Neurotoxins for Wrinkles, Jawline Slimming & More: What You Need to Know

Neurotoxin treatments are used in aesthetic medicine to temporarily relax muscles. They may be considered for concerns such as frown lines, lines around the eyes, or a prominent jaw muscle. It may also be used to treat excessive sweating.

This guide explains how these treatments work, what an appointment may involve, and what to consider before deciding whether the treatment is right for you.

What are neurotoxins?

In aesthetic medicine, neurotoxins are prescription medicines that temporarily reduce communication between nerves and selected muscles. This helps reduce muscle contractions in the treated area, which may soften the appearance of certain expression-related lines.

Many facial wrinkles develop over time from repeated movements such as frowning, squinting and raising the eyebrows. When the same muscles contract repeatedly, lines may gradually become more noticeable, particularly as the skin loses some of its elasticity with age.

By temporarily reducing the activity of specific muscles, neurotoxin treatments may help soften these lines while allowing other facial muscles to continue functioning. The aim is to address the concerns identified during a medical assessment while taking into account your natural facial expressions and desired outcome.

Neurotoxins are not the same as dermal fillers. While neurotoxins work by reducing activity in selected muscles, dermal fillers are used to restore or add volume in appropriate areas. The two treatments address different concerns, and the most suitable option depends on the underlying cause of the concern.

How do neurotoxins work?

To understand how neurotoxins work, it helps to know how nerves communicate with muscles.

1. Nerves send signals to muscles

When you frown, smile or raise your eyebrows, your nervous system sends electrical signals along the nerves to the relevant muscles. At the connection between a nerve and a muscle, a chemical messenger called acetylcholine is released. This messenger tells the muscle to contract.

2. Neurotoxins temporarily reduce muscle activity

Neurotoxins act at these nerve-to-muscle connections by reducing the release of acetylcholine. With fewer signals reaching the targeted muscle, its contractions become weaker for a period of time.

3. Expression-related lines may appear softer

When a treated muscle contracts less strongly, the skin above it may fold less prominently during facial expressions. This can soften the appearance of dynamic wrinkles, which are lines that become more visible when you move your face.

With repeated facial movements and natural ageing, some dynamic wrinkles may eventually become visible even when the face is at rest. These are often called static wrinkles.

Neurotoxin treatment may soften the movement-related component of these lines, but it does not directly replace lost skin volume or reverse all signs of ageing.

The effects are temporary. As nerve-to-muscle communication gradually recovers, muscle activity returns and the treated lines may become noticeable again. The timing and degree of change vary between individuals.

What concerns may be assessed?

Neurotoxin treatments may be considered for several concerns involving muscle activity. Suitability depends on your anatomy, medical history, the specific medicine used and your doctor's assessment.

1. Frown lines between the eyebrows

Frown lines, sometimes called glabellar lines, appear between the eyebrows when you concentrate, squint or frown. They are associated with the activity of muscles that draw the eyebrows together.

Repeated contractions may make these lines more noticeable over time. Reducing the activity of selected muscles may soften their appearance, particularly when the lines are most visible during frowning.

2. Crow's feet around the eyes

Crow's feet are lines that radiate from the outer corners of the eyes, often becoming more prominent when smiling or squinting. They are associated with the contraction of the muscle surrounding the eye.

A doctor may assess the pattern and strength of these contractions when considering treatment. The goal is to address the appearance of the lines while taking care to preserve natural expressions and account for the delicate anatomy around the eyes.

3. Forehead lines

Forehead lines develop when you raise your eyebrows, primarily through the action of the frontalis muscle. This muscle also plays an important role in lifting the eyebrows and contributing to facial expression.

Reducing its activity may soften forehead lines, but excessive weakening can affect eyebrow movement or position. For this reason, assessment of eyebrow shape, eyelid position and the activity of surrounding muscles is important when determining whether treatment is appropriate.

4. Selected lower-face concerns

Certain lower-face concerns may be associated with the activity of specific muscles.

• Chin dimpling: Repeated contraction of the mentalis muscle may create a dimpled or uneven appearance on the chin.

• Gummy smile: In some cases, upper-lip movement during smiling contributes to more visible gum tissue. Selected muscles involved in lifting the upper lip may be assessed.

• Downturned mouth corners: Activity of muscles that pull the corners of the mouth downwards may contribute to this appearance.

5. A prominent masseter muscle

The masseter is one of the main muscles used for chewing. It is located at the sides of the jaw and can become more prominent in some individuals due to muscle size and activity.

