While people dread to grow old, ageing is an inevitable cycle of life. However, the fact that you are older does not mean you should look the part. Enter botulinum toxin, popularly known as botox, which contains anti-ageing properties that keep your skin looking young and vibrant.
There are four main types of botox treatments grouped into two main categories. The first category, Type A, include botox, Xeomin, and Dysport. The second, Type B, include Neurobloc. There’s a new type, known as Jeuveau®, which is targeted at the Millennials and is giving Botox a run for its money.
The key to a successful botox procedure is to be attended to by a professional who understands how it works on different people. The five types of Botulinum toxin are identified by their degree of activation, molecular size, and how they react to different individuals. The clinical performance of various botulinum preparations depends on their features.
Check out these five different types of botox procedures:
Type #1: Botox/Vistabel
If you want to get rid of fine lines and wrinkles, you have probably considered botox. It is the leading non-surgical brand of Botulinum A toxin. Since it has passed all clinical trials, the majority of people around the world prefer it over the other types. It is popular among people with crow’s feet and glabellar lines (the vertical lines that develop between the eyebrows as a result of frowning).
Botox comes in a vial dose. Its formulation can treat the following conditions besides wrinkles and glabellar lines: auxiliary hyperhidrosis, cervical dystonia, hemifacial spasm, and blepharospasm. It can also treat a foot deformity known as dynamic equinus, which is common among cerebral palsy patients aged two years and above. If one has spasticity in the upper limb caused by a stroke, they can procure botox to treat hand and wrist disabilities as well.
Type #2: Dysport/Azzalure
This type of Botox has a type A Botulinum toxin that is produced by Ipsen, a French company. Dysport® aims to treat moderate and severe frown lines, particularly in people younger than 65 years. Dysport can also treat cervical dystonia, blepharospasm, and hemifacial spasm.
Avoid Dysport treatment if you have in the past had an allergic reaction to other botox products, are allergic to Dysport or cow’s milk protein. You should also avoid this treatment if you are under 18 years, or are pregnant or lactating. A Dysport dose is not similar to that of other botox products you have used in the past.
Type #3: Xeomin
Perhaps the most innovative botox Type A treatment, Xeomin employs extensive purification to get rid of complexing proteins from botox. Unlike other Type A toxins, Xeomin has 150 kD neurotoxin. Besides the cosmetic application, it treats cervical dystonia and blepharospasm.
A bacterial protein in other products that makes them less potent activates an immune reaction. According to clinical studies, compared to other types of botox, Xeomin has the lowest protein content. The studies further contend that repeated high doses of this treatment do not produce neutralizing antibodies. As a result, it is as effective as other types of botox procedures in providing lasting results, but without the risk of anti-bodies formation.
Type #4: Jeuveau®
This is a new botox treatment that was approved only for cosmetic use by the FDA in February 2019. Marketed as the “#NEWTOX”, Evolus, its manufacturer, hopes to give Botox® a run for its money. Like the latter, Jeuveau® also weighs 900 kDa and is formulated using sodium chloride and human albumin. It, however, costs between 20% and 30% less than Botox® and mainly targets millennials.
Clinical data on Jeuveau® is scant since the product is new, although initial trials indicate that it has the same efficacy and safety profile as botox. You will start seeing results within three to five days, which last for a minimum of three and a maximum of six months.
Type #5: NeuroBloc
This is another botulinum toxin mainly used to treat torticollis, also known as cervical dystonia, among adults. Only doctors with experience treating cervical dystonia and who have administered botulinum toxins should carry out this procedure. It can only be applied from a hospital.
While clinical studies note that its efficacy depends on the dosage, there is no documented evidence of significant variation between the 10,000 U and 5,000 U doses, which means that the first dose of 5000 U would work, but 10,000 U is likely to enhance its success. To minimize pain and maintain function, the injections should be repeated as advised by the physician.
While the recommended dosing frequency is twelve weeks, it may vary from patient to patient. Some require sixteen-week intervals or longer. Therefore, the dosing frequency is determined on a case-by-case basis, especially given a patient’s muscle mass. NeuroBloc is suitable only for intramuscular administration. Besides the approved application on people with cervical dystonia, its safety otherwise is yet to be ascertained. It should not be administered on children.
The critical differences between the various types of botulinum toxin are in their formulation, dosage, and duration of application. The right application depends on your condition and what you aim to achieve. Whichever the case, seek the advice of an expert cosmetician before settling on one over the other.
