When Do Xeomin Results Show?
While every patient is a little different, you can expect to see the effects of treatment within three to five days. Many patients note improvements in their forehead lines first, and this can happen within just 24 hours of treatment. As a general guideline, final results will show within 10 days.
When compared to a number of other cosmetic therapies, including similar injectables, this treatment produces rapid results. It’s not unusual for a treatment to need upwards of two weeks before results start showing. This injectable takes less than a week, with results depending on the severity of your condition and age.
How Does It Work?
Like other popular neuromodulators on the market – including Botox and Dysport – this injectable contains botulism. This ingredient provides the ability to correct fine lines and wrinkles. Long ago, and purely by accident, doctors discovered that botulism stops muscle movements that cause wrinkles. In turn, patients see smoother skin and a more youthful appearance.
Targeted Treatment Yields Results
We carefully inject the serum into specific muscles that induce wrinkles. This allows the rest of your face to continue moving in a very natural way. Additionally, the treatment is temporary, so your face won’t be permanently frozen or molded into one appearance. You’ll still be able to emote as you always have.
It is for this subtle but visible change that some patients prefer neuromodulators to fillers. The other alternative is to combine these therapies for a fully rejuvenated appearance. You may, for example, choose to pair Xeomin with an injectable filler that restores volume to your cheeks. After reviewing your skin and appearance, we can create a comprehensive treatment plan for you.
Comparing This to Other Therapies
If you’re thinking this treatment sounds a little like Botox, you’re right. They both contain the same active ingredient and yield nearly identical results. They also work in the same way, which is to block messages between neurotransmitters and the brain to prompt muscle movement. What, then, is the difference?
It comes down to formulation. Xeomin contains a single ingredient – botulism toxin A – so that many call it the “naked injectable.” Botox contains this key ingredient along with additives that reportedly help it produce faster results.
How Is This Possible?
The neurotoxin does not need accessory ingredients to function; just the opposite, it works as effectively as Botox. Consequently, the offshoot differences are these: Xeomin does not need to be refrigerated, and it is less likely to lose efficacy once inside the body.
Over time, some patients report that Botox stops producing results. Healthcare providers often try to correct this by injecting higher doses, but the real problem is within. The immune system can and does identify the additives in Botox as foreign invaders. It responds by producing antibodies intended to neutralize the injectable, and in turn, the body becomes resistant to its effects.
Subtle But Real Differences
Xeomin is purified with an extra step so that nothing covers its active ingredient. To better understand, you can imagine this injectable and Botox as chocolate candies. Botox has a hard outer shell, while the other is only a chocolate core. Their activity is the same, but clinically, they are administered in slightly different ways.
Having said all of this, a study of both injectables showed neither doctors nor patients could see a difference in how they ultimately gave results. Each is associated with quick treatment sessions; injections themselves take 10 minutes or less. And each is sensitive to technique, meaning they depend on correct administration. This is why our staff is well trained in injectables therapy.
Which Is Better?
This always comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer Botox because it allegedly delivers faster results. Others like Xeomin because it does not contain additives. This means patients don’t develop immunity to the treatment, and it has fewer ingredients so it weighs less than Botox. It can therefore spread more evenly once injected beneath the skin.
How Long Do Results Last?
This is the number one question on most patients’ minds. In general, the effects of this injectable last between three and four months. Some patients report results that continue as long as six months. The keys are in how your body responds to treatments, and what steps you take to prolong the effects. For example, not rubbing the treatment site for around 48 hours after injection can ensure the serum stays in place.
Also skip harsh facial products, like exfoliators, and instead opt for gentle cleansers, at least for the first few days after treatment. This, too, can prevent product migration. Keeping the injectable in place will help its effects last as long as possible.
Steer Clear of Sun and Heat
We further recommend you limit sun exposure each day. Sun damage causes early signs of aging; when you are going to be outside, plan to wear sunscreen and keep skin protected with clothing.
For the first 24 hours, you should also avoid excessive heat. This means passing on tanning beds, saunas, and hot tubs. Heat can cause the serum to migrate, and once it does this, you’ll need another session to treat the desired area.
Watch Your Diet
Some studies suggest zinc supplements can help injectables last longer. In tandem with your diet – which should be focused on fruits and vegetables and eliminate processed foods as much as possible – is drinking plenty of water. This hydrates the skin from within to keep it looking plump and fresh.