Where an enlarged masseter contributes to a wider-looking lower face, reducing its activity may gradually decrease the muscle's bulk over time. This differs from treating facial fat or removing bone, and the outcome depends on the individual's anatomy.

A prominent jawline is not always caused by the masseter muscle. Bone structure, fat distribution and other anatomical features can also influence facial shape. Your doctor can assess these factors and explain the potential limitations of treatment.

6. Visible neck bands

Vertical bands in the neck may become more noticeable when certain neck muscles contract. One muscle involved is the platysma, a thin sheet of muscle extending from the lower face into the neck.

In selected cases, treatment may be considered to reduce the appearance of muscle-related neck bands. However, neck ageing can also involve skin laxity, changes in underlying support and loss of volume.

7. Certain cases of excessive sweating

Neurotoxins may also be used for certain cases of focal hyperhidrosis, a condition involving excessive sweating in specific areas, such as the underarms.

Sweat production is regulated by nerves that release acetylcholine to stimulate sweat glands. By temporarily reducing this signalling in the treated area, neurotoxins can help decrease sweat production.

This application differs from wrinkle treatment because the target is the nerve signalling involved in sweating rather than muscle contraction. A doctor can assess the pattern and severity of sweating, consider other possible causes and discuss whether this treatment is suitable.

8. Trap Tox for the Neck and Shoulder Area

Neurotoxins may also be used to target the trapezius muscles, which extend across the upper back, neck and shoulders. This application, commonly known as Trap Tox, may be considered by individuals seeking a slimmer-looking neck and shoulder profile.

By temporarily reducing muscle activity, neurotoxins can relax the targeted trapezius muscles. The resulting changes in muscle bulk may contribute to a more elongated-looking neck and less prominent shoulders over time.

Unlike wrinkle treatments that target facial muscles, Trap Tox focuses on the trapezius muscles. A doctor can assess the muscle size, anatomy and individual concerns to determine whether this treatment is suitable.

Are all wrinkles suitable for neurotoxin treatment?

No. Understanding the difference between dynamic wrinkles and other skin changes can help set realistic expectations.

Dynamic wrinkles are mainly associated with repeated muscle movements, such as frowning or squinting. These may respond to treatments that reduce activity in the relevant muscles.

Static wrinkles remain visible when the face is at rest. They may develop as a result of repeated facial movements over time, alongside changes in collagen, skin elasticity and other age-related factors. Reducing muscle activity may soften some of these lines, but deeper or more established wrinkles may not disappear completely.

Other concerns, such as skin laxity, uneven pigmentation, sun damage and loss of facial volume, have different underlying causes and may require other approaches.

A personalised assessment helps determine which factors are contributing to your concerns, whether neurotoxin treatment may be appropriate and what results are realistic for your individual needs.

When will I see a change, and how long will it last?

The timing and duration of results vary. They depend on the medicine used, the treatment area, the dose and how your body responds. The effect is temporary, and muscle activity gradually returns as the medicine wears off.

Your doctor should explain what to expect for the specific treatment being discussed. Whether to have further treatment should be decided after an individual assessment.

Frequently asked questions

Will I get a "Frozen Face"?

No. When performed by an experienced doctor with an appropriate treatment plan, neurotoxin treatments aim to soften the appearance of lines while preserving natural facial expressions.

The goal is to help you look refreshed and naturally enhanced, not frozen. Your doctor will tailor the treatment to your facial anatomy and discuss your desired results to achieve a balanced, natural-looking outcome.

Will my wrinkles get worse if I stop?

No, stopping treatment does not make your wrinkles worse. As the effects gradually wear off, muscle activity returns and your wrinkles will gradually return to their original state before treatment.

Natural ageing continues as usual, but stopping treatment does not cause wrinkles to worsen beyond what they would naturally be over time.

How long do the effects last?

The duration of results varies depending on the treatment area, dosage and individual response. The effects gradually wear off over time, and repeat treatments may be considered following a consultation with your doctor.

Is the treatment painful?

The treatment is generally well tolerated, with most people finding it manageable. Your doctor will guide you through the process and help ensure you feel as comfortable as possible throughout the procedure.

When can I expect to see results?

Results do not appear immediately and may take several days to become noticeable, with the full effects developing over approximately two weeks. The timeline varies between individuals, so your doctor can advise you on what to expect based on your treatment plan.

Neurotoxins at ICON Medical Aesthetics

At ICON Medical Aesthetics, every treatment begins with a personalized consultation to understand your concerns, facial anatomy and aesthetic goals.

Our doctors will guide you through the available options, explain what to expect and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Book a consultation with us to learn more about neurotoxin treatments and whether they may be suitable for you.