Xeomin
Xeomin is a versatile prescription medication used to treat cervical dystonia, abnormal eyelid spasms (blepharospasms) and to reduce the appearance of severe wrinkling on the forehead and between the eyebrows. Unlike dermal fillers that contain hyaluronic acid, Xeomin chemically resembles cosmetic injectables like Botox because it contains incobotulinumtoxin A, a type of botulinum toxin that relaxes muscles by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that stimulates the contraction of muscle fibers. Because release of ACh is not completely stopped, muscles will still be able to contract but not as strongly, which allows muscles to behave normally but without as much force.
Similar to Dysport and Botox, Xeomin has been successfully implemented as a facial cosmetic injectable for over a decade since its approval by the FDA. Patients witness visible results within four to five days following an injection of Xeomin, with some patients seeing a noticeable improvement in the reduction of forehead wrinkling within 24 hours. Final results from an injection of Xeomin are usually viewed with two weeks of a treatment session and last for up to six months.
How is Xeomin Different from Dysport or Botox?
On the atomic level, Xeomin differs from Dysport or Botox because it does include protein additives. The benefit from not having protein additives involves patients who stop responding to Dysport or Botox treatments due to the emergence of protein antibodies in the body. Although these antibodies are harmless, they can eventually act as agents that are counteractive to the anti-wrinkling and folding ability of Botox or Dysport.
Because Xeomin does not contain protein additives, its molecules are essentially “naked”, meaning that patients will not develop antibodies to Xeomin’s anti-aging, muscle relaxing properties. Xeomin also provides additional benefits by representing a successful treatment for the reduction of hyperhidrosis, or excessive underarm and palm sweating and for decreasing the appearance of a overly “gummy” smile, in which the lips tend to rise abnormally high above the gum line when smiling.
Information about Xeomin Injections
Injections generally take no more than 10 to 20 minutes and are performed in the Mayoral Dermatology clinic. If requested, a topical anesthetic cream will be applied at the injection site to minimize any discomfort from the injection. Common side effects due to the injection and not the Xeomin include bruising, itching or swelling.
Patients should be aware that the botulinum toxin used in Xeomin is not harmful since only minute quantities are used in this type of dermal filler. Researchers discovered the benefits of botulinum toxin A during the 1950s and have been applying its ACh-blocking mechanism to treat a variety of medical conditions, such as migraine headaches, bruxism (teeth-grinding) and diabetic neuropathy. It is completely safe, long-lasting and very effective in lifting sagging eyebrows and filling out deep folds and wrinkles caused by muscle contractions that are responsible for frowning, smiling and smoking.
