Neuromodulators
Conveniently located to serve Beverly Hills,
Hollywood, Los Angeles, NYC, and Miami.
INJECTABLE RELAXERS
Neuromodulators, or injectable relaxers, are the gold standard treatment for movement lines and wrinkles, particularly those on the forehead, around the eyes, and between the eyebrows. Board-certified dermatologist and facial sculpting pioneer Dr. Jason Emer provides natural-looking enhancements with injectable relaxer treatments like Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin. A safe, effective, and minimally invasive solution for restoring a youthful look, injectable relaxers are highly popular among Dr. Emer’s patients in Beverly Hills.
WHAT ARE NEUROMODULATORS?
Neuromodulators like Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin are injected to temporarily “freeze” and relax overused muscles to smooth out wrinkles and folds. Injectable relaxers have a variety of applications but are most commonly used to rejuvenate the face.
Our faces are designed for dramatic expression. We raise our brows, scrunch up our noses, and purse our lips to show the world how we feel. Over time, those muscle movements are etched into our skin. Our movement lines become visible at rest, resulting in unwanted lines, folds, and wrinkles.
Once injected, neuromodulators work to block the nerve signals that cause the treated muscles to contract. As a result, the muscle weakens and slows its activity, and lines and wrinkles are released.
Over the course of several weeks, the body metabolizes the neuromodulator. Without retreatment, the muscle will start receiving nerve signals and contracting again, and the lines and folds will return. Ongoing injectable relaxer treatments are needed to maintain consistent results.
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AM I A CANDIDATE FOR NEUROMODULATOR TREATMENTS?
WHAT CAN INJECTABLE RELAXERS TREAT?
Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin can be used to address cosmetic concerns throughout the face. Neuromodulators can also be used to treat certain medical conditions.
Injectable relaxers are most commonly used to rejuvenate and sculpt the face. Dr. Emer often recommends neuromodulators to treat:
- Forehead creases
- Glabellar lines
- Crow’s feet
- Nose wrinkles or creases (“bunny lines”)
- Lip lines
- Horizontal neck lines (“tech neck”)
- Vertical neck lines/platysmal bands
- Jawline concerns (“Nefertiti Lift”)
Additionally, neuromodulators can be injected for medical reasons. Injectable relaxers can help reduce migraines and improve excessive sweating (“hyperhidrosis”) on the palms, scalp, buttocks, underarms, and genitals/scrotum.
Neuromodulators can also prevent the formation of deep wrinkles. For younger patients without visible wrinkles, Dr. Emer may suggest microdroplets of Botox (“Baby Botox”) as part of an anti-aging protocol.
BOTOX, DYSPORT, JEUVEAU, AND XEOMIN: WHICH IS BEST FOR ME?
RIGHT FOR YOU?
Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin all essentially perform the same function: relaxing or “freezing” the targeted muscles. Each of these neuromodulators contains botulinum toxin type A as the active ingredient, but there are differences in how each relaxer is formulated.
The injector and his or her expertise is the most important factor when it comes to injectable relaxers. An experienced, board-certified dermatologist like Dr. Jason Emer can evaluate your skin and determine which neuromodulator will best suit your needs. Dr. Emer understands the subtle, yet important differences in how each product diffuses as well as how to determine the proper dosage with each type of neuromodulator.
DYSPORT
Dr. Emer has found that Dysport tends to diffuse more than Botox or Jeuveau and is softer at the edges. It is often the preferred treatment for areas such as the eyes or neck that benefit from the spreading of the product. Dysport can also work well in larger treatment areas such as the scalp, groin, armpits, or larger foreheads.
Dysport results can appear quicker than with other neuromodulators, but retreatment is often required more frequently than with other relaxers. Dysport is not suitable for patients who are allergic to lactose, as the formula contains protein from cow’s milk.
XEOMIN
Xeomin is the only neuromodulator product that is highly purified in order to remove accessory proteins. Patients who may be allergic to or don’t respond to Botox, Dysport, or Jeuveau may have more success with Xeomin.
