Smooth Wrinkles Without Losing Your Expression
Looking refreshed usually means looking like yourself on a very good day. To help you keep that refreshed look even on your bad days and the days in between, Evelina Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics offers Neurotoxins to help soften frown lines, forehead lines, crow’s feet, and other expression lines caused by repeated facial movement. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Katherine B. Santosa offers Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin for patients who want smoother skin, natural-looking results, and a youthful appearance that still moves.
Ease in Motion
Neurotoxins are injectable treatments that temporarily relax targeted facial muscles to soften dynamic wrinkles caused by repeated expression.
Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin are all forms of botulinum toxin used in tiny, carefully controlled amounts. These treatments affect the communication between nerve cells and muscles at the injection sites, allowing overactive muscles to relax. In the right hands, neurotoxins can smooth wrinkles while preserving warmth, movement, and natural expression.

The Usual Suspects
Neurotoxins are best for wrinkles caused by muscle movement. These are the lines that show up when you raise your eyebrows, squint, smile, or frown. Over time, repeated movement can make those lines linger even when your face is relaxed.
Neurotoxin treatments can help improve frown lines between the eyebrows, forehead lines, crow’s feet around the eyes, and certain lines caused by repeated facial expressions. In some cases, neurotoxins may also be used to soften neck bands, adjust subtle brow tension, or help with concerns related to facial muscle activity.
Neurotoxins do not restore lost volume in the way dermal fillers do. If hollowing, sagging, or volume loss is part of the concern, Dr. Santosa may recommend fillers or another treatment as part of your plan.
A Pause in The Signal

Neurotoxins work by interrupting the signal between the nervous system and the treated muscle. Your central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system carries messages between the body and those central structures. In cosmetic use, Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin act locally at the injection sites to reduce muscle contraction in very specific areas.
In toxicology, terms like neurotoxicity refer to harmful exposure to certain toxins or substances that affect neurons, nerve cells, the developing brain, or the body’s nervous system. Cosmetic neurotoxins are different. They are purified, carefully dosed, and placed by a skilled injector to affect targeted facial muscles, not the whole body.
Refreshed and Beautiful
Neurotoxins are popular because the treatment is quick, precise, and easy to maintain. They can create a smoother appearance without surgery, incisions, or major interruption to your schedule.
Benefits may include:
To Tox or Not to Tox
Good Candidates
Good candidates for neurotoxins are generally healthy adults who want to soften expression lines, smooth wrinkles, or reduce muscle-driven creases while maintaining natural movement. You may be a good candidate if you have frown lines, forehead lines, crow’s feet, or dynamic wrinkles that become more visible when you make facial expressions.
Many patients choose neurotoxins before lines become deeply set. Others start treatment after wrinkles are already present and want a gradual, natural-looking improvement.
Who Is Not a Good Fit
Neurotoxins may not be recommended if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have certain neuromuscular conditions, or have had a previous reaction to botulinum toxin. Dr. Santosa will review your medical history, health factors, medications, symptoms, and past injectable treatments before recommending a new treatment plan.
Our Big Three
At Evelina Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics, neurotoxin treatments are not chosen at random. Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin all work by relaxing targeted facial muscles, but each has subtle differences in formulation, onset, spread, and how it may perform in certain areas.
Botox
Botox is one of the most recognized neurotoxins and is commonly used to soften frown lines, forehead lines, crow’s feet, and other expression lines. It can be a strong choice for patients who want predictable smoothing with a well-established treatment history. When placed with care, Botox can smooth wrinkles while preserving natural facial movement.
Dysport
Dysport is another trusted neurotoxin used to treat dynamic wrinkles caused by repeated muscle movement. It may spread a bit more easily in certain areas, which can make it a good option for broader treatment zones like the forehead or between the brows. Some patients also notice Dysport results appearing slightly faster, though individual results vary.
Xeomin
Xeomin is sometimes called a “naked” neurotoxin because it doesn't contain accessory proteins. It may be a good option for patients who prefer a simpler formulation or who have not responded as well to other neurotoxins in the past. Like Botox and Dysport, Xeomin can help soften facial lines while keeping the overall result natural-looking and expressive.

