Xeomin

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Mesa, Tempe, Gilbert and Scottsdale, AZ

Xeomin is an FDA-approved cosmetic injectable alternative to Botox that improves the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows. It’s a prescription treatment injected into the facial muscles of the upper face. In just one simple procedure, this injectable can be strategically placed to smooth, rejuvenate, and refine. 

By temporarily disabling the muscles in the treated area, like Botox, Xeomin smooths away wrinkles and lines. Its active ingredient is almost identical.  Like other neuromodulators, Xeomin contains botulinum toxin type A, a protein derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This protein directly affects the nerves of the muscle it is injected into. However, unlike Botox, Xeomin offers a simpler, more purified formula that is less likely to cause allergic reactions. In fact, this effective treatment even has the celebrity seal of approval from movie star Gwyneth Paltrow herself!

At Scottsdale Plastics, plastic surgeon Robert G. Bonillas, M.D., can use Xeomin to address deep brow furrows that may have become more conspicuous over time. This will allow you to rediscover a more youthful upper face, and enhance your natural beauty. To set up a personal consultation at Scottsdale Plastics call us at (480) 245-6380 or use our inquiry form to book an appointment.

About Glabellar Lines

Our facial muscles serve two major functions in the body: mastication (chewing) and facial expressions. (1) And, the system of muscles in the eyebrow area is vital to convey our emotions to others. But the repeated expression of emotion on our faces over time makes dynamic rhytides, or wrinkles, that form with repeated expressions – an inevitability.

Known medically as glabellar lines, frown lines are immediately visible when we move our eyebrows closer together. When we look in the mirror, we can see them clearly when we squint, lower our eyebrows, or express dissatisfaction. Like any dynamic line in facial expression, glabellar lines become far deeper and more noticeable with age. Moreover, they are a common, challenging visible sign of aging in the face that cannot be addressed with even the highest quality at-home treatments. 

What’s a Neuromodulator?

Neuromodulators affect the way the nerves communicate with the muscles. Both Xeomin and Botox belong to a group of injectables that use the neuromodulator botulinum toxin type A to disable muscle contraction and smooth wrinkles. This type of treatment is the gold standard of minimally invasive aesthetic facial procedures as it’s cost-effective and has such a simple recovery. And, because it’s fast and produces great results time and time again, it’s also one of the most commonly performed in-office procedures in the world. 

Purer, Simpler Facial Rejuvenation

There are several different subtypes of botulinum toxin. While Botox is composed of onabotulinumtoxinA protein, Xeomin is incobotulinumtoxinA. As well as being a slightly different variant of the neuromodulator, Xeomin also contains fewer additional ingredients. This formulation decreases the chance of an allergic reaction occurring as a result of treatment. Several studies have shown that this purer form could be the main reason behind Xeomin’s greater efficacy and the reduced risk of unpleasant side effects. (2)

Why Choose Xeomin?

  • Minimizes moderate to severe glabellar lines
  • Smooths and rejuvenates the targeted area
  • Simple, fast in-office procedure
  • Safe for all skin types
  • Lower risk of allergic reaction than Botox
  • No downtime or lengthy recovery period
  • Lasts up to 6 months

Candidates

Xeomin is a great choice for older patients with moderate to severe glabellar lines. However, it’s becoming increasingly popular with patients in their 20s and 30s looking to keep frown lines at bay before they become more apparent. As it’s a purer formulation than Botox, there’s a lower risk of allergic reactions, providing peace of mind and yet another excellent option for non-surgical facial rejuvenation. 

Please tell Dr. Bonillas before you plan your Xeomin treatment if you:

  • Have had any other botulinum toxin procedures in the last four months
  • Have received injections of botulinum toxin such as Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin in the past
  • Recently received an antibiotic by injection
  • Take muscle relaxers or allergy medication
  • Have a condition that may affect your treatment
  • Have a serious medical condition such as a bleeding disorder
  • Have a disease that affects your muscles and/or nerves (e.g. ALS)

You should not get Xeomin injections if:

  • You have had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product 
  • You have an unresolved skin infection at the planned injection site
  • You are pregnant or breastfeeding

Personal Consultation

If moderate to severe frown lines are getting you down, you will have the opportunity to discuss your needs with Dr. Bonillas at a personal consultation at his Scottsdale office. He will ask you to fill out some basic personal information and give some details regarding your medical history. He will also ask you some specific questions regarding any prior facial rejuvenation procedures you have had, if any. Please feel free to speak to Dr. Bonillas about Xeomin, and any other treatments you are interested in for other areas of your face, such as dermal fillers. Please feel free to use this opportunity to ask questions!

