Neuromodulators
Botulinum Toxin
What are
Neuromodulators?
Botulinum toxin — commonly known by brand names such as Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin — is a purified protein that temporarily relaxes specific facial muscles by blocking the nerve signals that cause them to contract. It is the most widely performed aesthetic treatment in the world, and when administered with precision and restraint by an experienced facial specialist, it produces results that are smooth, natural, and entirely expressively intact.
At The Face Institute, neuromodulator treatments are performed exclusively by our facial specialists — clinicians with an in-depth anatomical understanding of the musculature of the face and the nuanced relationships between muscles that govern expression, brow position, and lid aperture. Botulinum toxin in the wrong hands or at the wrong dose produces the frozen, expressionless appearance that patients rightly fear; in experienced hands, it softens what needs softening while preserving full range of natural movement.
Beyond dynamic wrinkle reduction, neuromodulators are used at The Face Institute for a range of advanced applications — including brow shaping, masseteric slimming for a softer jawline, nefertiti neck lift, hyperhidrosis treatment, and subtle lip eversion — making it one of the most versatile non-surgical tools available in skilled hands.
What We
Treat
Botulinum toxin is far more than a wrinkle treatment. In specialist hands, it is a precise sculpting tool — used across the face and neck to refine, relax, and rebalance with remarkable subtlety.
Forehead Lines
Softens the horizontal lines etched across the forehead by repeated frontalis contraction — treating the muscle at the dose required to reduce lines while preserving enough movement to maintain natural expression and brow position.
Glabellar Lines (Frown Lines)
Relaxes the corrugator and procerus muscles responsible for the vertical frown lines between the brows — eliminating the resting angry or tense expression that these lines project, and preventing their further deepening over time.
Crow's Feet
Reduces the fine lines that radiate from the outer corners of the eyes on smiling and squinting — softening the crinkle without eliminating the warmth of expression that makes the eyes attractive in animation.
Brow Lift & Shaping
Strategic placement above and below the brow — releasing the depressors and adjusting the balance of forces acting on the brow — creates a subtle, natural lift and refined arch without surgery. Particularly effective for lateral brow ptosis.
Masseteric Slimming
Injection into the masseter muscle reduces its bulk over repeated treatments — gradually softening a square or overdeveloped lower jaw, refining the facial shape, and reducing bruxism-related jaw tension and discomfort simultaneously.
Nefertiti Neck Lift
Relaxation of the platysmal bands and the depressor muscles of the lower face reduces the downward pull on the jawline and neck — creating a subtler, more defined cervicomental angle and refreshed lower face contour without surgery.
Before & After
Drag the divider on each case to compare before and after results.
Results vary by individual. All cases presented with patient consent and in accordance with local medical advertising guidelines.
Common
Questions
Have a question not answered here? Bring it to your consultation — our specialists take the time to answer everything, thoroughly and honestly.
Will I still be able to show expression?
Yes — this is central to how we approach every treatment. The frozen, expressionless appearance associated with botulinum toxin is the result of over-dosing or imprecise placement, not an inevitable property of the product. Our goal is always a result that looks like you at your most rested and refreshed — with lines softened but movement, warmth, and expressivity entirely preserved. We use conservative doses and review results at a follow-up appointment, where fine adjustments can be made.
How long does the effect last?
The effect typically begins within three to seven days of treatment, reaches its peak at ten to fourteen days, and lasts three to five months on average. Duration varies between individuals — influenced by metabolism, the muscles treated, the dose used, and whether it is an initial treatment or a maintenance session. With consistent regular treatment, some patients find the results extend progressively as the muscles adapt to reduced activity.
Is the treatment painful?
Botulinum toxin is administered through very fine needles, and most patients describe the sensation as a series of minor pinpricks — well tolerated and typically over within minutes. Topical anaesthetic cream can be applied beforehand in patients with lower pain tolerance. There is no downtime following treatment, and patients resume their normal activities immediately.
Can botulinum toxin lift the brow?
Yes — with careful technique. The brow position is determined by the balance between the muscles that elevate it (frontalis) and those that depress it (corrugator, procerus, orbicularis). By selectively relaxing the depressor muscles while preserving frontalis activity — or by placing small doses precisely at the lateral brow tail — a genuine and natural-looking brow lift can be achieved non-surgically. The degree of lift possible with toxin is modest compared to surgery, but for early descent it can be highly effective.
What is masseteric slimming and who is it for?
Masseteric slimming involves injecting botulinum toxin directly into the masseter — the large muscle at the angle of the jaw used for chewing — to reduce its bulk. As the muscle gradually atrophies with reduced stimulation, the lower face narrows and softens. It is particularly beneficial for patients with a naturally wide or square jaw caused by masseter hypertrophy, those who grind their teeth (bruxism), or those with jaw tension and discomfort. Multiple sessions may be required to achieve the full reshaping effect.
Will my face look worse when the toxin wears off?
No — when treatment stops, the face simply returns to where it would have been without it. The muscles recover their activity gradually, and the lines return slowly rather than suddenly. There is no rebound effect, no accelerated ageing, and no dependency. Some patients find that consistent long-term treatment mildly conditions the muscles over time, making lines slightly less pronounced even when treatment lapses.
How is treatment at The Face Institute different?
Botulinum toxin is only as good as the person administering it. At The Face Institute, every treatment is performed by a facial specialist — not a nurse or beauty therapist — with a surgical understanding of facial anatomy and muscle function. We take a holistic view of the face before injecting anywhere, assess the interplay between muscles and facial balance, and design a treatment plan rather than simply treating lines in isolation. Our results are consistently natural because we treat the whole face, not just the wrinkles.
You May Also
Consider
Ready to take
the next step?
Book a consultation with our specialists — we'll assess your facial muscle anatomy, discuss your goals, and design a treatment plan that refreshes your appearance while keeping you entirely yourself.
