In 2001, Xeomin® received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of severe frown lines between the eyebrows — or “the elevens,” as these deep wrinkles are commonly called. This injectable is also used for crow’s feet and forehead furrows.
Thousands of people across the country have been successfully treated with Xeomin®, and this alternative to Botox® and Dysport® is gaining favor with facial plastic surgeons and cosmetic professionals.
How Does Xeomin® Work?
Deep wrinkles around the eyes and forehead areas are created when the facial muscles repeatedly contract — a natural result of making facial expressions over time.
Xeomin® works by weakening the targeted facial muscles, temporarily paralyzing them in order to soften the wrinkles and make them much less noticeable.
How is Xeomin® Different from Botox® and Dysport®?
Like Botox® and Dysport®, Xeomin® is a botulinum toxin type A injectable. All three neurotoxins are similar, but Xeomin® has one key difference: It doesn’t have any additives. It is formulated using a unique manufacturing process that removes unnecessary proteins from the botulinum molecule. The therapeutic component is all that remains, so the neurotoxin is considered highly purified, or “naked.”
With alternative neurotoxins, patients face a small risk of developing antibodies in response to the included additives. If that happens, the cosmetic treatment is no longer effective.
Because Xeomin® is free of protein additives, it can work when Botox® or Dysport® stops working. And the risk of developing antibodies with this cosmetic injectable is incredibly low.
What Results Can You Expect from Xeomin®?
Just like treatments using the other neurotoxins, Xeomin® injections typically take less than 15 minutes. Patients usually experience little to no swelling, redness or bruising. And since you can apply cosmetics immediately after the procedure, you can head right back to work, school or to your other daily activities.
Results from Xeomin® treatment can usually be seen in less than a week. Some patients start to notice visible smoothing much sooner, just a few days after the injection.
For most patients, the effects of this cosmetic injectable last for at least three months. In some cases, facial wrinkles retain their softer appearance for even longer — some patients report results lasting up to six months. This is comparable to both Botox® and Dysport®.
Should You Consider Xeomin® Injections?
When administered by a trained medical professional, Xeomin® can be a highly effective treatment for smoothing age-related wrinkles.
However, with all the available cosmetic treatment options for erasing deep lines and wrinkles, finding the best procedures for you requires the input of an aesthetic professional. The Beauty Now team at Mobley MD Utah Facial Plastic Surgery is here to help. Contact our Salt Lake City office today to learn more about Xeomin® and to determine if it is the right treatment for you.
NOTE: The information provided here is of a general nature and is not intended to substitute for personal advice from an experienced cosmetic surgeon.