While Botox has long served as the go-to neuromodulator to stop dynamic wrinkles from forming and deepening, it’s no longer the only injectable on the market. Now, patients have several choices when they’re ready to prevent and smooth wrinkles, including Xeomin, whose unique formulation has earned it the nickname “naked Botox.”
At Revive Wellness Group in Perrysburg, OH, we know every cosmetic treatment needs to be as individualized as the patient. That’s why we offer the most effective products and treatments, including the three most popular neuromodulators: Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin.
While these three products essentially serve the same function, there are nuanced differences that make each of them more appropriate for specific patients and treatments. Here are all of the ways Xeomin stands out among cosmetic injectables.
What Is a Neuromodulator?
All cosmetic neuromodulator injectables use botulinum toxin to relax dynamic wrinkles. Neuromodulator injections use diluted botulinum toxin to stop the nerve signals to the targeted muscle. The lack of a nerve signal stops the muscle from contracting when you make a facial expression.
Since the muscle doesn’t contract, wrinkles stop forming. Additionally, the lack of line-creating facial movements prevents new wrinkles from developing. The smoothing effects of botulinum toxin last around three months per treatment.
How Do Neuromodulators Differ from Dermal Fillers?
Since neuromodulators work by stopping muscle contractions, their effectiveness is limited to dynamic wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles form when you make a facial expression. Frown lines, a furrowed brow, and crow’s feet are all examples of wrinkles that start as dynamic.
Dermal fillers do not affect nerve communications. Their use targets static wrinkles, which remain on the face regardless of your expression.
What Is Different About Xeomin?
Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin are all injectables approved by the FDA to use botulinum toxin to treat lines and wrinkles. However, there are significant differences between the three treatments. Here are the main ways Xeomin treatments stand out among neuromodulators.
Formula
While Xeomin uses the same active ingredient as Botox and Dysport, its formulation differs from its competitors. Botox and Dysport envelop the botulinum toxin in complexing and accessory proteins. Xeomin has no complexing protein.
While all neuromodulators put botulinum toxin through a purification process, Xeomin undergoes an extra purification step, so no complexing protein is necessary.
Lower Chance of Resistance
Although the occurrence is rare, patients’ bodies may resist botulinum toxin if their bodies develop neutralizing antibodies. When this happens, a patient who initially responded well to their neuromodulator injections may see a decrease in the injectable’s effects or eventually see no effect at all.
Patients who receive higher doses or more frequent neuromodulator treatments may have a higher likelihood of developing neutralizing antibodies.
Most of these patients haven’t developed a resistance to the botulinum toxin itself, but to the complexing proteins. Since Xeomin doesn’t contain any proteins, patients concerned about neutralizing antibodies may choose Xeomin treatments to reduce the chances of developing a resistance to treatment.
Reduced Tightness
While Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin results are similar, some patients report that Botox injections make their facial muscles feel tighter once the injectable begins to take effect.
Some patients enjoy this feeling in their skin after Botox injections, while others do not. Patients who dislike the tight feeling of Botox will find the effect reduced with Xeomin treatments.
Results
Each formulation of botulinum toxin takes effect differently. Botox results begin appearing three to five days after the injection and last for about three to four months.
Dysport is less potent and diffuses better, making it ideal for treating larger areas, like the forehead. Its effect may begin to present within 24 hours. However, Dysport treatments tend to wear off faster.
Xeomin treatments take slightly longer to surface, becoming visible at about five to seven days after treatment. However, its effects may last slightly longer than Botox.
Administration
Xeomin’s lack of extra proteins means it doesn’t require refrigeration, potentially making it a more accessible neuromodulator. In addition, some patients report that since Xeomin treatments are injected at room temperature, they’re slightly more comfortable than other neuromodulator injectables.
Is Xeomin Better than Botox and Dysport?
A few key factors are worth considering when comparing Xeomin with Botox and Dysport. Cost, onset, results, and treatment experience are all critical elements in choosing the right neuromodulator.
Cost
Botox and Xeomin are typically offered at a similar price per vial and administered at the same strength. For example, on average, Botox and Xeomin require 20 units for a forehead treatment.
Dysport measures its units differently, with one unit of Botox or Xeomin equating to two and a half to three units of Dysport. A forehead treatment using Dysport typically requires 50 units.
However, Dysport is less expensive than Botox and Xeomin, so the overall cost is typically the same.
Onset and Results
While Dysport begins to show its effects the fastest, and Xeomin’s benefits appear more gradually, all three of the leading brands of neuromodulators achieve their full results in two to three weeks.
Once working at maximum effectiveness, the results of all three injectables are similar, and even highly experienced physicians would have difficulty determining which botulinum toxin product produced those results.
Treatment Experience
The injection experience and aftercare of all neuromodulators are the same. You can resume your everyday activities regardless of the treatment option. While any neuromodulator injection can result in some slight bruising, it quickly dissipates.
Rely on Revive Wellness Group to Guide Your Treatment
Choosing Xeomin, Botox, or Dysport to prevent and smooth dynamic wrinkles is best decided with a skilled injector’s guidance. The highly trained team at Revive Wellness Group in Perrysburg, OH, can work with you to customize your treatment plans, balancing optimal results with your preferred solution.
Smooth your skin with Xeomin now, and see fewer wrinkles later when you schedule your Xeomin treatment with Revive Wellness Group today. Schedule your appointment directly online or with a quick phone call.