects or lack efficacy.

Be very cautious of Botox deals that sound too good to be true from unqualified providers. Your face is not worth the risk to save a few bucks!

Can You Become Resistant to Botox?

In rare cases, using botulinum toxin for many years could make it stop working as well due to antibodies that make it less effective. This is known as a secondary nonresponse.

Your doctor can test for blocking antibodies to see if they could be interfering and switch toxin types. Taking at least a 2-3 month break between sessions may also help prevent your body from developing a resistance.

Finding the Best Botox Provider

While all types of botulinum toxins approved for cosmetic use are generally safe, much of your treatment success comes down to the skill level of your provider.

Be sure that you choose an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist for optimal safety and aesthetically pleasing wrinkle reduction results.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.