Category: Dermal Fillers

Botox treatment is the #1 most requested and performed cosmetic procedure. It is quick and easy, and you can go back to your day almost immediately. It used to be the big secret that your friends didn’t know about, and mostly middle-aged women and older got Botox to improve their existing wrinkles. However, cultural trends have shifted in the last 10 years. The overall stigma surrounding it has decreased significantly, and younger people are getting Botox and posting about it on social media. Men are getting Botox too, aka Brotox. As of July 2020, #Botox has been used more than 7.5 million times on Instagram. You may ask, why get Botox if you are too young to have wrinkles?

Physical Differences

If you’re under 30, chances are you have no wrinkles around your eyes or on your forehead. When you raise your eyebrows or squint, you may or may not see faint wrinkles. Why is that? When you are young, your skin is able to spring back to normal aftWher making a facial expression. Unfortunately, as we age our skin gets thinner, drier, and less elastic, resulting in deeper permanent lines.

Treatment

Botox is used to treat fine lines and wrinkles that happen when you make strong facial expressions again and again over years. Botox works by relaxing muscles and softening facial expressions. What happens over time is the skin looks smoother. If you start before you even have wrinkles, you can prevent the onset of wrinkles for a very long time!

Though widely known as Botox, many other neurotoxin brands such as Xeomin, Dysport, and Jeuveau work in much the same way. During your consultation with Dr. Kim, please note that we carry these four brands of neurotoxin according to your preferences and goals. Treatment involves a series of injections with a very thin needle. The effects usually last about 3 months, so regular treatment with your professional injector is recommended.

Dr. Kim is a fellowship trained facial plastic surgeon with extensive experience in Botox injections. For more information about this and other facial cosmetic treatments, please call or text Jae Kim, MD Facial Plastic Surgery at 703-705-2100 to schedule your free consultation!

There are currently four neurotoxin products on the US market: Botox, Jeuveau, Dysport, and Xeomin. In purely cosmetic terms, these are injections performed by medical professionals to relax muscles that make unwanted wrinkles and facial expressions. They can also decrease sweating in certain areas of the body like the armpits. Botox is the most popular one by name, and the brand name is often associated with the procedure, just like the word Uber is generally known to mean rideshare.

What are the four products, and how are they unique?

Introduced in 1977 as a treatment for strabismus (issues with weak eye muscles), Botox has solidified itself as a frontrunner in the neurotoxin market and is by far the most widely recognized brand. Botox is made by Allergan in the USA and is FDA approved to treat glabellar lines, forehead wrinkles, and crow’s feet. It has also recently been approved to assist in the treatment of chronic migraines. What makes this product unique is since it’s the oldest neurotoxin on the market, there are lots of studies available to support its use and efficacy. Allergan continues to push research to expand FDA approval for other areas. Results can be seen as early as 3-5 days after treatment.

Jeuveau is the newest neurotoxin on the market. Manufactured in South Korea by Evolus, it was approved by the FDA for cosmetic use about one year ago. Indicated for use on the glabellar lines, Jeuveau is quickly cementing itself as a key contender in the neurotoxin market. A study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal concluded that Jeuveau was not inferior to Botox in its efficacy. Jeuveau boasts an average onset of 2-3 days which sets this neurotoxin apart from its competitors.

Dysport comes from Galderma, which is headquartered in Switzerland. What makes this product unique is that it spreads to a wider surface area. This makes it especially good for use on the forehead and other large areas of the body. Many male patients prefer Dysport for that reason. Some patients have reported an effect within 24 hours of injection.

Xeomin is a neurotoxin manufactured by Merz, headquartered in Germany, as an alternative to the above neurotoxins. Though very uncommon, it is possible for your body to develop toxin-blocking antibodies. However, due to the peptides contained in this product, it is harder for your body to develop immunity to the effects caused by neurotoxin; this is what makes this product unique. Xeomin may be appropriate for patients who do not seem to get the desired effect after years of treatment with another neurotoxin.

Onset of Action

Botox: 3-5 days Jeuveau: 2-3 days Dysport: Within 24 hours Xeomin: 5-7 days How long does it last? The effects of all neurotoxins should last 3-4 months, sometimes longer. It takes that long for the injection to wear off and the body to regain the ability to trigger muscle movement. For this reason, it’s important to establish a neurotoxin regimen to maintain optimal results.

Conclusion

At this point, there is no single product that is the best for everyone. Dysport or Xeomin may work better for some people, while Botox or Jeuveau may work better for others. All four companies exhibit the highest quality in their product, and the indications and dosing for approved use continue to improve. Call Jae Kim, MD Facial Plastic Surgery at (703) 705-2100 to learn more about neurotoxins, as well as our other services!

The unfortunate truth is that the aging process is inevitable, and we often see it in our faces as we mature. The key to a youthful appearance lies in two vital proteins in our bodies: collagen and elastin. The framework of collagen and elastin under the skin is key to its integrity and durability, but over time it becomes looser and less organized, leading to a less youthful appearance. Keep reading to learn more about warding off saggy skin with dermal fillers Fairfax, VA.

Collagen

Collagen is the framework for many of our tissues.  This plentiful protein is found in many body parts such as bones, muscles, tendons, and even our teeth! The word is derived from the greek word “kolla” which means glue, and its job is to hold organs and tissues of the body together. In young people, the body produces collagen in ample amounts to protect and strengthen tissues, including skin. However, collagen production begins to decline at age 25 and continues to decrease with age. It is this decline that leads to saggy skin, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Elastin

Elastin is less well-known than collagen, but it is an important protein that gives skin the ability to stretch. It also allows skin to have the “bounce back” effect, meaning that when we pull or stretch our skin, it snaps back to its original place.  As we age, elastin production declines as well, which results in less bounce in our skin. This manifests in permanent facial wrinkles, even at rest, as well as saggy crepey skin.

Treatment Options

Though there is no way to prevent the decrease of collagen and elastin, there are ways to help replace the volume due to their natural loss. The most immediate results occur with the use of hyaluronic acid fillers. While most commonly used fillers do not contain collagen, some fillers contain properties that help stimulate collagen production, even after they have dissolved. The effects of fillers can last up to 2 years, and downtime is minimal. At Jae Kim, MD Facial Plastic Surgery we offer the following brands of dermal fillers Fairfax, VA: Juvederm, Restylane, and Radiesse. They are used in various areas of the face that lose volume, including your temples, cheeks, lips, nasolabial folds, and jawline.

Quality medical grade skincare products also stimulate the cells that make collagen and elastin. By implementing a consistent skincare regimen with quality ingredients, we can help replenish the skin and boost collagen production.  Some popular skincare products that help support healthy collagen and elastin production in the ALASTIN Skincare line is the best-selling Restorative Eye Treatment, Restorative Skin Complex, Renewal Retinols, and HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen. ALASTIN Skincare’s patented Tri-Hex Technology® is specifically engineered to work with the skin to clear out the old collagen and elastin framework that has been damaged by sun exposure and aging, allowing the body to lay down a new foundation for healthier skin.

Dermal Fillers Fairfax, VA

If you have further questions or concerns about aging changes and dermal fillers Fairfax, VA, please call (703) 705-2100 to book your consultation at Jae Kim, MD Facial Plastic Surgery, or send an email to info@jaekimmd.com!