What Is Xeomin®? How Do Neuromodulators Work?
Over time, our facial muscles don’t really change, but our skin becomes thinner and our facial fat pads diminish. As we age, our skin creases more easily with muscle movement. Xeomin® prevents wrinkles because it lessens this movement, helping to prevent frown lines, smile lines, forehead furrows, and other wrinkles from forming.
When injected, these “botulinum toxins,” also known as neuromodulators, prevent nerves from talking to the muscles. The molecules block this communication so that the muscle doesn’t contract. When the muscle stops contracting, the skin stops bending.
Skin rejuvenates itself constantly. It’s always remodeling, turning over, building up, and tearing down. When the muscle no longer moves, the skin actually eliminates wrinkles on its own. When a crease no longer has a function, the skin removes the line as it regenerates.
The results of neuromodulators can be very long lasting. Even as you regain movement in the muscles, it takes time for the process to repeat itself and for the lines to reappear.
What’s the Difference Between BOTOX® Cosmetic and Xeomin®?
BOTOX® Cosmetic and Xeomin® work similarly.
Most patients can’t tell the difference between a BOTOX® Cosmetic injection and a Xeomin® injection. Your provider will be able to walk you through the two products and can recommend the best neuromodulator for your unique skin care needs.
Otherwise, the procedures are the same. They both require injections and a series of treatments with a similar level of discomfort.
What Xeomin® Can and Can’t Do
Xeomin® makes lines go away. The deep-etched lines take a few more treatments before they disappear, but eventually they will fade. Xeomin® won’t make you happy, fix your marriage, or find you a job. But, if you’re looking to make your wrinkles disappear, it can definitely do that!
Why Do We Get Wrinkles?
Wrinkle relaxers provide remarkable improvement in the appearance of wrinkles on the forehead, around the eyes, and lip lines. As you age, your skin loses elasticity. The lines that appear between your brows (frown lines) and around your eyes (crow’s feet) are the result of muscle movement and the passage of time.
After years of crinkling and wrinkling, those frown lines and crow’s feet linger and become more pronounced. We encourage men and women to start low doses of Xeomin® before wrinkles become permanent. After wrinkles have formed, regular injection of these neuromodulators can smooth and eliminate these troublesome signs of aging.
Treatments for frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead wrinkles are the most common. However, we treat other areas of the face as well. In most cases, treatment can visibly smooth and soften these wrinkles.
Beyond the Frown Lines
When most people think of cosmetic injectables like Xeomin®, they usually associate them with treating common facial wrinkles such as frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet. But these popular neuromodulators offer many more possibilities.
These versatile treatments can be customized to address a wide range of aesthetic concerns, helping to rejuvenate and refresh multiple parts of the face and neck, including bunny lines, chin dimpling, marionette lines, masseter muscles, neck cording, and more.
If you’ve hesitated to call your dermatologist about Xeomin®, there’s no need to worry. An experienced professional will tell you which injection will work best for your needs and how much you need. If your goal is to remove lines, these injections will do just that!
Xeomin® Cosmetic Do’s and Don’ts
DO Your Research and Ask Questions
Before you make your appointment, ask the office staff these questions so you know what to expect from treatment:
- Does this office include an on-site medical director who is a board-certified dermatologist?
- How much training has my injector had?
- Are all treatments customized per patient?
- Who performs the treatments?
As you find out this information, remember that a dermatologist is best trained to care for the skin and to supervise skilled injectors. It’s always best to seek care from someone who’s an expert in treating skin conditions.
DO Follow Post-Treatment Instructions
- Exercise your face muscles for about two hours after treatment. Make expressions that move your eyebrows, mouth, and forehead. Scrunch your face, frown, smile, and raise your eyebrows.
- Don’t lay down for four hours following your treatment.
- Skip your workout for the day.
DO Follow a Treatment Schedule
You’ll see the best results if you stay on a regular treatment schedule. When movement returns to the treated areas, make an appointment to get your next injections before those lines return too.
DO Ask Will My Treatment Be Customized?
During all injections, the degree of relaxation is up to you. Our expert injectors can customize the dose you want to avoid a “frozen face” expression. Rather, you’ll enjoy a pleasant, relaxed and younger-looking appearance. You’ll look like yourself – only with less noticeable frown lines and crow’s feet.
Have more questions about Xeomin®? Contact us to schedule a consultation.