With age, you tend to develop frown lines between the eyebrows. These lines form due to repeated facial expressions that lead to muscle contractions. Over time, the repeated contractions of facial muscles result in the formation of folds and creases called frown lines. Certain prescription medications called neurotoxins can temporarily stop facial muscle contractions and soften frown lines. Please continue reading to learn more about one such FDA approved treatment called Xeomin. We will talk about the pros and cons of Xeomin treatments and also compare Xeomin to other botulinum toxin products, specifically Botox.
What is Xeomin injection?
Xeomin is a prescription medication that contains the active ingredient incobotulinumtoxinA. It is a type of botulinum toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. When botulinum toxin (Xeomin) is injected into facial muscles, it temporarily stops them from contracting and thus improves the appearance of glabellar lines (moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows).
One of the key advantages of Xeomin over other botulinum toxin products is that it is manufactured using a precise process that isolates the therapeutic (useful) part of the molecule and gets rid of unnecessary proteins are not required for Xeomin treatment. This makes Xeomin a highly purified neurotoxin. It is believed that the absence of unnecessary proteins can have a positive effect on long-term safety and efficacy, but studies have not been performed to confirm this.
How does Xeomin work?
As you grow older, your skin loses some of its elasticity. As a result, when you squint or frown, the muscles between your eyebrows contract and the skin in this area becomes folded or furrowed. Because your skin is less elastic due to age, the repeated muscle contractions lead to the formation of persistent frown lines. Xeomin contains botulinum toxin type A as the active ingredient. This molecule blocks nerve signals in the treated facial muscles and prevents the muscle fibers from contracting. Ultimately, it leads to a reduction in the lines between your eyebrows. However, the effects of Xeomin fade over time, and therefore, the results of Xeomin treatment are temporary. You need repeat Xeomin injections every few months to treat severe frown lines.
Is Xeomin effective for frown lines?
Xeomin was FDA approved for the treatment of glabellar lines in 2011. The effectiveness of Xeomin treatment for frown lines has been demonstrated by a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial that enrolled more than 500 patients.
Xeomin for Movement Disorders
Xeomin is a prescription medicine. Besides its use in cosmetic treatments, it is also used treat a range of medical conditions such as chronic sialorrhea (long-lasting drooling) in children and adults, upper limb spasticity (muscle stiffness) in adults and children (excluding spasticity associated with cerebral palsy), cervical dystonia (neck stiffness and abnormal head position), and blepharospasm (abnormal fluttering of the eyelids).
What information should I give the doctor before receiving botulinum toxin products?
You should give your doctor a complete medical history before receiving treatment with Xeomin. It is especially important to mention conditions that affect the nerves or muscles. You should tell your doctor if you have ever had side effects or an allergic reaction to Xeomin or any other botulinum toxin product in the past. Give your doctor a complete list of your medicines, including prescription and over the counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Also tell your health professionals if you have received any botulinum toxin product in the last few months.
What happens during Xeomin treatment?
Xeomin treatment usually takes less than 30 minutes to perform. Your doctor will inject Xeomin at carefully chosen locations in your forehead muscles that are causing the frown lines between your eyebrows. The treatment is not painful. Your provider may use an ice pack or a topical numbing agent to keep you comfortable.
How fast does Xeomin work?
Most people start to see an improvement with smoothing of frown lines 3-4 days after the Xeomin injections. On average, results are seen after one week. The maximum effect is seen at 4 weeks out.
How long do Xeomin injections last?
Xeomin effects typically last 3 months. Individual results can vary and you may get significantly longer or shorter lasting results.
What are the side effects of Xeomin?
The most common side effects of Xeomin treatments are headache and injection site pain. Other possible adverse reactions or side effects of Xeomin include muscle weakness, loss of strength, dry mouth, blurred vision, double vision, drooping eyelids, eyelid swelling, reduced blinking, neck pain, tiredness, and respiratory infections. These side effects can occur within hours or weeks after your Xeomin treatments. Tell your doctor if the side effects are severe or do not go away. Be aware that some of these adverse reactions can make it dangerous to drive or operate heavy machinery.
In a small number of people, Xeomin injectables can cause allergic reactions with symptoms such as rash, itching, swelling, redness, wheezing, breathing difficulty, dizziness, or fainting. You should get medical help without delay if you experience any of these symptoms, especially wheezing, asthma symptoms, breathing problems, or swallowing problems.
What are the risks of Xeomin?
Xeomin can cause serious breathing problems or severe problems with swallowing due to muscle weakness. This is a serious and potentially life threatening complication and you should seek emergency medical care if it occurs.
Another risk associated with Xeomin treatment is spread of toxin effects. This happens when the botulinum toxin spreads to areas beyond the intended injection site or target muscles. It can lead to a serious condition called botulism with symptoms such as muscle weakness, loss of strength, blurred vision, double vision, drooping eyelids, changes in voice, hoarseness, trouble speaking, loss of bladder control, trouble swallowing, and trouble breathing.
Who should NOT get Xeomin injections?
Do not get Xeomin treatment if you have a history of allergic reaction to Xeomin or any other botulinum toxin product such as onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox), rimabotulinumtoxinB (Myobloc), or abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport). Xeomin treatments are not suitable for people with an active skin infection or inflammation at the planned injection site. People with certain medical conditions are not candidates for Xeomin, such as neuromuscular conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), myasthenia gravis, and others. Xeomin may not be recommended for people who have trouble breathing, asthma, other lung diseases, bleeding problems, or prior facial surgery. Pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding should not get Xeomin treatment.
