Soft Focus

Natural-looking wrinkle relaxer treatments

Neurotoxins are a safe, FDA-approved injectable treatment designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, creating a smoother, more youthful-looking complexion. By temporarily relaxing targeted facial muscles, neurotoxins soften expression lines and prevent new wrinkles from forming, while still allowing natural movement and expression.

At Lumina, we use Xeomin®, Botox®, and Daxxify®.

Neurotoxin injections treat:

  • Vertical lines/frown lines between the eyebrows
  • Forehead or worry lines
  • Crow’s feet around the eyes
  • Bunny lines on the nose
  • Smoker’s lines (vertical lines around the lips)
  • Around the eyebrows to provide a gentle lift
  • Gummy smile
  • Corners of mouth for downturned smile
  • Dimpling of the chin
  • Vertical neck bands
What are neurotoxins and how do they work?

Neurotoxins, often called wrinkle relaxers, are injectable treatments that gently reduce the appearance of fine lines and expression-based wrinkles. They’re designed to soften movement in targeted facial muscles while preserving natural expression.

These treatments work by temporarily blocking the signal between nerves and muscles. When the muscle is relaxed, the overlying skin appears smoother and lines caused by repeated expressions, like frowning or squinting, become less visible.

Results are temporary and gradually wear off as muscle activity returns, which allows for ongoing adjustments based on your preferences.

All three are FDA-approved wrinkle relaxers (neurotoxins) that work in the same fundamental way: they temporarily relax targeted muscles to soften lines and prevent deeper wrinkles from forming. The main differences come down to formulation, onset, and how long results may last.

  • Xeomin®
    Xeomin is often referred to as a “clean” neurotoxin because it contains only the active ingredient, without additional proteins. This may reduce the likelihood of the body developing resistance over time for some patients. Its onset and duration typically last around 3–4 months.

  • Botox®
    The most widely known option, Botox has a long track record of safety and consistent, reliable results. Most people begin to see results within 3–5 days, with full results around 10–14 days. Results typically last about 3–4 months.

  • Daxxify®
    Daxxify is a newer option designed to last longer. It uses a unique peptide-based stabilizer instead of traditional proteins, which may extend results for some patients, often around 4–6 months or longer. Onset can be slightly slower, but results are still natural and gradual.

Yes, it’s completely safe to switch between different neurotoxin brands. All FDA-approved neurotoxins work in similar ways, but slight variations in formulation can affect how each product spreads, sets in, and lasts. The effectiveness of each brand may vary slightly depending on individual factors and preferences. Whether you’ve used a particular brand before or are trying neurotoxins for the first time, we’ll work together to achieve your skin, muscle activity, and aesthetic goals.

Neurotoxins are generally well-tolerated, and side effects are typically mild and temporary. As with any injectable, some patients may experience:

  • Redness, swelling, or tenderness at the injection site
  • Mild bruising
  • Headache or a feeling of tightness
  • Temporary drooping of the eyelid or eyebrow (rare and usually resolves within a few weeks)
  • More serious side effects, such as allergic reaction or muscle weakness, are rare, but can occur.

Most side effects resolve within a few hours to a few days.

If you ever have any questions or notice anything unexpected after treatment, we’re here to support you.

You may start to notice softening in treated areas within a few days, with more visible changes developing around days 3–7. Full results typically settle in by about 10–14 days.

Because these treatments work by gradually relaxing targeted muscles, the change is subtle and builds over time. We recommend allowing the full two weeks for results to develop before assessing your outcome.

Results typically last around 3–4 months for most people, though this can vary depending on your metabolism, muscle strength, and the area treated. Over time, movement gradually returns, and lines may begin to reappear.

There’s no one-size-fits-all schedule. Some clients choose occasional treatments ahead of a specific event, while others come in a few times a year to maintain consistently smooth, natural-looking results.

If your goal is maintenance or prevention, regular treatments can help soften repeated muscle movement over time. We’ll work with you to find a cadence that aligns with your goals, lifestyle, and preference for how subtle or consistent you’d like your results to feel.

Book a free consultation

Whether you’re looking to prevent signs of aging or want to refresh your look, we’ll help you get the results you want, safely and confidently.