Key takeaways
- Botox is one specific brand. The treatment itself is called a neuromodulator.
- At Astra, Molly uses two neuromodulators, Daxxify and Jeuveau, and neither of them is Botox.
- In clinical studies of glabellar lines, Daxxify results lasted approximately six months for many patients, although duration varies from person to person.
- The appointment usually takes fifteen to thirty minutes, with minimal downtime for most patients. It’s worth waiting the full two weeks before deciding whether you need more.
- There is no one-size-fits-all injection pattern or dose.
Contents
What is a neuromodulator?
A neuromodulator is a purified protein that temporarily reduces nerve signals to the muscles responsible for expression lines: the vertical lines between the brows, the horizontal lines across the forehead, and the fine lines that fan out at the corners of the eyes. These are dynamic wrinkles, meaning they become more noticeable when the face moves. By reducing targeted muscle activity, the skin above it can appear smoother while intentional dosing can preserve natural expression.
Which neuromodulators does Astra use?
At Astra, Molly uses two neuromodulators, Daxxify and Jeuveau, and neither of them is Botox. Daxxify uses a proprietary peptide-powered formulation and was developed with longer duration in mind. In clinical studies of glabellar lines, results lasted approximately six months for many patients, although duration varies from person to person. Jeuveau is another botulinum toxin type A option. Molly selects between products based on the patient’s treatment history, goals, anatomy, and individual response rather than assuming one product is right for everyone.
How long does the appointment take, and when do results show?
The appointment itself is quick, usually fifteen to thirty minutes, with minimal downtime for most patients. Results begin gradually over the days following treatment and are generally evaluated once the treatment has had time to fully settle, which is why it’s worth waiting the full two weeks before deciding whether you need more.
How is the dose decided?
There is no one-size-fits-all injection pattern or dose. Molly evaluates the face both at rest and in motion, considering muscle strength, symmetry, facial proportions, existing lines, and how much movement each patient wants to preserve. The goal is not simply to eliminate movement. It is to use the appropriate dose in the appropriate muscles to create a result that still feels natural to the individual face.
“I don’t use a predetermined injection map or assume every patient needs the same dose,” Molly says. “I assess the face at rest and in motion and talk with the patient about what they actually want to change and what movement they want to keep. As a Revance National Trainer, anatomy, intentional dosing, and treatment planning are a major part of both how I treat my own patients and how I train other medical providers.”
Will I look frozen?
“‘Will I look frozen?’ is one of the most common concerns I hear,” Molly says. “Neuromodulator treatment doesn’t have to mean eliminating every bit of expression. Dose, placement, muscle strength, and the patient’s preferences all matter. My goal is to soften the movement contributing to the lines that bother someone while preserving the characteristics that make their face look like their own.”