How much does Xeomin® cost?
The retail price of a vial of Xeomin is around $1,000. The cost of your Xeomin treatment will depend on how many units are used. Insurance does not cover Xeomin injections because they are elective cosmetic treatments.
Xeomin vs. Botox: Differences and Similarities: Which is better for you?
Xeomin is often compared to another botulinum toxin product called Botox. In the following FAQ section you will find the answers to all your questions about Botox vs Xeomin treatment.
Frequently asked questions about Xeomin vs. Botox
Are Xeomin and Botox the same?
Both Xeomin and Botox are injectable cosmetic treatments that are performed to reduce the appearance of facial fine lines and wrinkles. Both contain botulinum toxin type A as the active ingredient which works by blocking nerve signals and stopping facial muscle contraction at the injection site. Nonetheless, despite these similarities there are some key differences between Botox and Xeomin including their formulation and use.
What are the main differences between Xeomin and Botox?
Xeomin is manufactured by Merz Pharma. Botox is made by Allergan. Besides different manufacturing companies, the primary difference between Xeomin and Botox is that Xeomin does not contain additional proteins that are unnecessary for wrinkle treatment. Therefore, Xeomin is a more purified or naked form of the product, while Botox contains protein additives. The advantage is that Xeomin is less likely to cause antibody formation and antibody resistance which can shorten the effect of the injections.
Another difference between Botox and Xeomin is that Botox must be kept refrigerated while Xeomin can be stored at room temperature, in the refrigerator, or in the freezer.
Conditions treated by Xeomin and Botox
Xeomin is a newer product. It was FDA-approved in 2011 to treat glabellar lines (frown lines). It is also used to treat forehead lines and crow’s feet lines near the eyes. Medical uses of Xeomin include excessive drooling, cervical dystonia (neck stiffness), blepharospasm (eyelid fluttering), and limb spasticity.
Botox is an older product and was FDA-approved in the mid 1980s. Besides being a wrinkle treatment, Botox is used to treat medical conditions such as excessive sweating, migraine headaches, overactive bladder, blepharospasm, and cervical dystonia.
Is Xeomin or Botox better?
Both Xeomin and Botox are effective for cosmetic purposes. They are minimally invasive treatments with no downtime. They start working within a week and the effects last for a 3-6 months.
Is Xeomin as good as Botox?
Some studies have found that Xeomin starts working faster and lasts longer than Botox and Dysport (which is another type of botulinum toxin injection). Other studies have shown that injection of Xeomin and Botox produces similar results. So, the jury's still out on this one.
Is Xeomin or Botox more effective?
Both Xeomin and Botox work well to smoothen frown lines. They are comparable in terms of effectiveness. Your aesthetic medical professional is the best person to tell you which product is recommended for you.
Which lasts longer: Xeomin vs. Botox?
On average, irrespective of the brand name Botox or Xeomin, botulinum toxin injections last around 3 months. In some people the effects can last up to 6 months. Some studies have shown that Xeomin results are longer lasting than Botox.
Which is safer Xeomin or Botox?
Both Botox and Xeomin are safe when the injections are administered by a licensed provider (a medical doctor such as a plastic surgeon or dermatologist).
Insurance coverage and cost comparison of Xeomin vs. Botox
Health insurance does not cover cosmetic treatments like Xeomin and Botox. There are no generic low-cost versions of these products available. In terms of cost comparison between Xeomin and Botox, both are similar in price. On average, an injection of Xeomin or Botox costs around $300.
Common side effects of Xeomin vs. Botox
Both Xeomin and Botox cause similar side effects such as headache and mild inflammatory reaction at the injection site with redness, pain, and swelling. You should tell your doctor if these side effects are severe or you have other side effects such as dry eyes, dry mouth, muscle weakness, or respiratory tract infection. More serious side effects of Botox and Xeomin include allergic reactions and difficulty breathing - you should seek immediate medical care if these occur. Please read the FDA approved product labeling together with your aesthetic provider and go over other important consumer safety information.
Drug interactions of Xeomin vs. Botox
It may not be safe to use Xeomin and Botox with other botulinum toxin products or other medications that can produce similar effects such as muscle relaxants, anticholinergics, curare alkaloids, and aminoglycosides. Possible drug interactions can lead to more severe side effects or other serious health complications.
Warnings of Xeomin and Botox
Both Xeomin and Botox can spread beyond the injection site and cause adverse effects like difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing. This can lead to life threatening paralysis or respiratory failure and even death. You can reduce your risk of serious complications by choosing a licensed professional who will choose exactly which product is right for you, use the correct dose of the product, and perform the injections with the correct technique.
Can I use Xeomin or Botox with alcohol?
Doctors recommend avoiding alcohol for the first 24 hours after Botox or Xeomin treatments because alcohol can thin your blood and worsen some of the side effects, such as bruising and swelling in the treatment area.
Can you use Xeomin or Botox while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Although there is a low risk of Xeomin or Botox entering the bloodstream, these cosmetic treatments are not advisable during pregnancy. It is not known if the products can pass into breast milk, so you should avoid Botox and Xeomin treatment if you are breastfeeding.
How to book a Xeomin treatment near me?
The MeTime app makes it easy to find expert providers who offer Xeomin treatment. You can chat with experts, share photos, get quotes, do video calls and much more through MeTime. Download the MeTime app today and say goodbye to frown lines with Xeomin treatment.
