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Is Botox Still the Frontrunner in Cosmetic Dermatology?

Most people have heard of Botox, the wonder drug that changed the anti-aging scene forever. Botox is the injectable solution that millions of people turn to every year to take years off of their face. As cosmetic dermatology and surgery techniques have evolved, though, there have been murmurs of an upset in the anti-aging arena. Could Botox be outdone by alternatives that have been developed over the years? Let’s see.

What is Botox?

Botox Cosmetic is the most well-known botulinum toxin A product, and the first to use the neurotoxin for aesthetic purposes. Before Botox, botulinum toxin A was used only for therapeutic results. The way that this ingredient works is by attaching to receptors in muscle tissue that accept messages from nerve cells. For messages to transfer, they need a vehicle, and that is the chemical acetylcholine. When botulinum toxin A is injected into the muscle, acetylcholine production is temporarily disabled. As a result, the treated muscle does not contract as strongly.

Why Botox has been so Popular

It is no surprise that, even with early concerns related to the botulinum toxin, Botox has been a massive hit around the world. The ingredient in this product is not only purified, but it has been widely studied for therapeutic value. When the cosmetic benefits of botulinum toxin A were discovered, there was no looking back. Botox treatment takes only a short office visit every few months. Injections are administered with such a tiny needle that discomfort is kept to the bare minimum. After treatment, there is no downtime, and results appear gradually over about a week.

Alternatives are Making Waves

As advantageous and convenient as Botox is, there are a few alternatives that are getting attention lately.

  • Light and energy-based technologies, such as Sublime skin contouring, have become increasingly popular in the past few years. These treatments deliver controlled energy through the epidermis to the underlying tissue where collagen is produced. As collagen is remodeled with healthy new cells, skin looks smoother and younger.
  • This injectable treatment is also based on botulinum toxin A, but has no additional ingredients. They call Xeomin the “naked injectable” because it has no protective proteins to weigh down the neurotoxin. The benefit of this is that a patient is far less likely to develop antibody resistance against the wrinkle-reducer.

Can innovative new treatments de-throne Botox as the King of all injectables? Probably not. However, it is beneficial to know what your options are so you can choose the most appropriate way to keep your face looking fresh.

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