Xeomin® Injections, An Alternative to Botox®

Wrinkle reduction varies among patients, but improvements from Xeomin® typically last 3 to 4 months before another treatment is necessary. The time between injections increases with repeated treatments, sometimes up to 6 months, to maintain the benefits. Treatments given too early (less than 3 months) may reduce the effectiveness of Xeomin®. Every individual is different and many factors can impact how long Xeomin® lasts including individual metabolism, strength of facial muscles, skin health, and the total amount of Xeomin® injected.

Some patients may see Xeomin® begin to take effect immediately after treatment, but most begin to see more noticeable improvement within 3-4 days of treatment.

For patients getting ready to receive Xeomin® injections, there are several things you may want to know to help you prepare ahead of the treatment. To prevent bruising, many doctors will recommend discontinuing the use of blood thinning over-the-counter medications like Aspirin and Ibuprofen 10 days before your appointment. You’ll also want to avoid taking vitamin E and fish oil. Three days before receiving the injections, doctors advise patients to avoid the use of topical products like retinol and retinoids. One day before your appointment, avoid alcohol to help prevent bruising.

Xeomin® injections do not require any recovery time. Doctors advise to not lay back or fall asleep for several hours after treatment because the injected Xeomin® may spread to nearby areas and cause unwanted relaxation of other muscles. Feel free to resume your regular skin care immediately after treatment. Avoid aspirin-containing products or high-dosage vitamin E supplements for 48 hours unless your doctor has recommended otherwise. Bruising is uncommon, but if it occurs it may take several days for it to clear.

Like any injectable or procedure, there are some risks and side effects of Xeomin®. You should not use Xeomin® if you are allergic to botulinum toxin,if you’ve had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product, or have a skin infection at the planned injection site.

Occasionally Xeomin® injections can cause the natural asymmetry of the face to become more pronounced. Or, the injections may abruptly cause a relaxed area of the face to look more active. These conditions are rare and occur only if Xeomin®  migrates to nearby tissues. If they do occur, they disappear in a few months because the effects of Xeomin® are temporary. Prescription eye drops may also help. Other side effects include eyebrow or eyelid drooping, double vision, and weakness in closing the eyes.

Xeomin® may also cause a headache, even though it may be given to relieve a headache. The new headache occurs because other muscles start contracting to compensate for the relaxed muscles. A severe headache may persist up to 2 weeks after Xeomin® injections, but this is very rare. Prior to treatment, all potential risks and side effects will be discussed with you by your medical provider and cosmetic coordinator.

Most patients find that receiving Xeomin® injections is very tolerable. The needle used for injecting is tiny and cold air and ice packs minimize a slight burning sensation during injection. The treatment will likely only take 10-15 minutes. For cosmetic injections, your provider will cleanse the target area and ask you to frown, smile, or look surprised. These facial expressions will cause you to activate the muscles to be injected. The provider will mark the injection spots with a washable pen and then proceed with the treatment, usually 5 to 20 injections.

After receiving Xeomin® injections, the injected area will look like a mosquito bite for 20 to 60 minutes and be swollen for a few hours. Little red areas may appear but they resolve in a few days. Bruising is uncommon but if it occurs, it may require 7 to 10 days to clear. In the meantime, the bruise can be camouflaged with makeup, which may be applied immediately after treatment. 

You can also speed up Xeomin® absorption by making frowns, raising your eyebrows, smiling, and squinting. Do this several times for a few hours after the injections.

Yes, there are other ways to get a similar benefit provided byXeomin®. Other botulinum toxin injectables such as BOTOX® and Dysport® can provide similar benefits to Xeomin®. These injectables differ only in the proteins that surround that ingredient. All three are very effective, although some seem to work better than others in different individuals.

Other treatments that could provide similar benefits to Xeomin® are resurfacing with the eMatrix or carbon dioxide fractional lasering. eMatrix uses radiofrequency to deliver an effective but controlled ablative and non-ablative fractional treatment for wrinkles, scars, large pores and better skin texture. Each pulse of eMatrix delivers the radiofrequency energy via a grid of matrix spots, inducing a skin injury that is maximized in these tiny, targeted areas. Laser skin resurfacing is a more aggressive treatment approach to skin damage or scars. While it is similar to eMatrix, laser skin Fraxel® is a non-ablative fractional resurfacing meaning it uses lasers to improve skin texture and tone without damaging the skin’s surface.

Yes, Xeomin® may be combined with many other cosmetic treatments in our office. Many patients choose combination treatments to address multiple concerns at once and achieve the best possible aesthetic result. Combined treatments with Xeomin®  may include dermal fillers like JUVÉDERM® VOLUX® XC which add volume to the facial tissue to add definition or reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Another treatment you may want to combine with Xeomin® injections is chemical peels. Chemical peels can help lighten your skin, reduce pore size, improve acne, and stimulate new skin cell growth.

The cost of cosmetic treatments depends on the amount of Xeomin® needed and this varies among patients. We charge based on units used during treatment. Men need more units than women because their muscles are larger.