Neurotoxins in La Jolla
The lines you notice most in the mirror are usually the ones your face makes when it's doing something — concentrating, squinting into afternoon glare, raising your eyebrows mid-conversation. Over time, those repeated movements can leave marks that stay put even when your face is at rest. Neurotoxins are one of the most straightforward ways to soften that effect, and for our La Jolla patients, they're often the first step in a broader plan that also considers the smile.
Neurotoxins are injectable treatments that temporarily relax specific facial muscles. When a muscle contracts less forcefully, the skin above it creases less, and the lines connected to that movement tend to soften. This is why the treatment is most associated with areas driven by expression — the horizontal lines across the forehead, the vertical lines between the brows, and the fine lines that fan out from the corners of the eyes.
What makes this treatment different from a skincare product is that it addresses the underlying movement rather than the surface. That also means the results are temporary and reversible over time, which many patients appreciate when they're trying something for the first time. Sarah Garces, NP-C, our Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner and Facial Balancing Specialist, approaches these injections with an emphasis on restraint — treating the muscles that need it while preserving the expressions that make you look like yourself.
People come to us for neurotoxins for very different reasons, and the plan should reflect that. Some La Jolla patients are in their thirties and want to slow the deepening of lines that are just beginning to set. Others have lines that have been there for years and want them softened rather than erased. Some are preparing for a wedding, a reunion, or a season of photographs. And some come to us because they're already planning cosmetic dental work and want the whole picture considered at once.
That last group is a big part of why we built the practice the way we did. Darian Anderson, DDS, designs smiles here, and Sarah plans facial aesthetics — in the same studio, often for the same patient. Instead of getting veneers in one office and injectables somewhere else, with no one connecting the two, you get a coordinated plan. Monica Kieu, D.O., FACS, serves as our Medical Director. Common reasons our La Jolla patients pursue neurotoxin treatment include:
- Softening forehead lines, frown lines between the brows, or lines around the eyes
- Addressing early signs of expression lines before they deepen
- Balancing facial aesthetics alongside a smile makeover or veneer plan
- Maintaining results they've achieved with previous treatment
- Preparing for an event, photo session, or milestone
What Your Visit Looks Like
Everything starts with a complimentary consultation. We look at your face at rest and in motion, ask what bothers you and what you'd like to keep, and talk honestly about what neurotoxins can and can't do. If a different treatment — or a combination — would serve you better, we'll say so. This is also when we discuss your medical history and whether treatment is appropriate for you.
The treatment itself is quick. We map the injection points based on how your specific muscles move, then place a series of small injections with a fine needle. Most people describe the sensation as a brief pinch. There's no lengthy recovery involved, which is part of why La Jolla patients often schedule around work or errands rather than clearing a day. Results appear gradually over the following days rather than immediately, and we'll let you know what to expect on your timeline.
Aftercare and Keeping Results
Aftercare is simple, and we'll walk you through it before you leave. In general, we ask that you avoid rubbing or massaging the treated areas for the rest of the day and stay upright for a few hours afterward. Strenuous exercise and heat exposure are usually best postponed briefly. If anything feels unexpected, we want to hear from you.
Because neurotoxins wear off over time, maintaining your results means returning periodically. Many patients settle into a rhythm that works for them, and we'll help you find yours based on how your results hold. Coming back also gives us a chance to refine placement as we learn how your muscles respond.
Payment and Financing
We're an out-of-network, fee-for-service studio and don't bill insurance, which keeps our recommendations focused on what's right for your face rather than what a plan will cover. We welcome self-pay and cash patients.
For treatment you'd rather spread out, we offer financing through Cherry. We'll review your options during your complimentary consultation so you know the full picture before committing to anything.