What is Xeomin?
Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA), is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve wrinkles and frown lines between the eyebrows. When you squint or frown, the muscles between your eyebrows contract, causing the skin to furrow and fold. Over time, as your skin ages and loses some of its elasticity, these repeated contractions can cause persistent frown lines. Botulinum toxin type A, the active ingredient in Xeomin, acts on nerve endings in muscles to prevent muscle fibers from contracting.
Xeomin is similar to other products in this category, including Botox® and Dysport®, that also have FDA approval for the treatment of facial wrinkles. Worldwide, more than 84,000 people have been treated with Xeomin injections. Specifically, Xeomin:
- Improves the appearance of wrinkles in between the eyebrows, around the eyes, in the forehead or around the mouth.
- Blocks the signal from the nerve to muscles, causing the muscle to relax and preventing further wrinkling
- Has a short treatment time, fast recovery time, and noticeable results right away.
- Can be less likely to cause allergic reactions due to the absence of added fillers.
Xeomin should not be used interchangeably with other botulinum products.
How is Xeomin Treatment Performed?
During treatment, which usually takes about 10-20 minutes, your provider will inject Xeomin into the muscles in your forehead that cause frown lines between your eyebrows. No anesthesia is required, however, your provider may use a topical anesthetic or cold pack to reduce any discomfort. You may experience brief, mild discomfort during the injection, but you can be assured that the treatment is very safe and effective.
Am I a Good Candidate for Xeomin?
Xeomin requires no surgery and recovery is immediate. Anyone in good physical health, and without a history of neuromuscular diseases (such as multiple sclerosis), is generally a good candidate for Xeomin treatments. It is not recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing, or for anyone under the age of 18.
If you are an adult with moderate to severe glabellar lines, Xeomin may be right for you. Talk to your doctor to discuss the benefits and risks of treatment. Do not use Xeomin if you are allergic to botulinum toxin or any of the other ingredients in Xeomin. You should also not use Xeomin if you have had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product or have a skin infection at the planned injection site.
What Results Can I Expect?
You may begin to see visible smoothing as early as three or four days after injection. The median first onset of effect is less than a week. The maximum effect can take as long as 30 days. The typical duration of effect is up to three months, but may last significantly longer or shorter in individual patients.
Is Xeomin Safe?
Immediately following the Xeomin treatment, some patients may experience mild bruising, which will go away shortly. Side effects of Xeomin are rare and are usually mild and temporary. The most common side effects caused by Xeomin are headaches and temporary redness or bruising of the skin at the site of injection. In some cases, allergic reactions can occur. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to the product may include itching, rash, redness, swelling, wheezing, asthma symptoms, or dizziness or feeling faint. Tell your doctor or seek medical help right away if you have wheezing, experience other asthma symptoms, or if you become dizzy or faint.
If you experience loss of strength or general muscle weakness, blurred vision or drooping eyelids within hours to weeks of treatment, do not drive a car or operate machinery. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not subside. These are not all of the possible side effects of Xeomin. For more information, ask your doctor.