Xeomin results last about the same length of time as Botox, Dysport, and Jeuveau. However, it can take a little longer for Xeomin to take effect and deliver visible results.
JEUVEAU
Jeuveau is the newest FDA-approved cosmetic relaxer on the market. Its formula is similar to that of Botox, though Jeuveau provides visible results in less time. Dr. Emer can inject this relaxer to treat glabellar lines, smaller foreheads, and the corners of the mouth.
BOTOX
Botox was the first FDA-approved neuromodulator and is the most popular injectable relaxer on the market. Botox is a more targeted, focused treatment than Dysport, which makes it ideal for areas such as the corners of the mouth, chin, eyebrows (“11” lines), and shorter/smaller foreheads. Dr. Emer also uses Botox to help patients alleviate migraines and excessive sweating. Botox results can last three to four months before retreatment is needed.
EXPECTATIONS & PROCEDURES
Dr. Emer performs injectable relaxer treatments in-office at his West Hollywood medical practice. Neuromodulator injections typically take about 10 to 15 minutes.
Most patients tolerate the injection process with ease. A mild pinching sensation is often experienced at the injection site.
Neuromodulators can start to take effect within three to seven days of your injections. In some cases, it may take 10 to 14 days to see visible results.
Improvements typically last for two to four months. The longevity of your results will depend on your body’s unique response to the treatment and the specific areas treated.
Patients who are highly active or athletic and/or those who are more expressive may find that their injectable relaxer results do not last quite as long. In these cases, Dr. Emer may recommend a higher dosage or an alternate treatment approach to best achieve and maintain your desired outcome.
The forehead is the one place where it is most obvious if a person has had “work” done (particularly for men). This difficult-to-treat area requires an expert’s hand and a subtle approach.
Dr. Emer uses a variety of techniques to rejuvenate the forehead based on the patient’s treatment goals and anatomy. For those who want no changes to their eyebrows (or eyebrow shape), Dr. Emer can balance wrinkles and movement in this area by injecting relaxers or “freezers” into the glabellar lines and crow’s feet.
Alternatively, he can perform an eyebrow lift (or Chemical Brow Lift) to restore a youthful look to the brow and forehead. He can then lightly soften the lines across the forehead with small aliquots (or baby doses) of the neuromodulator.
In addition to relaxers and “freezers,” Dr. Emer can inject dermal fillers superficially into the forehead lines and wrinkles to improve aging lines. He uses soft fillers like Belotero for forehead lines rather than using thicker or more robust fillers that can result in unintended lumps or swelling in the creases.
For female patients who have a fuller, broader, or squared-off jawline (and, in particular, those who have TMJ or grind their teeth and therefore see enlargement in this area), Dr. Emer injects Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, or Xeomin into the masseter muscle to “freeze” or relax the overworked muscle. The result is a slimmer, contoured jawline; a softer, more rounded jaw; and a heart-shaped face.
Aside from their muscle relaxing and “freezing” capabilities, Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin have been shown to shrink enlarged pores and reduce oil production in those with thick, porous, or oily skin. To improve the overall appearance and texture of the skin, Dr. Emer uses micro-ampule infusion / AQUAGOLD Fine Touch microneedling to infuse patient-specific serums, vitamins, nutrients, fillers, and neuromodulators into the skin.
By infusing these products superficially, Dr. Emer is able to decrease redness for patients with rosacea, melasma, and hyperpigmentation. He can also rejuvenate and hydrate the skin, relieve congested pores, decrease milia (the pearly bumps in the skin), control acne flares, improve overall skin texture, and prevent skin cancers long-term.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For those who spend a great deal of time staring down at their phone, this routine posture can have long-term effects in the form of “Tech Neck” (or “Millennial Neck”). Tech Neck is characterized by horizontal lines that run along the neck.
Dr. Emer uses soft fillers like Belotero to reduce wrinkles and folds and neuromodulators such as Dysport to relax the movement lines in the neck and prevent or slow the formation of lines and wrinkles. Incorporating laser treatments and microneedling with PRP further enhances his patients’ outcomes.
