Neuromodulators relax specific muscles by blocking the signal between nerve and muscle. Placement, dosing and sequencing determine the result, which is why the same product produces very different outcomes in different hands.
What it treats
Botox or Dysport
Both are botulinum toxin type A and both work the same way. The practical differences are in onset and spread.
- Dysport tends to show earlier, often within two to three days, and diffuses slightly more, which can suit broader areas such as the forehead.
- Botox tends to stay closer to the injection point, which can suit areas where precision matters most.
Which one is used is decided at consultation, based on the area, your anatomy and how you have responded before.
Dosing is not one number
Muscle mass, muscle strength and the area being treated all change the dose required. Men generally need meaningfully more units than women for a comparable effect, and a dose derived from an average produces an under-treated result that is often mistaken for the product not working.
Dosing here starts from your anatomy and is adjusted against how you responded to your previous session.
See the typical range for every area →
What a session is like
- Sensation
- A series of quick injections. A brief pinch or sting.
- Session length
- 15 to 45 minutes depending on the areas.
- Onset
- Begins at 3 to 5 days, full effect at 10 to 14 days.
- Duration
- About 3 months.
- Cadence
- Every 3 months for all indications.
- Check-ins
- Day 2, Day 7, and Day 14 for lower face.
- Downtime
- None. Small bumps settle within a day.
- Performed by
- Dr. Mundluru.
Numbing cream can be applied 20 to 30 minutes beforehand, though most people find it unnecessary for the face. Results should not be judged before the two-week mark.
Before, during and after
This is the protocol we follow. Open any of these to read it before booking, or again the week of your appointment.
Common questions
How long does Botox take to work?
Results begin to appear at three to five days and reach full effect at ten to fourteen days. It does not work immediately, and results should not be judged before the two-week mark. If an area looks uneven or weaker than expected at day fourteen, that is the point to raise it, and touch-ups are assessed then.
How long does it last?
About three months for cosmetic areas, masseter, migraine and the rest. Retreatment every three months keeps the result consistent. Masseter slimming works on a longer timeline, with the effect appearing over four to six weeks and full results at six to eight weeks.
Do men need more units than women?
Generally yes. Muscle mass and strength drive the dose, and men typically require meaningfully more units for a comparable effect. Dosing from a female-derived default is a common reason a treatment appears not to have worked.
What should I stop before treatment?
Seven days before: over-the-counter anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen and naproxen, fish oil, vitamin E, flaxseed oil, alcohol and high-dose vitamin C, all of which increase bruising. Three days before: vigorous facial massage or facial treatments. Do not stop prescribed blood thinners or anticoagulants. Contact us instead so treatment can be planned around them.
Why can't I lie down afterwards?
Staying upright for four hours after treatment keeps the product where it was placed. During that window, also avoid touching or massaging the area, tight headwear over the treated area, vigorous exercise, heat and alcohol.
Does Botox help with jaw clenching and TMJ?
Masseter treatment is used both for jaw slimming and for clenching and bruxism. For bruxism, a noticeable reduction in clenching and morning jaw pain is typical within two weeks. The slimming effect is slower, developing over four to six weeks as the muscle softens, with full results at six to eight weeks.
Can I have this treatment if I am pregnant?
No. Neuromodulator treatment is not performed during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
This page is for general education and is not medical advice. It does not establish a physician-patient relationship, and it cannot account for your individual history, medications or skin. Suitability for treatment is decided at consultation following examination.