Volume loss in the face due to aging or sun damage can cause you to develop fine lines and wrinkles on your face. This has led more and more people to seek help to achieve a younger look.
50% of young women are worried about wrinkles, especially as they become older. Injectables have been popularized in cosmetic medicine to promote smoother, younger-looking skin.
Your dermatologist or a cosmetic surgeon may recommend Botox or Xeomin. Both injectable procedures help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Before the introduction of Xeomin and Dysport, Botox was the only botulinum injectable available for treating facial lines and wrinkles.
This leads us to questions such as: what is the difference between Xeomin and Botox? Is there one that works better than the other? Are there any similarities?
What is Xeomin?
Xeomin, manufactured by Merz Pharmaceuticals, is an injection treatment produced from incobotulinumtoxinA, a form of botulinum toxin type A. The FDA first approved Xeomin for cosmetic use in 2010 before approving it for excessive drooling, blepharospasm, and cervical dystonia.
The neurotoxin repairs frown lines, glabellar lines, and crow’s feet. Xeomin does not contain preservative proteins. That’s why it’s also known as the naked injectable.
This means that Xeomin is a pure form of neurotoxin that will not trigger the production of antibodies in the body. When you use Xeomin, the body does not develop resistance to the treatment over time.
What is Botox?
Botox, manufactured by Allergan, is well-known for reducing fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Some people use it to treat persistent migraines, excessive sweating, and overactive bladder.
Botox is the brand name for onabotulinumtoxinA, another form of botulinum toxin type A. Botox contains preservative proteins.
The FDA first approved Botox in 1985 to treat some medical conditions before being approved for cosmetic use in 2002.
What are the Similarities Between XEOMIN and BOTOX?
XEOMIN and BOTOX are both injections that use botulinum, a bacteria-derived neurotoxin. They are used to reduce and eliminate the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles.
Whether your wrinkles or facial lines develop due to sun damage or after years of repetitive muscle movements (like frowning), Xeomin and Botox can help. The muscles that cause your overlying skin to fold can’t contract when botulinum is injected beneath the skin into the underlying muscle. This smoothes out the muscles and the skin.
Both XEOMIN and BOTOX treatments have zero downtime and only take a few minutes to complete. You can have your injections over a lunch break and return to work or other activities.
XEOMIN and BOTOX results are temporary, which means they usually last for a few months before you’ll need a new treatment to maintain the results. Over time, results last longer because both injectables can reduce the nerve signals and prevent wrinkles.
Avoid Xeomin and Botox when using other medications (such as aminoglycosides, anticholinergics, curare alkaloids, and muscle relaxants). Also, using other botulinum neurotoxin products with Xeomin or Botox can worsen your side effects.
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What are the Differences Between XEOMIN and BOTOX?
Here we’ll look at the treatment effects, formulation, cost of treatment, and dosage of both injectables.
Treatment Effects
Xeomin mostly treats glabellar lines (lines between the eyebrows). It can help you reduce or eliminate moderate to severe lines.
Typically, Xeomin results last around three months, and people start seeing results within a week after treatment. Although, the full effects can take up to a month to show.
Xeomin can also treat other conditions including excessive drooling and salivation, cervical dystonia, eyelids, limb spasticity, and temporarily reduce frown lines, and crow’s feet around the eyes.
Botox mostly treats facial folds and lines such as forehead lines and wrinkles, frown lines, crow’s feet lines, and wrinkles around the eyes.
Botox can also treat other conditions such as headaches and migraines, overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating in the underarms, hands, scalp, and head.
Typically, Botox cosmetic treatment results last between three to six months, and sweating treatment results last six to nine months. Botox, like Xeomin, can be used to treat muscular spasms and abnormal limb, neck, and eyelid contractions.
Formulation
XEOMIN doesn’t contain any additive proteins. That means you are less likely to develop antibodies and resistance to the treatment.
BOTOX contains additive proteins, which may initially be beneficial. Over time, you may develop antibodies and resistance to BOTOX treatment due to these proteins. Because of this, people who stop responding to BOTOX may get results with XEOMIN treatment.
Treatment Cost
Injectable pricing can vary from practice to practice. Some will charge by the area, while others charge by the unit. The price for XEOMIN and BOTOX can range from $10 to $15/per unit on average. And the number of units needed for XEOMIN and BOTOX are fairly comparable.
Dosage
The amount of botulinum toxin in a unit of either XEOMIN or BOTOX is similar. However, the difference in formulation means there may be some difference in the dosage a person needs for a similar condition.
Who Can Use XEOMIN and BOTOX?
BOTOX and XEOMIN are safe for most people. However, you should avoid these treatments if you have a skin infection near the planned injection sites. Wait for the skin infection to heal up before having your treatment.
Pregnant women and nursing mothers are advised to avoid these treatments. Also, if you are allergic to the protein albumin, avoid these treatments because albumin is an active ingredient in both.
XEOMIN or BOTOX in Atlanta: Which One Should You Choose?
While Botox remains the world leader in botulinum toxin, Xeomin performs similar functions. So your selection will be based on personal choice, the affected area on your skin, and your experience with injectables.
We recommend that you visit a highly experienced injector for any cosmetic injection and filler to find out which is right for you. To learn more about your treatment options and what to expect, contact us to schedule a consultation.
