Only wanting to deliver the best products to our clients, The Skin Center Medical Spa is evaluating the effectiveness of XEOMIN®, the latest wrinkle-reducing treatment to receive FDA approval. As the largest provider of injectable wrinkle treatments in the Tri-State Area, we have been given a preview quantity to sample prior to the market-wide launch in March. And here’s what we’ve learned so far…
Xeomin (pronounced ‘ZEE-oh-min’) is gaining the attention of beauty experts everywhere— for the treatment of crow’s feet, forehead creases, frown lines (or glabellar lines) between the eyebrows. Following the grand success of Botox® Cosmetic and Dysport®, Xeomin is the third muscular neurotoxin available in the United States to fight unwanted wrinkles. And with more and more women beginning preventative wrinkle treatment injections as early as their twenties, it naturally follows that there will be more “tox-type” treatment options available to consumers.
What exactly is Xeomin?
Like other neurotoxins (also known as neuromodulators), the active ingredient in Xeomin is outline toxin type A. It works by blocking nerve impulses to temporarily relax the muscles that cause wrinkles while giving the skin a refreshed, smooth and younger appearance.
What makes it different from its “Coke and Pepsi” counterparts, Botox Cosmetic and Dysport?
Considered more like Botox than Dysport, Xeomin takes about one week for the full effects to take place. Xeomin patients typically start to notice the wrinkle-relaxing effects within one to four days—a bit sooner than with Botox or Dysport. As with Botox and Dysport, results with Xeomin vary and are largely dependent on the severity of your wrinkles at the onset of treatment. A side benefit to all three wrinkle-relaxing products is that many patients experience a slight eyebrow “lift” for a more rested and aesthetically pleasing look.
Xeomin is produced by Merz Pharmaceuticals, the makers of the popular Radiesse® cosmetic filler. Xeomin is considered a “naked” neuromodulator, since it contains no additives. Yet, at this point, the single most distinguishing feature of Xeomin, is that it does not require refrigeration prior to reconstitution, making it easier for transportation and storage. Xeomin is now used by nearly 100,000 people and is approved in 20 countries.
So, will it last?
Comparable to Botox, peak results with Xeomin should last from 60 to 90 days. To maintain the effects of ANY wrinkle relaxing treatment, injections should be repeated every three to five months.
The cost?
You’ll find that Xeomin prices vary among providers. At The Skin Center Medical Spa, Xeomin will be priced similar to BOTOX. You can expect to see introductory pricing and occasional special offers.
The Skin Center’s in-house evaluations:
We recruited a small group of patients to try Xeomin prior to launching this product. We treated their crow’s feet near one eye with Xeomin and the other eye with Botox. Dosages were equivalent. The evaluation was “blind” meaning that patients did not know which product was used on each side.
Most of these women found that the onset of Xeomin was quicker than Botox—by one to three days. Five out of six patients stated that the side treated with Xeomin produced a slightly smoother look compared to the side treated with Botox. It’s too soon to state the long-term effects of Xeomin for this group of patients.
Mary’s Xeomin experience:
One of our Xeomin volunteers, Mary, her logged her experience for the first week after treatment with just Xeomin. Mary is a 40-year-old working mom with a mild case of forehead creases, vertical frown lines between the eyebrows and fine lines around the eyes. Here is her personal experience:
Day 1: Today, I received my very first (ever!) wrinkle relaxing treatment with Katie Bishop at the Wexford location. I was definitely excited, but a little nervous as well. Katie asked me what my areas of concern were—to which I said, ” my forehead, my 11’s and definitely the smile lines around my eyes!” Being that this was my first time, she suggested we only do a “sprinkling” on my forehead so that it would appear more natural. She explained my aftercare regimen (to maintain an upright position and not to rub the area for several hours) and provided me with an ice pack to slightly numb the treatment area. She started with my 11’s—which didn’t hurt at all. The forehead and the eye area slightly hurt—but it wasn’t too bad. It was all over in about 5 minutes and I was on my way. That evening, about 4 hours later, I did have a very mild headache near the treatment area (forehead), but that certainly could have been my two children running around while I was making dinner!
Day 3: So far, I have seen some small changes in my ability to make the “mean mommy face” as the lines on my forehead and between my eyes (11’s?) have slightly softened. I can definitely see a difference at the corner of my eyes though—there is one spot, right at the corner of my eye—nearest the injection site, where the lines are definitely starting to fade. Today, I did feel a slight burning sensation at the corners of my eyes—first my left (first injection site) and then my right which subsided in a few short hours. But, it’s working!
Day 4: Tonight was the holiday party at our club, so what a great chance to see if anyone noticed! By now, the lines on my forehead, between my eyes and the corners of my eyes have definitely gone away and I have almost no movement in those areas, meaning I can’t make those faces!! So far so good…
Day 7: 100% taken effect, and I love it. It does feel a bit weird, but I love how it looks.
The Xeomin bottom line?
It works—and it’s probably an option that’s here to stay. Still wondering which of these injectable wrinkle relaxing treatments is better? Our guess is that, like Coke vs. Pepsi, it’s a matter of personal preference.
Perhaps you’d like to do your own “taste test” and try a Xeomin vs. Botox/Dysport experiment of your own at The Skin Center. Xeomin should be available at the Skin Center sometime in March. Call us at 1-800-421-1151 for an appointment!
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