Neurotoxins · Richmond Hill
The goal is never to look treated. It is to look rested, natural, and like yourself, with less tension in the places that have been working too hard for too long. You should still be able to look surprised. Just slightly less alarmed than usual.
All three are botulinum toxin type A products. They work by temporarily blocking the nerve signals that cause targeted facial muscles to contract. The result is a softening of dynamic lines. the lines that form from repeated movement like squinting, frowning, or raising the brows.
The practical differences between the three products are often overstated in marketing. All three are safe, well-studied, and effective when used correctly. The choice of product matters less than the skill of the injector and the precision of the dosing and placement.
That said, there are meaningful clinical distinctions worth understanding:
Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) is the original and most widely studied product. It has the largest body of clinical evidence and is the benchmark most injectors are trained on. At Skin Trek, it is priced at $12 per unit.
Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA) has a slightly different diffusion profile. it tends to spread a bit more from the injection point, which can be an advantage in certain treatment areas and a disadvantage in others. It is dosed differently from Botox (approximately 2.5 to 3 Dysport units per 1 Botox unit). Priced at $10 per unit.
Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) is a "naked" toxin. it contains no accessory proteins, which may reduce the theoretical risk of antibody formation with repeated treatments over time. It is also the most affordable of the three at Skin Trek, at $8 per unit, making it a sensible long-term choice for patients who are committed to regular maintenance.
"Natural Botox is not about using less. It is about using the right amount in exactly the right places. The frozen look is a technique problem, not a Botox problem. You should still be able to look annoyed when someone cuts you off in traffic."
Forehead lines. horizontal lines that form from raising the brows. These respond well to neurotoxin but require careful dosing. Too much can cause brow heaviness or a flattened, expressionless appearance.
Frown lines (glabella). the vertical lines between the brows. This is the most commonly treated area and typically requires 20 to 25 units of Botox equivalent. The "11s" are often deeply etched in patients who have had years of untreated frowning.
Crow's feet. the lines at the outer corners of the eyes from squinting and smiling. Treated with smaller doses, typically 10 to 15 units of Botox equivalent per side.
Brow lift. strategic placement along the lateral brow can create a subtle lift without surgery. Results are modest but noticeable.
Bunny lines. the diagonal lines across the nose bridge from scrunching the nose.
Lip lines and lip flip. small doses around the upper lip can soften vertical lip lines and create a subtle eversion of the lip border.
Chin dimpling. the mentalis muscle creates a pebbly or dimpled appearance in some patients. Neurotoxin smooths this effectively.
Neck bands (platysmal bands). the vertical cords that become visible in the neck with age. Requires careful assessment and dosing.
Jaw slimming (masseter). injection into the masseter muscle reduces its bulk over time, softening a wide or square jaw. Particularly popular among East Asian patients where facial contouring is a common aesthetic goal. Results take six to eight weeks to fully develop and last approximately four to six months initially, longer with repeated treatments.
Hyperhidrosis. neurotoxin injected into the underarms, palms, or soles is highly effective for excessive sweating.
This is the question every new patient asks, and the honest answer is that it varies considerably. A 35-year-old with mild forehead lines and no prior treatment needs a very different dose than a 55-year-old with deeply etched static lines who has been undertreated for years.
As a general orientation: treating the three standard areas (forehead, glabella, crow's feet) typically requires 40 to 60 units of Botox equivalent in total, depending on the patient's muscle mass and desired level of correction. Treating a single area. for example, jaw slimming alone. may require 40 to 60 units per side.
At Skin Trek, we discuss dosing transparently at your consultation. We do not have a financial incentive to use more product than you need.
There are several considerations specific to East Asian facial anatomy that are worth understanding. These are not generalizations. individual variation is wide. but they reflect patterns that an experienced injector working across Asian and non-Asian patient populations will encounter.
The masseter muscle tends to be more developed in East Asian patients on average, contributing to a broader lower face width. Masseter reduction with neurotoxin is one of the most commonly requested procedures among East Asian patients and one that requires careful dosing to avoid asymmetry or functional complications.
The frontalis muscle. which raises the brows. also tends to function differently in patients with a heavier brow or upper lid, as the frontalis may be compensating for ptosis. Treating the forehead without careful assessment in these cases can cause brow drop. This is a known risk that a well-trained injector anticipates and plans for.
At Skin Trek, Dr. Andy has treated patients across both Taiwan and Canada for 16 years. Understanding what natural looks like across different facial structures is not something that can be learned from a textbook.
Neurotoxins are priced per unit, not per area. You pay for exactly what is used.
Prices are before tax. 13% HST applies. Exact units used will be discussed and agreed at your appointment.
How long does Botox last?
Most patients see results lasting three to four months for standard facial areas. With regular treatment over time, some patients find their results extend to five or six months, as the muscles weaken slightly with repeated injections and require less product to maintain the effect.
Will I look frozen?
No. Frozen results come from overdosing or incorrect placement, not from neurotoxin itself. The goal is natural movement with reduced tension. We use conservative doses and offer a two-week follow-up to add more if needed. Starting low and adjusting is always the right approach. Starting high and hoping for the best is not.
What is the difference between Botox and fillers?
Botox relaxes muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles. Fillers add volume to areas that have lost it. or enhance features like lips and cheeks. They address different problems and are often used together. Botox does not fill; fillers do not relax muscles.
Is there downtime?
Minimal. Most patients have small pinpoint injection marks that fade within hours. Mild bruising is possible, particularly in the crow's feet area. Results begin to appear at three to five days and are fully visible at two weeks.
Can I start with a small amount to see how I respond?
Yes, and we actively encourage this approach for first-time patients. Starting conservatively and returning at two weeks to assess is a sensible way to build trust and calibrate dosing to your specific anatomy and preferences.
How often do I need to come in?
Most patients maintain results with appointments every three to four months. Over time some patients stretch to five or six months as muscles adapt. We do not push more frequent treatment than you need. That would defeat the purpose of being the kind of clinic we are trying to be.
Where is Skin Trek located?
372 Highway 7, Unit 123B, Richmond Hill, Ontario. We serve patients from Richmond Hill, Markham, Vaughan, Thornhill, and across the York Region and GTA.
All new patients start with a free consultation. No pressure, no treatment plan until you are ready.
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