Preparation

Preparing for Xeomin injections is simple. Before your procedure:

  • Avoid blood-thinning medications (including aspirin and NSAID pain relievers) seven days before your procedure.
  • Avoid herbal supplements that thin the blood (e.g. St. John’s Wort, ginkgo biloba)
  • Don’t use certain skin care products (e.g. tretinoin, other retinoids, glycolic acid.
  • Don’t wax, bleach, or tweeze hair from the planned injection site.
  • Stop alcohol consumption 24 hours before your procedure.
  • Arrive at our office with a clean, makeup-free face.

Procedure

A Xeomin injectable procedure is simple and comfortable. Treatment time is usually very short, with the average session taking between 10-20 minutes. Dr. Bonillas will choose strategic injection sites to target the muscles between your eyebrows that cause frown lines. The process is so comfortable that no anesthesia is required. However, Dr. Bonillas may give you the option of receiving topical anesthesia or a cold pack to reduce discomfort. Most patients describe only mild discomfort during and after the procedure.

Recovery

Recovery after Xeomin injections requires no downtime, just a few simple precautions. Once your session is complete, you are free to leave our office. Redness is expected, and there may be some light bruising. You may experience mild headaches, mild discomfort at the injection site, and some easily manageable swelling, but these symptoms will resolve quickly.

Dr. Bonillas encourages his patients to exercise the injected muscles to ensure an even spread of Xeomin in the area. For the first few hours after your session, please remain in an upright position and do not lie down or rest your head at an angle. To relieve discomfort, gently rest a covered ice pack on the treatment area, but do not apply too much pressure. You can also take acetaminophen (Tylenol) if there is any discomfort. Take care when applying and removing makeup, and when applying any skin care products to the area in the days that follow.

Results

Although results are not instantaneous with neuromodulators, it won’t take long before you see the results from your Xeomin procedure start to materialize. Visible smoothing of glabellar lines can be seen as early as 3-4 days after injection. For most patients, it can take around a week to see results. The frown-smoothing, rejuvenating results from Xeomin last between 3-6 months!

Injectables at Scottsdale Plastics

Botox

The classic neuromodulator, and an alternative to Xeomin, Botox remains an instantly recognizable favorite with many beauty aficionados to treat dynamic wrinkles and lines caused by facial expressions. Speak to Dr. Bonillas about which of these injectable wrinkle-reducing treatments is best for your individual circumstances.

Juvéderm

Thinking of getting Juvéderm and Xeomin at the same time? It’s possible! Juvéderm is for plumping and adding volume to the mid- and lower face, and can be the perfect complement to the smoothing action of Xeomin in the upper face. It’s a hyaluronic acid filler that can be used in many areas and is particularly beneficial in reducing the appearance of nasolabial folds.

Juvéderm Voluma XC

Juvéderm Voluma XC is specifically for use in the cheeks to accentuate and add volume. It’s a long-lasting HA filler that’s an integral part of the Juvéderm repertoire. With added lidocaine for patient comfort, the procedure is a simple, straightforward way to fill out age-related cheek hollowing.

Sculptra

Sculptra is another dermal filler that works to plump and boost areas of lost tissue volume in the face. Unlike Juvéderm, Sculptra is a poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) filler. PLLA fillers can be immensely beneficial in facial rejuvenation as they stimulate the body’s production of collagen, to achieve the youthful, radiant aesthetic you desire!

Cost of Xeomin in Scottsdale, AZ

Every neuromodulator treatment is different. Dr. Bonillas tailors every treatment to the goals of each patient. And, in some cases, you may opt for multiple facial rejuvenation services in the same session. Because of this, the price of your Xeomin treatment may vary. To achieve smoother, more youthful-looking skin, and a more youthful visage, call Scottsdale Plastics and book a personal consultation with Dr. Bonillas. Contact us at (480) 245-6380 for more information.

If you enjoy reading about the latest surgical and non-surgical procedures at Scottsdale Plastics, please join Dr. Bonillas on social media and read more on his Beauty Talk Blog!

References

  1. Westbrook, K. E., & Varacallo, M. (2019, February 7). Anatomy, Head and Neck, Facial Muscles. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493209/ 
  2. Walker, T. J., & Dayan, S. H. (2014). Comparison and overview of currently available neurotoxins. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 7(2), 31–39. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3935649/