Blog Post Title Four

What Is a Neurotoxin? Understanding How It Works and Why It Matters

When you hear the word neurotoxin, it might sound a little intimidating—but it’s actually a scientific term with a very specific meaning. In simple terms, a neurotoxin is any substance that affects the way nerves communicate with each other or with muscles. Some neurotoxins occur naturally, while others are made synthetically for medical or cosmetic use.

The Science Behind Neurotoxins

Your nervous system controls everything your body does—from breathing and blinking to smiling and frowning. It does this through chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. These messengers carry signals from your nerves to your muscles, telling them when to contract.

A neurotoxin works by temporarily blocking these signals, preventing the muscle from receiving the “contract” message. The result? The muscle relaxes.

How Neurotoxins Are Used in Aesthetics

In aesthetic medicine, neurotoxins are used to create a refreshed, natural appearance—not to freeze expression, but to relax overactive muscles that cause lines to deepen over time. Common treatment areas include:

• Forehead lines

• Frown lines (the “11s” between the brows)

• Crow’s feet around the eyes

Results usually appear within 4-14 and last about 3 months, depending on the individual and the area treated.

What Neurotoxins should I use?

There are many brands of Neurotoxin on the market. As with any medication, is is often trial and error as to what will work the best for each individual. Botox is the most common toxin in America. Other brands include Xeomin, Dyspot, Jeuveau, Daxxify and Lettybo. I use Botox and Xeomin most often but am able to order other toxins per client request.