The basics
Some lines appear only while your face is moving. Others stay after it has gone still. Which kind you have affects what Botox, Xeomin, and Letybo can do for you.
In motion
Dynamic lines appear only when you make an expression. The small muscles under the skin contract, the skin folds, and a line shows. Relax the expression and the line goes with it.
Like the crease in a sheet of paper while it is being folded. Unfold it, and at first the crease fades.
At rest
Static lines are visible even when your face is completely relaxed. Years of repeated movement, along with collagen loss, sun, and time, gradually press temporary creases into permanent ones.
The crease that stays after the paper is unfolded.
The paper test
Fold a sheet of paper and a crease appears. Unfold it and the crease fades. Fold the same spot a few thousand times and the crease stays. Skin creases the same way over years of the same expressions.
How tox helps
Botox, Xeomin, and Letybo are all botulinum toxin, which temporarily relaxes the small muscles that fold the skin. Relaxing those muscles helps in three ways. For where on the face each one applies, see Face Areas.
01
Softens lines in motion
When the muscles behind expression cannot pull as hard, the “11s” pinch less deeply, the forehead folds less, and crow’s feet fan out less. Movement reads softer, and you still look like you.
02
Slows lines from setting in
The skin is no longer folded in the same spot thousands of times a day, which can help keep lines in motion from settling in as lines at rest. People who start before deep lines form often keep smoother skin over time.
03
Can soften set lines
If static lines are mild to moderate, calmer muscles give the skin time to remodel and recover. Many people notice set lines soften over months of care. Deep lines are covered below.
Limits
Tox reduces the repeated motion that etches lines into the skin. It won’t reverse aging, and deep static lines usually won’t go away completely with tox alone.
Approaches that resurface or rebuild the skin itself, like microneedling, laser resurfacing, chemical peels, and dermal fillers, exist for that. We can refer you to providers we trust. If we think you’d be better served by something we don’t offer, we’ll tell you.
Timing
Starting early slows lines from setting in. Starting later softens the ones you already have. In both cases you should still look like yourself, just more rested.
Ready when you are
Appointments are in San Rafael. We’ll go over your options and dosing with you before anything starts.