Myth: Neuromodulators such as Botox® and fillers are the same.

Botox® and our other neuromodulators, such as Dysport®, Xeomin®, and Daxxify™, help prevent dynamic lines from repeated muscle use during expression.  Areas such as the “number 11 frown lines” between the brows, horizontal forehead lines, and crow’s feet around the eyes are all common examples.  Fillers help restore volume to areas where we have lost skin elasticity, bony support, and fat pads. Temples, cheekbones, lips, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines are frequent areas for filler injections.

Myth:  Botox® and other neuromodulators give instant results.

Most people begin to see results in less than a week, but it may take longer for some individuals. If you are new to the procedure, we have you return to our office after two weeks to assess if you need a dose adjustment.

Myth:  Botox® and other neuromodulators are a poison.

Actually, they are a purified substance derived from bacteria.  It has an excellent safety record and was FDA-approved for aesthetics over 20 years ago.  The other neuromodulators are the same Botulinum toxin type A and have excellent safety profiles.

Myth:  My treatment didn’t work as I still had a very slight amount of movement.

Neuromodulators are FDA-approved to improve the appearance of your wrinkles.  It was never intended to “freeze” your face where nothing moves.  After treatment, you should look natural with less severe wrinkles.

Myth:  Injectable neuromodulators and fillers are intended only for women.

Men are one of the fastest-growing demographic in the field of aesthetics now!  All of our injectors understand the different facial characteristics of feminine and masculine features. During your pre-treatment consultation, we ensure we understand every patient’s aesthetic goals.

Myth:  I should wait until I am at least 50 to start injectables; that way, I will get my money’s worth with deeper wrinkles and jowls.

People in their 20s and 30s are the other fast-growing group requesting aesthetic treatments. We now know it is better to start earlier than later as we can prevent some facial aging with less product.  It is much like losing weight; it is much easier to lose a few pounds than 30.  Treatment for younger patients is called Prejuvenation, designed to prevent wrinkles and volume loss before they are noticeable, and Rejuvenation is for older patients with established wrinkles and lost volume.

Myth:  Two syringes of filler is way too much for my face!

One syringe is typically 1 ml which is a fifth of a teaspoon.  Most people benefit from adding some volume to the midface, perioral area, jawline, and marionette lines.  We use different filler products based on the area, skin thickness, age, ethnicity, and other factors. We will often inject three to four syringes in one visit when addressing multiple areas of concern. Our expertise allows us to give natural results with as little product as possible to achieve your goals.

Myth:  If I quit using neuromodulators or dermal fillers, my face will look worse than if I never started.

You will actually look better even if you stop your treatments.  For the time your neuromodulator lasted, it stopped you from making the wrinkle-forming expressions “or folding the piece of paper,” as I like to say.  Many dermal fillers are bio-stimulatory and help your body produce new collagen. In both cases, some of the effects of your treatment are residual.

I hope this helps dispel some of the myths associated with injectable treatments. Your results will be natural and subtle in the hands of an experienced and skilled injector. Please call our office to schedule a consultation with one of our injectors to discuss your aesthetic goals and options.

– Nena Clark-Christoff, RN, CANS, Aesthetic Nurse Injector