Xeomin® is a prescription medication that is used to treat the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows. It can also be used to treat blepharospasm (involuntary eyelid movement), forehead lines, and crow’s feet. Xeomin® contains botulinum toxin type A, a protein purified from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This product is the newest competitor to Botox® and Dysport® in the United States. Though approved in the U.S. in July 2011, Xeomin® has a history of use since 2005 in 20 other countries.
Xeomin® works similarly to Botox® and Dysport®. The product works by blocking nerve signals to the area of treatment, essentially freezing the muscles underneath the skin. While the muscles are unable to move or contract, the wrinkles smooth and relax. This creates a refreshed and youthful look for Xeomin® patients, leaving them often feeling satisfied with their results.
Xeomin® is used to treat wrinkles in areas of frequent and repeated facial movements. The most commonly treated areas include:
- Crow’s feet caused by squinting or smiling.
- Horizontal lines across the forehead
- Lines and folds between the eyebrows, often cause by frowning.
Technically, Xeomin® has only received FDA approval for cosmetic use on glabellar lines, colloquially known as frown lines. It is used “off-label” for crow’s feet and forehead lines. Botox® has been approved by the FDA for all of those uses, but it is assumed Xeomin® will eventually be approved for those other areas, as well.
So, if you have dynamic wrinkles due to muscle contractions on the upper third of your face — crow’s feet, the 11s, and forehead lines — then <span”>Xeomin® could be a good option for you.
If you’re trying to erase smile lines, marionette lines, barcode lines, sunken cheeks, and other issues around the mid to lower face Xeomin® is not the answer. Juvéderm® and Restylane® would be the answer for those areas.
Yes. The two products are basically the same formulation. They don’t have any interaction. Plus, when you are at the end of your results your body absorbs the now-inert botulinum toxin, so having Xeomin® injected at that point is starting over, just as if you would be having another round of Botox®.
There is nothing you need to do prior to your appointment at AesthetiSpa. Plus, Xeomin® injections are a perfect “lunchtime treatment,” as you can immediately return to work or most other normal activities afterward. There isn’t any recovery.
As with all neuromodulators, after your Xeomin® treatment in Mt. Pleasant, SC you must be careful not to rub your injection sites for 24 hours as this can make the botulinum toxin migrate to an unintended muscle. This can create issues such as a droopy eyelid. We also recommend you remain upright and avoid strenuous exercise for four hours after injections to decrease the risk of migration.
We often inform patients of Xeomin® to wait for a full 14 days to pass before they judge their results. Xeomin® has been proven to take up to two full weeks to take full effect in some patients. However, many of our patients begin to see their results within four to six days of treatment. Results may vary patient to patient.
Your metabolism can affect the duration of your results, but for most people, Xeomin® erases wrinkles for about three months. At some point, your body will absorb the now-inert Xeomin® and the muscle will begin to contract again, which we allow the wrinkles to return. Another Xeomin® session will maintain your results. There is no reason to get Xeomin® more frequently.
Unfortunately, Xeomin® is not a permanent solution for frown lines and wrinkles. We always say that every patient is different, but on average Xeomin® can last up to three months on average. However, if you keep up with your provider’s instructions and redo your first three treatments every three months, you may start to see that your results start to last longer.
All three products are purified proteins from the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, and they all work in similar ways to relax facial muscles. Xeomin® is sometimes referred to as “Naked Botox®”, as it has fewer accessory proteins than Botox® or Dysport®. Clinically, the results between the three treatments are similar. When you come in for your consultation, we will be able to help you decide which product is best for you based on your personal concerns.
No. The duration of your results with Xeomin® is effectively the same as with Botox® or Dysport®. The main difference with Xeomin® is that it has fewer extra proteins than either Botox® or Dysport®. So, if you have found you have a reaction to either Botox® or Dysport®, it’s likely due to those extra proteins, so Xeomin® could be a better option for you.
The cost of Xeomin® is roughly the same as for Botox®. Dysport® is a little cheaper than the other two, but it also formulated differently, so patients need more of it to achieve the same wrinkle relaxing results. All in all, there are subtle differences between the three — Botox® is the most well-known, Dysport® spreads more easily so it can control more muscle fibers, and Xeomin® has fewer extra proteins so it is purer — but they all basically cost the same.
While generally considered a safe procedure, Xeomin® does carry certain risks. Whether they occur within a few hours or weeks, the following symptoms may require urgent medical attention:
- Difficulty speaking, swallowing or breathing.
- Muscle weakness throughout the body.
- Double or blurred vision.
- Drooping eyelids.
- Change in voice quality
- Loss of bladder control.
If you’ve been treated with Xeomin® recently and are experiencing any of the symptoms listed, please contact your provider immediately.
Schedule A Consultation For Xeomin® In Mt. Pleasant, SC
If you’re interested in learning more about Xeomin® please contact us for a consultation at 843-849-9925 or fill out our contact us form here. We will discuss your needs and concerns, and determine your best course of action.
