Should You Choose Botox or Xeomin for Cosmetic Injectables?
Considering getting Botox injections to prevent or minimize fine lines and wrinkles? Then you should know Botox isn’t the only cosmetic injectable that can help you maintain a youthful, smooth complexion. Xeomin injections work similarly to Botox and deliver comparable anti-aging results.
Which one is better? That depends on what you’re looking to achieve. Let’s take a look at the similarities and differences between Botox and Xeomin, so you can make an informed decision about which injectable is right for your needs.
Botox vs. Xeomin: Treatment Areas and Lasting Power
Both Botox and Xeomin can effectively treat all of the same types of lines and wrinkles. Both injectables can also treat other conditions like hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), urinary incontinence, and headaches. They can even help reduce TMJ discomfort by relaxing overactive jaw muscles.
In terms of lasting power, results from both injectables typically last three to four months and sometimes as long as six. However, Xeomin may last a few weeks longer than Botox, but results vary from person to person.
Botox vs. Xeomin: What’s the Active Ingredient in Each?
Botox and Xeomin contain the same active ingredient: botulinum toxin type A. This substance is a neurotoxin that prevents neurotransmitters in the treatment area from releasing a substance called acetylcholine. That substance is what allows muscles to contract, and those contractions are what cause lines and wrinkles to develop over time.
Both Botox and Xeomin inhibit the release of acetylcholine, thereby preventing muscles in the treatment area from contracting as they normally do. By prohibiting those contractions, both cosmetic injectables help prevent line and wrinkle development and minimize the appearance of existing signs of aging.
Botox vs Xeomin: Active Ingredient Differences
Although Botox and Xeomin use the same neurotoxin to prevent muscle contractions that cause lines and wrinkles, the chemical structure of the toxin in each injectable isn’t quite the same.
Botox contains botulinum toxin type A with accessory proteins attached. Xeomin contains a purified form of the toxin that doesn’t have those proteins, which is why it’s often referred to as “naked Botox.”
Potential for Resistance to Botulinum Toxin Type A
While botulinum toxin type A is FDA-approved and has been safely used for decades by tens of millions of people, it can trigger an undesirable immune system response with long-term use.
After many months or years of injections, some people’s immune systems develop neutralizing antibodies that can result in clinical resistance to the toxin. That resistance can decrease the effectiveness of the injections or even render them completely ineffective, depending on the person.
This phenomenon can occur over time with all botulinum toxins in the type A family (Botox, Xeomin, Dysport, and Jeuveau). However, cosmetic injectables like Xeomin that don’t contain accessory proteins are designed to help decrease the risk of long-term resistance.
Can You Avoid Resistance to Botulinum Toxin?
It’s possible to minimize the risk of clinical resistance to botulinum toxin type A. However, each person’s immune system is unique, so some people may develop resistance regardless of any risk-reduction measures taken.
How do you minimize resistance? Choose a qualified, skilled, and experienced injector who knows what they’re doing. While resistance isn’t super common, it may be more likely with improperly placed injections or dosages that are too high. Over-dilution or doses that are too low can also increase the risk.
Choosing a purer formulation of the toxin (aka Xeomin) may also help reduce your likelihood of developing resistance over time.
Not sure you’re ready for injections? Then check out what you should know about Micro-Tox (aka baby Botox) to see if it might be the right treatment for your anti-aging needs. Fractional plasma skin resurfacing treatments are also highly effective against lines and wrinkles.
Schedule a Free Botox or Xeomin Consultation in the Twin Cities
If you’re interested in getting Botox or Xeomin injections, reach out to our team Medical Tattoo Centers of America to schedule a free consultation! We offer a wide variety of medical-grade cosmetic treatments and can help you determine which type of injectable is best for your needs.
To get started, feel free to call our Blaine, MN clinic at 612-770-0000 or request a consultation online, and we’ll get in touch to schedule you!