TOXIN INJECTIONS
What is Xeomin®?
Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription medication injected into muscles and used to temporarily improve the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults. Xeomin® contains botulinum toxin type A, a protein purified from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
How does Xeomin® work?
When you squint or frown, the muscles between your eyebrows contract, causing the skin to furrow and fold. Over time, as your skin ages and loses some of its elasticity, these repeated contractions can cause persistent frown lines. Botulinum toxin type A – the active ingredient in Xeomin®– acts on nerve endings in muscles to prevent muscle fibers from contracting. By reducing these contractions, Xeomin® can temporarily reduce the lines between your eyebrows.
I have only heard of Botox, why would I want Xeomin®?
The main difference is that Botox and Dysport injections include an attachment protein to take the relaxing agent. With the years, patients can build a protein tolerance, causing the Injectable filler to become less effective. Xeomin® includes no accessory protein, making it a purer source.
Is this treatment safe?
Xeomin® has been approved by the FDA for cosmetic use for years and has already been administered to tens of thousands of patients. The injections are nonsurgical and are not known to cause adverse reactions. Because it is so gentle, this treatment has no downtime. You can resume your normal activities immediately after receiving it. We just ask that you remain upright for 4 hours after the treatment (not laying your head down for a quick nap). We also recommend to avoid strenuous exercise for the first day because strenuous activity can cause the product to move out of the muscles you want to target.
How long does the procedure take and when can I expect to see results?
After an initial consultation to determine the best treatment options and placement the procedure only takes 10-20 minutes. You may begin to see visible smoothing as early as 3-4 days after injection, but typically within one week of treatment. The results of one session last between 3 and 4 months. Making them an ongoing part of your cosmetic routine is easy. Just schedule an appointment to renew your injections when you feel you need to refresh them. With only 3-4 sessions per year, you can benefit from their skin-smoothing effects all the time.
How many units will I need?
The correct amount varies from patient to patient, and we can determine the right dosage for you when you come in for a consultation. Generally, glabellar lines (frown lines between your eyebrows) take 20 units. For crow’s feet, you might only need 5-15 units. Forehead lines affect people very differently in terms of their number and their severity, so the units needed to treat them range from 10 to 40.
What are the possible side effects of Xeomin®?
The most common side effect is headache (5.4%). Possible side effects include itching, rash, red welts, wheezing, asthma symptoms, dizziness or feeling faint. Other side effects may occur including dry mouth, pain or discomfort at the injection sites, fatigue, headache, neck pain, and eye problems such as double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight, drooping eyelids, swelling or your eyelids, and dry eyes. Immediate or serious allergic reactions have been reported with Xeomin®.