Both Botox® and Xeomin are popular and effective botulinum toxin treatments for reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. These injectables are widely used by medical spas, dermatologists and other aesthetic providers. But what’s the difference between Xeomin and Botox®, and which one is the best option for you? In this blog post, we’ll compare these two treatments by exploring the differences, the benefits and more. Let’s dive in.
What is Xeomin?
Xeomin is an injectable neurotoxin medication that was FDA-approved for cosmetic and medical use in 2010. Xeomin is a highly purified form of botulinum toxin type A without additives, earning it the nickname “naked Botox.”
Essentially, this means that Xeomin contains only the active ingredient in Botox® and not any extras. Like Botox®, it is a neuromuscular blocker that temporarily relaxes or freezes the muscles. For cosmetic use, this allows the muscles that contribute to fine lines and wrinkles to relax, improving and smoothing the appearance of these signs of aging.
What is Botox®?
Botox® is the most well-known and popular botulinum toxin neurotoxin injectable. The brand Botox® is manufactured by the company Allergan. It was first approved by the FDA in 1989 for eye muscle disorder before being approved for cosmetic use in 2002. Botox® has been clinically proven to be safe and effective, and its many years of use have made it a preferred choice for many.
Botox® has the active ingredient botulinum toxin type A, thus the name, which temporarily freezes and relaxes muscle activity in the areas of treatment. For cosmetic use, Botox® is administered to treat fine lines and wrinkles.
How do they differ?
The biggest difference between Xeomin and Botox® is how they’re made. As mentioned, Xeomin is a more pure, or “naked”, form of the botulinum toxin type A. It leaves out the proteins that are added to the formulation for Botox®.1 These are called accessory proteins or complexing proteins.
Their FDA-approved cosmetic uses also differ. Botox® is FDA-approved to treat frown lines, crow’s feet and forehead lines. Meanwhile, Xeomin is only approved to treat frown lines2. However, it is often administered off-label for other treatment areas.
As for duration, more research is needed to see if Xeomin lasts longer than Botox®. Generally, both treatments perform about the same, and the duration of effects can depend on the individual and the expertise of the injector. Some individuals may find that Xeomin lasts longer than Botox® while others experience the opposite.
Other than these slight differences, both Botox® and Xeomin have the benefits of being minimally invasive, convenient procedures. They are both outpatient procedures that can often take less than 30 minutes. You can also typically resume normal activities immediately after receiving either treatment.
What are the benefits of each?
Xeomin and Botox® share similar benefits, though there may be some slight differences between the two.
Both Xeomin and Botox® are known for their ability to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. They are also both administered for some medical conditions, like muscle spasms.
One key benefit that Xeomin offers is its “naked” formulation, which is free from complexing proteins. This may mean there is less of a risk for developing antibodies to these proteins3. With repeated injections, the antibodies may reduce the effectiveness of Botox®. If you find Botox® isn’t delivering the desired results, it may be worth considering Xeomin.
On the flip side, Botox’s advantage lies in its long history of success and reliability in aesthetic dermatology. Botox® boasts millions of satisfied patients each year4. While Xeomin has also been proven to be safe, some people are more comfortable with Botox® since it has been used for much longer.
Possible side effects
Both Xeomin and Botox® are generally safe5, but they do have a risk of side effects. Side effects are typically mild and temporary and may include:
- Swelling, bruising and redness at the injection site
- Pain at the injection site
- Headache
- Flu-like symptoms
- Aesthetic concerns like drooping eyelid
You should speak with a doctor if your side effects persist or worsen. There is also a risk for more serious side effects, like allergic reactions. Allergic reactions are rare and may be rarer in Xeomin than in Botox®. Allergic reactions require immediate medical attention. You should also seek medical attention for symptoms like muscle weakness, vision problems, loss of bladder control, breathing problems and trouble talking or swallowing.
How to choose the right injectable for you
Choosing between Xeomin and Botox® will depend on your personal preferences and your history with injectables. You can consult with your injector to determine which treatment is best for you.
Your history of treatment may also affect your choice. If you’ve used Botox® in the past and have been dissatisfied with your results, your injector may recommend an alternative like Xeomin. If you believe you may have developed a resistance to Botox®, Xeomin may be worth considering.
Finally, budget may factor into your decision as well. Depending on where you live and your treatment goals, Xeomin may be slightly cheaper than Botox®.
What to expect for fine lines and wrinkles treatment
The procedure for both Xeomin and Botox® is straightforward, convenient and relatively pain-free. The appointment involves injection of the medication into the treatment area, with most individuals reporting only minor discomfort during the procedure. After treatment, your provider will give you post-care instructions to ensure optimal results. You may experience some mild and temporary side effects which subside within a few days. Make sure to report serious side effects or mild side effects that persist or worsen.
Depending on your choice of treatment, the timeline for seeing results may vary. Generally, visible improvements begin showing within several days, sometimes less with Xeomin. Final Botox® results tend to take a couple of weeks, while Xeomin treatments may take less time. Depending on individual factors, treatment may last anywhere between three and six months. To maintain results, it’s best to schedule follow-up appointments to readminister treatment.
Xeomin vs. Botox Results
Xeomin and Botox’s cosmetic results are comparable, with both treatments being shown to be safe and effective for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Studies have shown no significant differences between the two6, so the choice of treatment will depend on the individual and discussions with their cosmetic provider.
Compare Botox providers in NYC
If you live in New York City, you may run into an issue that many residents face when seeking botulinum toxin treatment: there are a lot of providers and no easy way to compare them. That’s where Certainly comes in.
The Certainly platform makes it easy to compare providers in your area. Just search to find injectors near you and easily compare prices and providers to find the best option for you.
Get Upfront Costs with Certainly Health
Cosmetic treatment pricing isn’t always transparent, but Certainly can help with that too. Instead of being shocked by your bill after treatment, Certainly can give you estimated upfront costs of your appointment. This way, you can choose an injector that fits your budget.
Sources:
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/xeomin-vs-botox
- https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/125360s073lbl.pdf
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3116796/
- https://www.ucsfhealth.org/treatments/cosmetic-botox
- https://www.facialesthetics.org/patient-info/facial-esthetics/wrinkle-treatment/xeomin/
- https://journals.lww.com/dermatologicsurgery/Abstract/2015/11000/A_Randomized,_Double_Blind_Trial_to_Investigate.15.aspx