Sit Back and Relax
Before your neurotoxin treatment, avoid alcoholic beverages for about 24 hours if possible, and ask your provider about any blood-thinning medications or supplements that may increase bruising. Arrive with clean skin, skip heavy makeup around the planned treatment areas, and share your medical history, allergies, and previous injectable treatments. During your appointment, you’ll be asked to make a few facial expressions so your injector can assess muscle movement and plan precise placement.
Just a Pinch
Your appointment begins with a review of your concerns and facial movement. Dr. Santosa or your injector will evaluate how your muscles move when you frown, raise your eyebrows, smile, and relax your face. This helps determine dosage, placement, and which product may be best.
The product is placed using a very fine needle. Most patients describe the sensation as a quick pinch. A topical numbing cream is usually not necessary, though it may be available for patients who are more sensitive.
Treatment is typically quick, often taking 15 to 30 minutes.
Keep it Simple
Immediate downtime
Most patients return to normal routines right after treatment. Mild redness, swelling, tenderness, or bruising at the injection sites can happen and usually settle quickly.
Social downtime
Social downtime is usually minimal. Small bumps at the injection sites often fade within minutes to hours, while bruising, if it occurs, may last a few days.
Exercise, makeup, sun, and skincare restrictions
You may be asked to avoid strenuous exercise, rubbing the treated areas, lying flat, heat exposure, and facial massage for several hours after treatment. Makeup can usually be worn later the same day, depending on your provider’s instructions.
Provider aftercare tips
Keep your head upright for the recommended period, avoid pressing on the treated areas, and call our office if anything feels unusual. Symptoms such as severe swelling, trouble breathing, or unexpected weakness should be addressed right away.
Watching it Work
Neurotoxin results appear gradually. Some patients notice early softening within a few days, especially with Dysport. Botox and Xeomin often begin working within three to five days, with full results typically visible around two weeks.
At two weeks, the muscles are more relaxed, wrinkles look smoother, and the treated areas usually feel softer while still allowing expression.
The Upkeep
Neurotoxin results commonly last about three to four months. Individual results vary based on the product used, dosage, muscle strength, metabolism, treatment areas, and how your body responds.
Patients with stronger facial muscles may need maintenance sooner, while others may enjoy results longer. Regular treatments can help maintain smoother skin and reduce the repeated folding that leads to deeper lines.
One Visit at a Time
Most patients need one neurotoxin treatment scheduled every three to four months to keep results fresh.
If you are new to neurotoxins, Dr. Santosa may start conservatively and adjust future treatments based on how your muscles respond. This helps protect natural movement and avoid an overdone look.
Cost, Units, and Areas

Neurotoxin cost in Atlanta depends on the product used, the number of units needed, the treatment areas, and the strength of your facial muscles. Treating frown lines alone typically requires a different amount than treating the forehead, crow’s feet, and brow area together.
During your consultation, Dr. Santosa’s team will provide detailed pricing based on your anatomy, goals, and customized treatment plan.
Lines or Volume?
Neurotoxins and dermal fillers both soften signs of aging, but they work very differently. Neurotoxins relax facial muscles to smooth expression lines, while dermal fillers add or restore volume beneath the skin.
Neurotoxins are often best for forehead lines, frown lines, and crow’s feet. Dermal fillers may be better for volume loss, hollowing, lip enhancement, or deeper folds caused by structural changes rather than movement. Many patients benefit from both, but the right plan depends on what is actually causing the lines.
Combination Care
Yes. Neurotoxins can be paired with dermal fillers, skin treatments, laser treatments, or medical-grade skincare, depending on your concerns. A combination plan may address movement, volume, texture, and skin quality at the same time.
Dr. Santosa will help determine which treatments make sense together and which should be spaced out for comfort, safety, and the best result.
Where Precision Feels Personal
At Evelina Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics, neurotoxin treatments are planned with restraint, precision, and respect for your natural expression. Dr. Santosa understands that small changes can make a real difference, and she also knows where to stop.
Her approach is never about freezing the face. It is about reading your movement, treating the right muscles, and helping you look smoother, fresher, and still completely like yourself.
Your Fresh Start Awaits
If frown lines, forehead lines, crow’s feet, or expression lines are making you look more tired or tense than you feel, neurotoxins may be a simple way to refresh your appearance. Schedule your consultation at Evelina Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics in Atlanta to discuss neurotoxins and the right treatment plan for your face.
Yes, neurotoxins have a long history of cosmetic and medical use when placed by trained providers. Dr. Santosa reviews your health and medical history before treatment.
They shouldn’t when used carefully. The goal is to smooth wrinkles while maintaining natural movement and expression.
Most neurotoxin appointments take about 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of areas treated.
They can help reduce repeated muscle folding, which may slow the development of deeper expression lines over time.
Yes. Neurotoxins treat muscle movement, while fillers restore volume. Many patients use both for a more complete refreshed appearance.
Most patients schedule maintenance every three to four months, though timing can vary based on product, dosage, and muscle strength.
Discuss your personalized treatment with Dr. Santosa today
Dr. Santosa delivers a well-rounded treatment experience through combined science, compassion, and experience. Begin your journey with trusted board-certified Atlanta plastic surgeon Dr. Katherine B. Santosa in Sandy Springs, and rest assured that you have selected your best path to exquisite results.
At Evelina Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics, we are proud to be a women-owned practice committed to delivering exceptional care and outstanding results. Our dedication to excellence ensures that we stand out as a trusted choice for premier plastic surgery and aesthetic services in the Atlanta-metro area.