As you age, your skin isn’t able to bounce back like it used to. Wrinkles and fine lines naturally develop, and over time, they can deepen and cause you to look older, angrier, or more tired than you actually are.
When precisely placed, neuromodulators can reduce the appearance of these wrinkles and refresh your complexion. At Columbia Laser Skin Center, we offer our patients two popular cosmetic injectables: Botox and Xeomin.
What Is Xeomin?
Xeomin is a type of neuromodulator used to smooth out facial wrinkles. It is derived from botulinum toxin type A, the same type of bacteria Botox is derived from. Although they are both derived from the same ingredients, Xeomin is formulated using a unique manufacturing process.
When Xeomin is produced, the necessary components of the molecule are isolated, while all other unnecessary proteins are removed. This means there are no accessory proteins, which can help decrease any chances of irritation or allergic reaction. For this reason, Xeomin is known as the “purest” type of injectable neuromodulator.
How Does Xeomin Work?
Xeomin, like other neuromodulators, works to reduce the appearance of wrinkles by targeting the muscles underneath. When injected into your facial muscles, Xeomin disrupts communication between your muscles and your nerve receptors, preventing the muscles from contracting.
By preventing muscle contractions, both your muscles and the skin above have the opportunity to relax. Eventually, without repeated movement, your wrinkles will be able to smooth themselves out.
What Does Xeomin Treat?
Over time, as your skin ages, it loses its elasticity and it becomes harder for your skin to remain tight and smooth, causing wrinkles. When placed correctly, Xeomin can reduce the appearance of moderate to severe wrinkles and fine lines.
In particular, Xeomin is effective in treating dynamic wrinkles — the type of wrinkles that form from repeated facial expressions like smiling, frowning, crying, laughing, or squinting. Even the deepest wrinkles can be smoothed out with Xeomin, including:
- Frown lines
- Crow’s feet
- Lip lines
- Marionette lines
- Forehead lines
- Jelly roll under the eyes
- Bunny lines
- Chin dimpling and chin crease
- Neck bands
Injectables like Xeomin can treat many different areas of the face. Because the placements are so precise, you can reduce the appearance of these wrinkles while retaining your natural movement in other areas of the face. This gives you subtle improvements that will help you look younger while enhancing your natural beauty.
Is Xeomin Safe?
This FDA-approved treatment was approved in 2011 for the treatment of moderate to severe glabellar lines, the frown lines that form between your eyebrows. Along with other types of neuromodulators, Xeomin has been shown to be effective for many patients.
To determine whether you are a good candidate, we will discuss your medical history and any allergies you may have to botulinum toxin or any of the other ingredients found in Xeomin.
How Is Xeomin Different from Botox?
Although Xeomin and Botox are both neuromodulators used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, they differ slightly in their ingredients and results. Xeomin’s unique formula means that you are less likely to have an allergic reaction, and over time, you are less likely to develop a resistance that could reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.
Despite their differences, both Xeomin and Botox are both effective wrinkle relaxers. We will discuss your particular treatment areas and your aesthetic goals during your consultation to determine which type of neuromodulator is right for you.
What Can I Expect from the Procedure?
There are three parts to a Xeomin procedure:
Consultation
Before we schedule your procedure, we will begin with a comprehensive consultation. During your consultation, it is important to be open and honest about your medical history, including any allergies, current medications, and past treatments, so we can safely determine whether you are a good candidate for our injectables.
We will examine your wrinkles, discuss what kind of changes you’d like to see, and answer any questions you may have. Then we will map out where we will place the injectables and design a treatment plan just for you.
Treatment
When you come in for your treatment, we recommend arriving with clean, product-free skin. Then we will prepare to place the injectables. The procedure does not require any anesthesia, but in order to maximize your comfort, we can apply a topical anesthetic to your skin before beginning your treatment.
The procedure itself only takes about 10–20 minutes. We will place your injectables in the specific treatment areas discussed during your consultation. There is no downtime associated with injectables, so you can easily fit your Xeomin appointment into a busy day and return to your daily activities as soon as the procedure is complete.
Results
Every patient is different, but you can expect to start seeing results approximately three to four days after your treatment. It often takes anywhere from two to four weeks for your treatment to take full effect, as your results will gradually develop over time.
Your results can last anywhere from three to four months, depending on how fast your body metabolizes the injectables. After your first treatment, we will have a better idea of how long your facial muscles stay relaxed, and we will schedule follow-up appointments to keep your skin looking seamlessly smooth.
See If Xeomin Is Right for You
If you are ready to learn more about Xeomin, visit us at Columbia Laser Skin Center in The Dalles, OR. We are dedicated to creating a restorative experience while safely delivering beautiful, natural-looking results.
Our team always puts our patients first, so you can count on us to recommend treatment options that are designed just for you. Call today to schedule your consultation.