Neuromodulators stop muscles from contracting. They had other uses long before they were put into service fighting wrinkles. In the early 2000s, neuromodulators were approved by the FDA for cosmetic use for moderate to severe frown lines, and lines between the eyebrows. Neuromodulators are now established in correcting the forehead, Glabella (the 11’s), and crow’s feet around the eyes. If you’re not familiar with how neuromodulators do their magic, here’s a quick primer.
Neuromodulators are made from the botulinum toxin type A, the same bacteria that causes botulism. A few decades back, doctors discovered that when delivered in very small amounts this toxin could temporarily paralyze a muscle.
It does this by blocking the signals from the muscle’s nerves to the brain. Because the brain does not receive the message, it doesn’t contract the muscle. The botulinum toxin type A has even proven effective at treating migraine headaches and excessive underarm sweating.
But it was not until it was tried on facial wrinkles that the toxin became famous. When we perform common behaviors such as frowning or squinting, certain muscles contract and form wrinkles on the surface above. Over time those wrinkles can become more permanent due to these repeated contractions. Neuromodulators stop the muscles from contracting, so the wrinkles on the surface don’t form or are far less apparent.