Vertical bands in the neck (or platysmal bands) are formed through overuse of the platysma, a superficial muscle that spans from the upper chest to the lower face. As the platysma muscle contracts, it can cause prominent vertical bands to form over time.
Dr. Emer uses Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, or Xeomin to weaken the platysma muscle and soften the bands. He will often complement “freezers” with skin tightening treatments such as InMode FaceTite, Ultherapy, or Thermage and/or thread lifting (Silhouette InstaLift or NovaThreads). More significant banding or skin laxity in the neck may require a surgical neck lift (platysmaplasty) procedure.
For female patients who have a fuller, broader, or squared-off jawline (and, in particular, those who have TMJ or grind their teeth and therefore see enlargement in this area), Dr. Emer injects Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, or Xeomin into the masseter muscle to “freeze” or relax the overworked muscle. The result is a slimmer, contoured jawline; a softer, more rounded jaw; and a heart-shaped face.
It’s a common misconception that men should avoid neuromodulators for fear of looking “overdone,” “frozen,” or “feminized.” However, the truth is that freezers can be an effective cosmetic treatment for anyone looking to appear more youthful, approachable, and attractive.
Botox for men (or “Brotox”) is more popular than ever before, particularly when used for wrinkle and fine line prevention. It is important to see an expert in neuromodulators and facial sculpting with injectables to avoid any undesired changes to your appearance.
A new trend in neuromodulator treatments for men is “Scrotox.” This procedure employs injectable relaxers to treat excessive sweating in the genital area for up to four months.
Also known as scowl lines, frown lines, or “11” lines, the glabellar lines are the two vertical creases that gradually develop between the eyebrows as we age. As these lines form and deepen, they can give you a grumpy or unapproachable appearance.
To soften these lines and prevent wrinkles from forming, Dr. Emer injects Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, or Xeomin into the glabellar complex, directly into the procerus and corrugator muscles, and above the eyebrows. For deeper glabellar lines or strong “11” lines, Dr. Emer uses a combination of relaxers with injectable fillers, laser treatments, and microneedling with PRP.
Another group of muscles we tend to overuse are those on the sides of our nose, causing the formation of nose wrinkles or “bunny lines.” When combined with laser treatments, microneedling with PRP, and injectable fillers for volume loss or fine wrinkle formation, injectable relaxers work well to improve these wrinkles and provide long-term prevention. For deeper creases, fillers can be used to contour and shape the nose area (also known as a liquid nose job or rhinoplasty).
The muscles around our mouth are some of the most overworked muscles on our face, creating lines above, below, and at the corners of our lips. By injecting a small amount of relaxers or “freezers” into this area, Dr. Emer can trigger the muscles to relax, cause the vertical lines to soften, and even give the lip a “flip.”
For deeper lines around the mouth, Dr. Emer will often pair neuromodulators with injectable fillers such as Restylane Silk, Belotero, or Juvederm Volbella. He may also recommend deep facial peels, microneedling RF (such as Fractora or Morpheus), CO2 laser resurfacing, and/or Renuvion (J-Plasma) helium plasma radiofrequency to optimize your results.
INJECTABLE RELAXERS
Dr. Emer’s extensive experience with injectable relaxers allows him to safely and effectively treat diverse patients and a wide range of cosmetic concerns. He understands that the art of using injectable relaxers or “freezers” requires identifying the proper injection location and using a conservative approach.
Dr. Emer customizes the dosage for each patient depending on the condition of their skin and their ultimate aesthetic goals. Too high a dose gives you a long-term result but with a frozen, unnatural look, that is incapable of expression. Too little a dose, and you’ll see very little or no improvement. Dr. Emer uses a conservative dosing approach to prevent a “heavy” look, such as fallen brows (forehead) or fallen eyelids (eyebrows) that can occur when an injector is inexperienced.
Dr. Emer has also developed numerous methods of enhancing neuromodulator treatment results with complementary treatments. Depending on your desired outcome, he may use injectable relaxers in conjunction with dermal fillers, skin rejuvenation therapies, fat removal, or other minimally invasive procedures as needed to sculpt your ideal facial contours.