XEOMIN^®

Reduce Expression Wrinkles with a Highly Purified Injectable in St. Louis

Frown lines, sometimes referred to as worry lines, are the vertical lines or creases that appear between your eyebrows. These lines can be noticeable when you make certain facial expressions. They occur because of your forehead muscles squeezing inward when you furrow your brows. Although they’re called frown lines, these wrinkles occur due to all of your facial expressions, not just frowning. Expressions such as smiling, laughing, frowning, and squinting can show visible traces of the movement pattern. Frown lines can often look more pronounced as you age. Fortunately, the West County Plastic Surgeons team can relax those wrinkle-forming muscles with XEOMIN^® at the St. Louis-based practice for 2024 and beyond.

How Does XEOMIN^® Work?

You might be wondering, “What is XEOMIN^® made of?” or “What is XEOMIN^® used for on the face?” XEOMIN^® is a prescription medication intended for adults who want a more youthful appearance, but who are looking for a solution that does not require surgery. It is administered via a few injections to the carefully targeted forehead muscles, made by experienced and specially trained providers who maximize natural-looking results.

The active ingredient in XEOMIN^®, just like other neuromodulators, is botulinum toxin Type A. This injectable is highly purified and was originally approved by the FDA for treating moderate to severe frown lines (technically known as glabellar lines). As of 2024, XEOMIN^® has become the first and only neurotoxin to be FDA-approved for the simultaneous treatment of upper facial lines including frown lines, horizontal forehead lines, and lateral canthal lines or crow’s feet.

What are the Top Benefits of XEOMIN^®?

Why choose XEOMIN^®? The additional proteins that BOTOX^® contains may eventually cause some people’s bodies to not respond as well to it. XEOMIN^® is a purified form of the neurotoxin that does not contain the same additional proteins so you may be less likely to develop a resistance to it. Accessory proteins are removed from the active ingredient.

XEOMIN^® is slightly more comfortable compared to other neuromodulators because it is stored at room temperature and does not need to be refrigerated. Sometimes fewer units of XEOMIN^® may be needed to achieve the same results of other neuromodulators. This injectable blocks the signal from the nerve to the muscles, allowing the muscle to relax and preventing further wrinkling.

Who is a Good Candidate for XEOMIN^®?

Who is a candidate for XEOMIN^®? The ideal candidate for this injectable is someone who is seeking a tried and proven, safe, effective, and temporary treatment to address common cosmetic concerns. Its formula makes it ideal for women and men who may not get the results they are hoping for from other options, or for those who have used other injectables for some time and no longer enjoy the same degree of effects.

Who should not use XEOMIN^®? This treatment is not recommended for people who are under the age of eighteen, or a patient who is pregnant or nursing, has an allergy to any of the components of the product, or has certain other chronic medical conditions.

XEOMIN^® vs. BOTOX^®: How Do They Compare?

People sometimes ask–“Is XEOMIN^® as good as BOTOX^®?” XEOMIN^® is different from other neuromodulators because it lacks the extra proteins found in the other brands. All of the unnecessary ingredients are filtered out with XTRACT Technology^™.

XEOMIN^® is a neuromodulator, similar to BOTOX^®. Both injectables make use of botulinum toxin’s unique properties to inhibit muscle contractions for months at a time. Reduced movement means reduced visibility of frown lines—even when the surrounding active facial muscles are working to create a specific expression.

How Do You Prepare for a XEOMIN^® Treatment?

It’s important to tell us about the kind of results you would like to achieve from the treatment. Schedule your appointment at least two weeks before any special occasion to ensure that any lingering side effects subside. Reschedule your appointment if you find a rash, cold sore, or blemish in the treatment area. Avoid taking blood thinners prior to and after this aesthetic treatment.

What Can You Expect During a XEOMIN^® Procedure?

The actual injection session typically takes about 10 to 20 minutes, and no downtime is required after. The area will be numbed beforehand. The needle itself may cause a slight pinch but not pain. No anesthesia is needed, though we will apply a numbing cream, and we use a very small needle. The number of injections needed varies depending on the size of the treatment area. We might ask you to smile, frown, raise your eyebrows, or crinkle your nose to help us identify the areas we need to address. You can resume your normal daily activities after your treatment.

What is the Aftercare for XEOMIN^® and How Long Does It Take to See Results?

Patients typically start to see the skin-smoothing results within three to four days, with signs of aging continuing to diminish in the following weeks. The most dramatic improvement is most often visible after roughly a month.

Results can be expected to last about three to four months, though the specific duration varies from person to person. The duration of the effects will vary based on factors such as the individual’s metabolism rate, age, and skin quality. As patients notice muscle activity beginning to return to the area, they can schedule a new XEOMIN^® treatment session with the West County Plastic Surgeons team.

Side effects to watch for include injection-related discomfort, swelling, redness, bruising, and itchiness. All of these can be expected to resolve naturally, so any effects that last longer than a few days or are more severe should be brought to a doctor's attention. Most people will only experience minimal side effects that last no more than one day.

What Else Is Available for Facial Rejuvenation Aside from XEOMIN^®?

West County Plastic Surgeons also offers Juvederm^® and other dermal fillers for patients who want to add volume to the face to address signs of aging revealed primary due to loss of collagen and hyaluronic acid. In addition to facial contouring, these fillers can smooth out static wrinkles—as opposed to the motion-caused dynamic wrinkles targeted by XEOMIN^®. We also offer other types of non-surgical skin treatments such as chemical peels, microneedling, and dermaplaning. These procedures not only reduce dynamic and static wrinkles but also enhance the general quality of the skin, improving concerns such as dullness, dryness, blotchy skin, uneven skin tone or texture, scars, and more. Microneedling stimulates the healing process of the skin so that it produces more collagen and elastin.

Discuss the range of options with the West County Plastic Surgeons team to discover which treatment or combination of treatments would best work with your face and goals.