A lot of people who use these two products wish to know the difference and similarities between xeomin vs botox and peharps that’s why you are here too. Xeomin and botox are 2 common injectable treatments for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. With age comes the appearance of wrinkles and pesky fine lines. This is a thing of concern, mostly among women.
There are many skin care products and treatments that promise to take care of these concerns, but your dermatologist may suggest the use of injectables to achieve smoother younger skin. Xeomin and botox happen to be the injectables used for this purpose.
Now, let’s dive in to discuss the differences and similarities between xeomin vs botox.
ARE XEOMIN AND BOTOX THE SAME?
Although both Xeomin and Botox contain botulinum toxin and are both used to remove wrinkles, they are not the same drugs. Unlike botox, xeomin contains a different type of botulinum toxin with no accessory protein. To get a clearer understanding of the difference between xeomin vs botox, let’s discuss them individually.
ABOUT XEOMIN
Xeomin is the brand name for incobotulinumtoxin A injections. It is explicitly made to target frown lines formed on the forehead between the eyebrows due to constant squinting and frowning.
Aside from treating your frown lines, xeomin injectables are also approved by the FDA to treat non-cosmetic conditions like migraines, chronic sialorrhea (drooling) both in children and adults, and blepharospasm (involuntary eye twitching) and excessive sweating, but you should not use it unless your doctor approves.
Xeomin is sometimes called “the naked injectable” because it was designed to be one of the purest forms of botulinum type A. While other cosmetic injectables may need to be refrigerated before use, xeomin is the first one that doesn’t need to be refrigerated before use.
Antibodies attack foreign substances that come into the body, increasing the risk of complications, but because xeomin is a pure form of neurotoxin, it will not cause the body to produce antibodies, as a result, does not grow resistant to treatment over time.
ABOUT BOTOX
Botox is a commonly used botulinum toxin injection for cosmetic purposes and it contains onabotulinumtoxin A. It should be injected in small controlled doses, as a large amount of it can weaken or paralyze muscles and can be deadly. The protein in this injectable cosmetic treatment targets the muscles of a particular area, relaxing it and hence reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
Your dermatologist may inject it at strategic parts of your face to improve the overall appearance giving you that smooth, youthful look. Apart from cosmetic use, botox has been approved by the FDA to be used for the treatment of several other medical conditions such as chronic migraine, overactive bladder, strabismus (abnormal eye muscle alignment), and severe underarm sweating. For consistent results, the injection should be given every 3-4 months.
XEOMIN VS BOTOX: THE DIFFERENCES
The major difference between xeomin and botox is that Xeomin is made with the “naked” form of botulinum toxin, unlike botox which contains accessory proteins.
But let’s look at other significant differences:
Uses
While xeomin was designed mainly to treat minor to moderate frown lines on the forehead, near the eyebrows, and the eyes, botox was designed mainly to treat a variety of frown lines and wrinkles.
Storage Restrictions
Because xeomin contains botulinum toxin in its pure form, it has less storage restriction, that is, it does not need to be refrigerated before use. Meanwhile, botox has more storage restrictions because it contains other additives, so it will need to be refrigerated first before use.
Side Effects of Xeomin vs Botox
While they both can cause side effects, xeomin has been associated with the following side effects when used to treat blepharospasm (involuntary eye twitching):
– Dry eye- Vision problems- Breathing difficulties- Headache- Sagging eyelids- Dry mouth- Diarrhea
Other possible side effects you could experience from the use of xeomin are: Nasal congestion, high blood pressure, vomiting. Whereas botox could cause facial drooping or weakness and flu-like symptoms.
XEOMIN VS BOTOX: THE SIMILARITIES
Uses: Both Xeomin and Botox are effective in eliminating frown lines, leaving you looking even more youthful.
MODE OF ACTION: Both injectables are neuromodulators that eliminate fine lines by relaxing the targeted facial muscles and blocking the nerve impulses that stimulate contraction. This results in the decreased movement of the targeted area, reducing the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles in the area.
LONGITUDE OF TREATMENT: Both are a temporary cosmetic treatment that wears off after some time and so requires periodic maintenance for a consistent result.
DRUG INTERACTION: Xeomin and Botox should not be taken with any medication that has a similar effect, such as anticholinergic, curare alkaloid, muscle relaxants, and aminoglycosides.
The drug interactions between these drugs and Xeomin or Botox when taken together, could lead to increased side effects. You also should not take Xeomin or Botox with any other botulinum neurotoxin product.
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS: Xeomin and Botox can cause the following temporary side effects like itching, swelling, bleeding, bruising, redness and pain
XEOMIN VS BOTOX: WHICH LASTS LONGER?
Botulinum toxin injections usually last for at least 3 months, although some people may experience longer effects lasting up to 4-6 months. However, some studies have shown that Xeomin lasts a bit longer than Botox.
XEOMIN VS BOTOX: WHICH IS SAFER?
All botulinum injections are likely to spread to other parts of your body, potentially putting you at risk of some serious complications, so be sure to talk with your doctor about any medication you are on before getting the injection to reduce risks.
But since xeomin contains botulinum in its pure form without any additives, making it unlikely for antibodies to attack, you may be spared of whatever allergic reactions.
CONCLUSION
Both xeomin and botox contain botulinum type A and are approved by the FDA to treat frown lines and wrinkles, along with some other off-label uses. The choice of which to use depends on what you want to treat but consult with your doctor first.