Finally, if you smoke, now is a great time to stop. The chemicals contained in cigarettes significantly ramp up the aging process and cause more fine lines and wrinkles. Smoking also restricts blood flow that is crucial to youthful skin. By stopping now, you’ll help your skin in the long-run.
Before and After Treatment
About a week before treatment, we suggest you stop taking these medications and supplements:
- Aspirin
- NSAIDs (anti-inflammatories)
- Ginkgo biloba
- Vitamin E
- Fish oil
These therapeutics contain compounds that may increase your likelihood of bleeding or bruising during treatment. It’s also wise to avoid antioxidants immediately before treatment. While antioxidants are extremely healthy and should be a routine part of your diet, they can also prevent blood clotting. It is therefore best to avoid red wine, cinnamon, green tea, and multivitamins.
Enjoy Other Nutrients
Foods you can plentifully eat prior to treatment include those rich in vitamin K. This helps thicken blood, which in turn reduces your chances for bruising and swelling. Reach for leafy greens like kale and broccoli, in addition to fish, cabbage, and broccoli.
After Treatment
This treatment is non-invasive, so patients can resume normal activities – except those listed above – immediately after their appointments. Many call this the “lunchtime facelift” because it effectively minimizes lines and wrinkles in a very short period of time.
Differences Between Neurotoxins and Dermal Fillers
A variety of fillers give you a wide range of treatment choices, but it’s good to know that each is designed to address specific concerns. Neurotoxins help reduce the appearance of fine lines by reducing muscle movement. They’re popular with patients because they work.
Understanding Fillers
Dermal fillers, also ve
ry popular, have gel-like consistencies injected under the skin. They help plump specific areas – such as the cheeks – and enhance contours, reduce scars, correct skin folds, and smooth lines for a rejuvenated appearance.
In general, dermal fillers come in four different varieties:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Poly-L-lactic acid
- Calcium hydroxylapatite
- Polymethylmethacrylate
Frequently Asked Questions
You have questions about this treatment, and we have answers. First, we can tell you these injections do not hurt. We use a very fine needle so your body is minimally affected. By following the recommendations provided earlier, you’ll minimize any risks for bleeding and bruising as well.
Do Neuromodulators Eliminate All Wrinkles?
These injectables generally work best on fine lines in the forehead, around the eyes, and near the mouth. They are less effective in such areas as the cheeks.
Additionally, you should know these therapies impact dynamic lines, which are those that appear when you move your facial muscles. Static lines are those that remain in place even when the face is immobile. They’re caused not by muscle movement, but by sun exposure and aging. A dermal filler is the best way to correct these, and as mentioned earlier, we can combine therapies in a way that is most comprehensive for you.
Do Wrinkles Get Worse After Injections?
If you stop your injectables treatment, lines will not instantly worsen. We do want to caution you, however, and say the normal aging process will continue. Neuromodulators help slow this process by inhibiting some degree of facial movement; although you can still emote, targeted muscles are essentially “frozen.” This prevents treated lines from getting worse.
How Often Is Treatment Required?
We recommend maintenance sessions every four to six months. Some patients report that the more treatments they have, the longer they see effects.
Where Can Treatment Be Administered?
This is a list of the treatment sites Xeomin can be used on:
- Forehead
- On sides of eyes
- Around the mouth
- Chin
- Jaw
Is This Treatment Dangerous?
Many studies confirm the cosmetic use of botulism toxin A is very safe. Its effects are temporary, so you’ll never need to worry about permanent changes to your face. In addition, this particular injectable is among the most purified of all that are used, which reduces the potential for adverse reactions.
Some patients, however, should delay treatment or opt for a different therapy. These include pregnant women and patients with specific skin disorders. We’ll review this information during your consultation to craft a plan best suited to your needs.
When Is the Best Time to Start Treatment?
The correct answer to this question is anytime. It does not pose any age restrictions, meaning it’s right for patients in their 20s and upwards. The most notable aspect of neuromodulators is this: starting treatment earlier is better than delaying. If you’ve been considering this therapy for some time, we recommend you come into our office for a consultation.
Can Only Women Benefit?
Injectables are designed for both men and women. Where once we as a society believed only women cared about the effects of aging, we now understand that men do, too. With this in mind, the number of men seeking cosmetic therapy has steadily risen in recent years.
An Anti-Aging Solution
You won’t know the benefits of Xeomin until you experience them for yourself. Call the caring staff at Satin Med Spa in Charlotte, NC, today to schedule your appointment.
