Botulinum Toxin (Dysport®/Xeomin®)

WHAT IS IT?

There are three types of botulinum toxins available in New Zealand.  They are Botox, Dysport and Xeomin.  At Clinique Elan, we use Dysport and Xeomin.  All three are Botulinum Toxin type A, but manufactured by different companies.  Dysport/Xeomin is injected into muscles to temporarily paralyse or weaken them.  They are therefore used to treat wrinkles that are created by movement.  The most common of these is the frown line between eyebrows, known as the glabella.   Fillers are used to treat lines that are present at rest, so sometimes the combination of both procedures is necessary for the ultimate result.  Most often the upper third of the face is treated with Dysport/Xeomin and lower face with fillers.  We do inject small amounts of Dysport/Xeomin into the lower face at times, but very carefully, to avoid altering someone’s smile too much (except when treating gummy smiles) or their ability to eat and talk.

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?

It takes 3-4 months for the results to gradually wear off.  In the case of frown lines, there is an accumulative effect over time, as the habit of frowning is often broken, and the muscles seem to lose their bulk and strength.  We suggest the first two treatments are done at the 3-4 month period to give a good six months of no movement, and the best chance of softening any existing lines.  Other areas will show a long-term benefit when done regularly, by softening fine lines or preventing them from getting worse.  Crow’s feet are a good example of this.

WHAT AREAS CAN BE TREATED?

Frown lines between the eyes, (the glabella), is the most common area we treat.  Crow’s feet and forehead lines are the next most requested areas.  The crow’s feet are very popular with the younger age group, but as we get older, not everyone is a suitable candidate for treatment in this area.  We are careful not to distort someone’s smile too much, especially if they have beautiful “smiley eyes”.  The same caution needs to be taken with the forehead.  We have all seen an “overdone” forehead with no movement or expression, and eyebrows that have dropped too much.  Most people prefer a natural look rather than the frozen look, so we treat each person on an individual basis.  This is why it is so important to get treatment from someone who has the right knowledge and experience.

Dysport/Xeomin takes 5-10 days to fully “kick in” and is at its maximum effect at 10-14 days.  Any touch ups needed are not done until around this time.  Following a person’s first Dysport/Xeomin treatment, we will arrange for a two-week follow up appointment to check that the result is optimal, and the client is happy.  Touch ups are not common, and are no extra charge, unless the client requests more units.  In some cases, when someone is having their first treatment, we may intentionally slightly under treat, and then top up at the two week follow up appointment.  This is done to avoid over treating (mostly forehead and crows feet) as everyone responds slightly differently and it is easy to add, but cannot be “taken away”.  Once the correct dose is established, it is recorded and used for subsequent treatments.  Follow-up is at the client’s discretion for clients having repeat treatments.