There’s no way around it: we are all bound to age at some point, which comes with unwanted lines and wrinkles. If a more youthful-looking face with smoother skin is something you desire, neurotoxins are hands down the easiest and quickest way to soften and reduce the look of lines and wrinkles. All types of neurotoxins work towards the goal of creating smoother-looking skin, but if you are deciding between Xeomin vs. Botox, making the right choice for you can be difficult, which is why it’s imperative to understand the pros and cons of each.
How Xeomin Works
Xeomin is an injectable neurotoxin formulated from the same purified protein as Botox. Both work the same way, but Xeomin lacks the extra proteins found in Botox, making it more purified.
Xeomin was FDA-approved in 2010. It works by inhibiting the release of certain chemicals that cause the facial muscles to contract. Since Xeomin halts communication between the nerves that signal facial muscles to contract, it leads to less visible skin wrinkling. However, Xeomin is an effective wrinkle reducer but not a permanent solution, so you must maintain your results with repeat injections once the effects wear off.
Like other neurotoxins, Xeomin can be used to treat facial areas prone to experiencing expression-related lines and wrinkles like the forehead, crow’s feet, and between the eyebrows. In addition to the standard neurotoxin treatment areas, we also use neurotoxins to treat the armpits and the palms of the hands to help control sweating, the traps, all of the lower face including the masseter muscle to slim the jaw area, and the platysma muscles to soften neck bands, the nose for nasal slimming, and the eyelids for a subtle lifting effect especially in the case of saggy lids.
How Botox Works
Botox is by far the most widely studied, tested, and popular injectable neurotoxin. It was the first neurotoxin to receive FDA approval and has a long-standing track record. Similar to Xeomin, it, too, works to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles by stopping the communication between the nerves and facial muscles. When there is no signal from the nerves telling the muscles to contract, expression-related lines and wrinkles disappear, although temporarily.
FDA-approved Botox has several on-label uses, but it also has many off-label uses. Some more commonly injected areas with Botox include the frown lines between the eyebrows, forehead lines, crow’s feet, the neck, and the bunny lines on the side of the nose. We can also inject it into the armpits and the palms of the hands to help with excessive sweating, the traps, the lower face, the nose for a slimming effect, and the eyelids for a subtle lifting effect, especially in the case of saggy lids.
Key Differences Between Xeomin and Botox
The biggest difference between Xeomin vs. Botox is that Botox contains accessory proteins, which can, over time, lead to Botox resistance due to the development of antibodies and impact the overall results. The additional proteins in Botox can also cause allergies and adverse reactions. Since Xeomin is a more purified injectable formulated without the extra proteins, it’s virtually impossible for those antibodies to form. Xeomin also does not need to be refrigerated, extending its shelf.
Some people choose Xeomin over Botox because of its more purified formulation, which doesn’t contain additives. This makes Xeomin a more natural and purer neurotoxin, which also reduces the chance of allergies. Knowing that there are no additional proteins is also more comforting to some patients.
Effectiveness and Results Comparison
The visible results from Botox and Xeomin are relatively the same. Both neurotoxins relax the muscles, improving the appearance of lines and wrinkles caused by repeated movement. However, some people notice a small difference in the duration of the results, which is negligible.
Xeomin tends to take effect faster than Botox, and in some patients, the results may be visible as early as one day after treatment. Botox takes three to five days, if not longer, to kick in. When making the choice between Botox vs. Xeomin, you should take into consideration the protein factor of Botox and how quickly you want or need the impact to be noticeable.
Safety and Side Effects Comparison
Xeomin and Botox have undergone rigorous clinical studies to validate their effectiveness and safety over the years. While rare yet mild and temporary side effects, such as mild pain and muscle weakness, can occur with either treatment, severe side effects are uncommon.
Though Xeomin may lead to fewer allergic reactions than Botox, post-treatment side effects can still happen. Both injectables can potentially cause:
- Bruising, redness, and swelling at the injection site
- Bleeding
- Pain
- Itching
- Headaches
It’s always best to undergo a full consultation to determine your best treatment.
What to Consider When Choosing Between Xeomin and Botox
Deciding if Botox or Xeomin is better for you may seem like a tough decision; ultimately, your injector’s preference for one toxin over the other will be the deciding factor (unless you strongly prefer one or the other). Different injectables can treat various areas of the face. You’ll also want to evaluate your history of allergies, past experiences with neurotoxins, your budget, and your personal preference. A consultation with our team is best to help make your decision easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences between Xeomin and Botox?
The biggest difference between Botox and Xeomin is that Xeomin is a purer version of Botulinum toxin Type A. This helps to reduce the potential for allergies. Botox contains more proteins than Xeomin.
How do the effectiveness and results of Xeomin compare to Botox?
Both Botox and Xeomin offer results that can last up to four months. While everyone is different, and results vary for each person, staying up to date with your maintenance appointments is essential so that your results remain intact without interruption.
Are there any specific advantages or disadvantages of choosing Xeomin over Botox, or vice versa?
Both Botox and Xeomin are effective treatments, but if you have a known allergy to neurotoxins, consider Xeomin over Botox. Some data shows that Xeomin may last a little longer than Botox.
How can I decide which neurotoxin treatment is best for my needs?
We recommend a consultation with our team so that we can help you determine the best treatment for you based on your previous experience, goals, and considerations.
What should I discuss with my provider before choosing between Xeomin and Botox?
When weighing your options of Xeomin vs. Botox, you should discuss with your injector your goals and objectives, budget, medical background and history, the look you are going for, specific areas where you want to tackle wrinkles, your budget, and your commitment to the treatment.
