Xeomin® & Botox® Cosmetic

What Is Xeomin?

Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription medicine injected into the facial muscles and used to improve the appearance of moderate-to-severe frown lines between the eyebrows in adults. Xeomin injections comprise a smart toxin containing a double-filtered formula to remove unnecessary proteins. This produces a streamlined, pure formula that effectively smooths the appearance of frown lines. Xeomin contains botulinum toxin type A, a protein purified from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This neuromodulator treatment is FDA-approved to treat wrinkles, including the “11” lines between the eyebrows and frown lines.

What Is Botox Cosmetic?

Botox Cosmetic, or Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA), is an injectable wrinkle muscle relaxer using botulinum toxin type A to temporarily paralyze the muscles and reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles. Originally approved by the FDA for the treatment of eye muscle conditions, such as blepharospasm, Botox injections are also approved for cosmetic treatment for moderate-to-severe frown lines between the eyebrows and wrinkles around the corners of the eyes, and medical issues like chronic migraines. Contact us to learn more about neuromodulator therapy.

How Do Botulinum Toxin Type A Injections Work?

During treatment, the Xeomin injection blocks the signals traveling from facial nerves to surrounding muscles, allowing the muscles to relax and the wrinkles to soften and appear smooth. A Botox injection works by temporarily blocking nerve signals and muscle contractions, approving the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes and between the eyebrows. It can also slow the formation of new facial lines by preventing the contraction of treated facial muscles.

Both formulas of botulinum toxin type A work by weakening or paralyzing certain muscles or by blocking certain nerves for a temporary amount of time. Without a signal, the treated muscles are unable to contract. The result is a diminished appearance, unwanted facial lines, and wrinkles. To learn more about how our neuromodulator injections work, contact our office.

Botox Vs. Xeomin

Xeomin and Botox Cosmetic are injectable cosmetic medications that help smooth out certain facial skin wrinkles. Your cosmetic treatment may choose one or both injectables to treat different areas of your face. Botox and Xeomin are neuromodulators and offer numerous benefits. Xeomin and Botox Cosmetic contain botulinum toxin type A, which can relax treated muscles and reduce the appearance of wrinkles for a set period. Both products make patients feel they’ve recovered a rejuvenated and youthful facial appearance. Both formulas reduce the nerve signals in the treated areas when used over time, further preventing the formation of wrinkles and producing longer results over time.

What’s more, both treatments can be performed in just minutes with little-to-no downtime. The most significant difference between Botox and Xeomin is that Xeomin is formulated to be purely botulinum toxin type A. The purity of this ingredient in Xeomin results in a reduced likelihood of allergic reactions in patients. Botox contains other proteins in its formula that can result in allergies. The lack of additives in Xeomin means patients are less likely to develop antibodies against the injectable, which can reduce its degree of effectiveness. Additionally, the lack of additives in Xeomin means it may not require refrigeration, and thus, it can have an extended shelf life. Because of the difference in formulations, providers may use less of one injectable versus the other.

Both injectables produce amazing results independently; in some cases, a combination can solve a patient’s specific problem areas. At Smile Pleasant Hill, we pride ourselves in choosing the optimal injectable for our patient considering all factors.

Who Is A Good Candidate For Cosmetic Injections?

If you are an adult with unwanted facial lines and wrinkles, you may benefit from injections of Xeomin or Botox Cosmetic. The best way to determine if you are a candidate for cosmetic injections and neuromodulator treatment is to contact Smile Pleasant Hill to schedule a consultation. In general, you may be a good candidate for dermal fillers, cosmetic injections, and treatment with Botox and Xeomin if you are physically healthy, don’t smoke, have a positive outlook and realistic goals in mind for the improvement of your appearance with treatment, and are committed to maintaining good skin health.

Xeomin and Botox may not be appropriate if you have a history of allergic reactions to botulinum injections, breathing difficulties, respiratory illnesses (like asthma), problems with swallowing, or muscle or nerve disorders. These injections also are not recommended if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How Long Do Botox & Xeomin Results Last?

Both Xeomin and Botox are injections used in targeted muscles. The exact dosage and number of injections vary depending on the type and severity of the condition being treated. After injections, both Xeomin and Botox can last between 3–6 months before patients require follow-up injections to maintain the desired results. Muscle actions gradually return as the treatment wears off, resulting in the reappearance of wrinkles and facial lines.

As such, repeated Botox or Xeomin injections are recommended to train facial muscles to relax continuously and, over time, permanently reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles and lines. Certain factors may affect the duration of Botox or Xeomin, including age, skin conditions, skin damage, face shape, face structure, expressions, and previous wrinkle treatments.

Potential Botox & Xeomin Side Effects

All botulinum injections risk of spreading to other body areas, potentially resulting in complications. Such risks can be greater in off-label uses of the drugs. As with any injection or shot, Xeomin and Botox may cause temporary side effects, such as pain, redness, bruising, itching, swelling, and bleeding. During your appointment, your provider will disclose all potential side effects and provide specific instructions to help reduce your risk of experiencing side effects post-injections.

You should notify your provider about any over-the-counter and prescription medications you take before or after receiving these injections, as botulinum toxin may interact with muscle relaxants, antibiotics, sleep medications, allergy medications, and cold medications. For more information about potential side effects and how to reduce your risk, contact Smile Pleasant Hill.