Neurotoxins –
Botox & Xeomin
Botox is a well-known brand name of neurotoxin, but there are also another one we prefer called Xeomin. These treatments only take minutes and result in improvement of dynamic wrinkles – like crows feet, the furrow between your brow, and forehead lines. We are known for our natural, great results with these products. You will look and maybe even feel more relaxed and youthful after a treatment with either Botox or Xeomin!
What are Neurotoxins?
When Botox and other neurotoxins are used for cosmetic purposes they decrease dynamic wrinkles, or those wrinkles that form as a result of facial movements like squinting, smiling, and furrowing your brow. By decreasing the exaggerated expressions caused by hyperdynamic muscles, there is improvement and smoothing of the facial wrinkles in the areas treated.
Botulinum toxin has been in use since 1970, but it wasn’t officially approved by the FDA for cosmetic use until April 2002 . Since then botulinum toxin has truly transformed aesthetic medicine!
Now neurotoxin treatments (like Botox) are the most popular single cosmetic procedure in the U.S. In fact, The American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimated that in 2018 more than seven million people received these injections. To put that number in perspective, more people received neurotoxin injections than live in Colorado!
Are Neurotoxins Safe?
Injections for cosmetic improvement with Botox and the other approved neurotoxins are one of the safest cosmetic treatments around today, even though it initially may sound the scariest. Botox has been used for over 20 years and has an outstanding safety profile. The botulinum toxin stays in the muscle it is injected to and does not travel anywhere else in the body. If you stick to an expert injector, such as a cosmetic medical derm provider, the risks are extremely low. Adverse side effects are possible, including: pain, swelling, or bruising at the injection site. Headache or flu-like symptoms have also been reported.
The main risks are, for instance, a temporarily droopy eyebrow or eyelid if the placement of the neurotoxin isn’t perfect or too much is injected. Sometimes people complain of a slightly heavy feeling in the forehead if neurotoxin is used in that area, but that, too, is temporary. There is a small, theoretical risk of developing antibodies to neurotoxins and becoming immune to it, but I personally have only seen this once in thousands of injections over 22+ years.
Where can Neurotoxins be used for cosmetic improvement?
It is used to correct furrow lines between your brows, horizontal forehead lines, lines on the nose, smile lines (crow’s feet) around your eyes. It can also lift the eyebrows a little and help to fix a smile that shows too much gum on the upper teeth. It can be used in the lower face to lift the corners of the mouth, smooth chin dimpling and reduce lines in your upper lip. It can even soften the tight bands in your neck, known as platysmal bands, that get more obvious with age.
Additional Applications: Underarm Sweating
This area can be treated with Botox and will decrease underarm sweating for up to 9 months!
How long do these Neurotoxins last?
Patients can begin to see results within five to seven days, with full correction at the fourteen-day mark. These effects are temporary and typically wear off somewhere between 3 and 5 months.
What are the different neurotoxins offered at Evolution Dermatology + Wellness?
Botox® (OnabotulinumtoxinA):
This was the first commercially available type of Botulinum toxin in the United States. Its approval for cosmetic use was approved by the FDA in 2002. Its safety is well established. Botox is not only FDA approved for cosmetic use, but also approved for medical use to treat a number of conditions including chronic migraines, spastic disorders, bladder incontinence, excessive underarm perspiration, and certain types of neck pain and eye issues.
Xeomin® (IncobotulinumtoxinA):
Xeomin was given the FDA approval in July 2011 for cosmetic treatment as well as the treatment of medical conditions such as cervical dystonia and blepharospasm
How does it differ from Botox?
Xeomin is an innovative Botulinum type A formulation, in which the complexing proteins have been removed from the botulinum toxin complex. In contrast to the other preparations, Xeomin contains the pure 150 kD neurotoxin (the active ingredient). Xeomin, without the extra proteins, has the lowest content of bacterial protein of all of the available botulinum toxins. This means that even in high doses, it has a lower incidence of forming antibodies (therefore resistance). One unit of Xeomin is equal to one unit of Botox.
Which Neurotoxin is best for you?
They have been used safely and effectively for years. Which of these products is best for you will depend on your unique anatomy, your goals, and your medical provider’s recommendations. A good way to think of it is like toothpaste…some prefer Colgate toothpaste, others Crest, but no matter what the brand they all get the job done!
Just make sure you have an experienced medical provider performing the treatment. It makes a difference with someone who knows your anatomy, the nuances of these neurotoxins, and how to best avoid unwanted side effects.
For instance:
- We have found that pain and bruising at the injection site can be minimized with the use of a small-gauge needle, and icing the area post injection.
- We know that it is important to make sure a balance is achieved between decreasing the activity in hyperactive muscles and maintaining natural facial animation.
Before Your Neurotoxin Appointment
To minimize bruising consider stopping (if not medically necessary) any blood thinners such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and even fish oil supplements for 2 weeks prior to your appointment.
To minimize both bruising and pain, ask your medical provider for ice packs to cool the area treated before and after your treatment.
A Few Post-Treatment Things to Consider:
One great thing about these injections is that no recovery time is required! You won’t have to take off work or school. You can resume your normal activities right after (with a few small exceptions mentioned below).
Neurotoxins need some time to settle into the muscle. For the first 24 hours, avoid other skin treatments like: facials, facial massages, exfoliating scrubs (where pressure is applied)
Sit up for the first 4 hours after getting your treatment. Bending or lying down might spread the toxin and promote bruising. This means no taking a nap, massage or anything where pressure might be applied to the area treated.
If exercise is part of your daily routine, wait at least 4 hours (and up to 12 hours if you can!) to work out. Physical activity increases blood flow. This could potentially spread the toxin to unintended areas and reduce its effectiveness at the injection site. It also increases the risk of bruising.
Additional FAQ from our providers
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