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Neurotoxins and Laser and Energy Device Procedures

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There are several treatments available in cosmetic dermatology that are safe and effective.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Filza Hafeez

Published At February 13, 2024
Reviewed AtMarch 15, 2024

Introduction

Cosmetic dermatology is a well-known subspecialty that provides various safe and effective stand-alone therapies. Combining these techniques could produce results comparable to those from more intrusive cosmetic operations. The safety of using neuromodulators for both medical and cosmetic purposes is astounding. Even though cosmetic and functional side effects are uncommon, the patient and clinician must know the risks associated with each anatomic location before treatment. Botulinum toxins are employed therapeutically to treat a range of diseases and illnesses. New esthetic indications have also surfaced, and the use of combination therapy has increased, to address the effects of global aging.

How Does Laser Therapy Work?

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation is referred to as "LASER" in short. When properly focused, a laser is a source of very energetic light with a single wavelength (one color) that may be delivered onto a very small area to produce the required effects. Lasers emit light at a single wavelength, making them monochromatic.

In cosmetic procedures, lasers operate by a selective photothermolysis procedure, which involves varying the frequency at which heat (thermo) is produced in the precise region that will be destroyed (lysis). Lasers produce a light beam whose wavelength matches the target's color, regardless of whether the target has a skin condition like brown spots, broken red capillaries, or another color.

Ablative and non-ablative lasers are the two types of lasers that are being used. The two types of lasers used most frequently for cosmetic operations are ablative and non-ablative.

Ablative lasers vaporize the top layers of damaged skin, whereas non-ablative lasers work deeper into the skin without removing or damaging the top layers. Because of this, there will not be any downtime (when the top layers of skin heal) following cosmetic surgery that only uses non-ablative laser technology.

What Kinds of Lasers or Cosmetic Procedures Are There?

These two basic lasers come in various brand names, variants, and laser-type categories. The wavelength of each type of laser serves as the main criterion for selection when treating various skin problems. The surgeon might advise combining multiple additional lasers as a result.

  • Wrinkles and Fine Lines: An aggressive ablative laser can perform skin-tightening and resurfacing operations concurrently. Examples of such lasers include CO2 (carbon dioxide) lasers and Erbium lasers.

  • CO2 Laser: The CO2 laser is also used in laser-assisted surgery to cut the skin, remove skin tags, and remove warts. Pulsed dye lasers have also shown some promise compared to less abrasive non-laser light-based therapies, including intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) and Light-Emitting Diode (LED) photo facials.

  • Skin Tightening: Cosmetic laser procedures usually produce superficial skin tightening because they cause controlled skin damage, encouraging improved collagen synthesis. The preferred laser for tightening that needs more force, though, is a CO2 laser.

  • Darker Areas: Pulsed dye lasers are most typically used to treat pigmented lesions like sunspots, age spots, melasma, and other forms of hyperpigmentation. Examples of non-laser treatments include fractional CO2 lasers, Nd: YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) lasers, and other light-based therapies like IPL.

  • Vascular Diseases: Birthmarks like port-wine stains burst facial blood vessels, unsightly leg spider veins, spider nevi, and unsightly spider veins are examples of vascular lesions. IPL is a well-liked choice for treating particular skin issues because it requires little to no intervention. These lesions are routinely treated with Nd: YAG and diode lasers.

  • Unwanted Body Hair: The Q-switched laser and Nd: YAG are still widely used tattoo removal procedures, in addition to IPL.

How Does the Neurotoxin Affect the Skin?

A substance known as a neurotoxic affects how the nervous system functions. Neurotoxins, particularly those used in skin care products, can relax the muscles that cause wrinkles in areas like the forehead, the space between the eyebrows, and around the eyes. When injected, they can alter how some neurons operate.

What Sorts of Neurotoxins Does a Person Have?

The neurotoxins which are mainly used in cosmetology are:

  • Botox: Injections known as "Botox" use a toxin to temporarily impair muscle movement. These photos are frequently used to minimize facial wrinkles.

  • Dysport: Abobotulinumtoxin A is an injectable used to cure wrinkles. The goal of this noninvasive process is to temporarily reduce muscle action in the targeted locations in order to minimize the appearance of glabellar lines, which are the vertical wrinkles that are most noticeable between the eyebrows on the forehead.

What Important Information and Therapeutic Indications Are There?

  • Botulinum toxin has been employed as a therapeutic agent by numerous medical disciplines.

  • Neuromodulators can be used to treat abnormalities of sweating, flushing, and scar prevention in dermatology.

  • Additionally addressed are psychiatry, neurology, ophthalmology, gastroenterology, and urology/gynecology uses of neuromodulators for therapeutic purposes.

  • Off-label usage is common, and researchers are constantly investigating new applications.

  • Hypersensitive reactions to products.

  • Dermal fillers, lasers, and light sources combined for cosmetic therapy.

Important Points

  • Combining neurotoxic therapy with soft tissue augmentation for static facial rhytids results in more improvement and longer-lasting effects.

  • By administering a toxin and waiting a short while before administering filler, the overall amount of filler required can be reduced; nonetheless, many patients prefer to receive therapy similarly.

  • Neurotoxins and energy-based devices work better together than they do independently.

What Side Effects Can Be Expected From Combination Laser, Light, and Dermal Filler Therapy?

  • Erythema, bruising, soreness at the injection site, and transient headaches are the most frequent side effects.

  • An injection into a pilosebaceous unit can reduce pain.

  • Injections with a very low volume and superficial depth could remove any negative functional or cosmetic adverse effects.

  • A few uncommon side effects of platysma injection include dysphagia, hoarseness, and neck flexor weakness.

  • Neurotoxins are remarkably risk-free. The injection technique, dose, or volume cause most reactions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the use of neuromodulators continues to revolutionize medical practice. These medications' excellent safety records, minimally invasive procedures, and general simplicity of administration for the doctor all add to the appeal. As new indications are continuously found in the dermatologic and non-dermatologic literature, the usability and ubiquity of these medications are spreading across numerous specializations.

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Dr. Filza Hafeez

Dermatology

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laserneurotoxins and laser and energy device procedures
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