Xeomin vs Botox: Which One Is Right for You?
We all experience wrinkles and lines on our faces, even when we’d rather not. Looking in the mirror, it’s easy to feel discouraged and lose confidence. But don’t let these wrinkles affect your happiness or sense of well-being. Inquire about Xeomin or Botox at Enduring Beauty, one of the leading med spa clinics in St. Petersburg, Florida.
What Causes Wrinkles and Lines?
We all will get wrinkles and lines eventually. You can delay their appearance but not prevent it. What causes these wrinkles and lines?
COLLAGEN
Collagen is a fibrous protein that holds all of our skin cells together. It anchors all the skin layers together. The dermis, the middle layer of skin, acts like a scaffold to keep the skin’s surface smooth and wrinkle-free. Collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acids all help maintain this layer.
As we age and are exposed to factors that break down collagen, the foundation of the skin becomes weaker. Over time, collagen production decreases, and the scaffold starts to crumble, causing small areas of collapse. Gravity, along with the loss of elastin in our skin, pushes it into these areas, creating wrinkles, folds, and lines.
ELASTIN
Elastin, as you might guess from its name, is responsible for our skin’s elasticity. It’s what allows all our organs to be flexible and return to their original form after movement. This means we can pinch or pull our skin back into shape, but not forever.
As we age, our skin becomes less elastic. Gravity pulls on our faces and other parts of our bodies. Without collagen to support our elastin, it loses its ability to bounce back. This causes the laxity of skin around our neck, chin, and jawline.
HYALURONIC ACID
You can see a youthful glow on a person’s face when you examine their skin. It’s because their skin is hydrated with hyaluronic acid. This acid also keeps our eyes and other connective tissues lubricated.
As we lose hyaluronic acids, our skin becomes more dehydrated. To keep our skin healthy, we’ll need to use heavier creams that are more hydrating.
FAT REPOSITIONING
Gravity affects all things, including the fat pads and thin layers of fat on our faces. Fat pads give us youthful cheekbones, and we also have a layer that fills out our foreheads and brows.
Over time, this padding will slide down into our lower face. It causes sagging around the mouth, neck, and jawline, as well as thinned foreheads, cheeks, and temples. This makes it easier for wrinkles to appear because of our loss of volume.
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Contributing Factors
With time, the production of collagen and hyaluronic acids will decrease. Other factors can affect how fast we age and lose collagen production. Some we can’t avoid including:
- Genetics
- Illnesses
You can delay the signs of aging by avoiding most of these factors. Avoid these things to preserve youthful skin as long as you can.
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Processed foods and diets high in sugar
- Not enough exercise
- Unmanaged stress for a long time
- Sleeping for long periods of time
- Dehydration
- Excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol
- Poor skincare regimen
The Importance of the Sun
Our exposure to sunlight is the biggest cause of premature aging. Unfortunately, most people don’t protect themselves enough from harmful UV rays, leading to early signs of aging. It’s crucial to use sunscreen every day in any situation because the sun’s rays can reach you even in unexpected places:
- When driving
- Sitting in a windowed office
- Walking from your vehicle to a building
- Installing windows in rooms at home
We wouldn’t age as rapidly if everyone started wearing sunscreen at a young and consistent age. All dermatologists and doctors agree that wearing sunscreen can help prevent aging. You can find the best investment for your skin almost anywhere, and it can be made on any budget.
Dynamic Wrinkles
The wrinkles caused by movement and gravity are different. Dynamic wrinkles result from movement, and these lines develop over the years of repeating the same expressions. Even when you relax, your expressions can still be visible.
For example, your skin can become permanently etched with frown lines that appear between your eyebrows when you’re upset, worried, or concentrating. This happens because your skin moves with the muscles every time they move. As you age, your skin develops wrinkles and lines.
Treatments
Worried about wrinkles or lines? Don’t stress – there are solutions. Chat with your doctor about Botox or Xeomin, which are neuromodulators designed to smooth out those unwanted facial creases. These treatments are safe and effective ways to refresh your appearance. Take the first step towards smoother skin by scheduling a consultation with your doctor today!
Xeomin vs Botox: What Are They?
These injectables belong to a group known as neuromodulators. Both contain small amounts of purified botulinum protein from Clostridium Botulinum. It’s important to note that these products are not interchangeable due to differences in their formulas, potency, and dosage.
Neuromodulators target the movement that leads to dynamic wrinkles. These injections temporarily halt repetitive muscle contractions responsible for wrinkles. They work by blocking the signal from the nerve to the muscle, preventing it from moving.
This interruption in communication is temporary, allowing the muscle to relax and the skin above it to smoothen. As a result, wrinkles gradually fade over time.
What to Expect
Both injectables follow the same treatment steps. Your doctor will discuss your concerns, history with the injectables, and expected results with you to determine the best option. Once a decision is made, minimal preparation is needed. Since these are non-surgical procedures, your focus is on reducing the chances of bruising.
Your doctor will inquire about all blood-thinning medications, including supplements and over-the-counter drugs. It’s recommended to stop taking these medications a few weeks before your treatment, or as per your doctor’s instructions, especially if you are prone to bruising.
Here’s a list of medications to consider stopping before the treatment:
- Fish oil
- Ginseng
- Vitamin E
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
- Aspirin
During Treatment
When you arrive for your appointment, your doctor will apply a numbing lotion to the injection site. This cream will numb the area in about 15 minutes, ensuring your comfort during the treatment.
Next, the doctor will inject a small amount of fluid into the muscles you want to treat, achieving the desired results. After the treatment, you can go back to your regular routine. Many people resume their work or social activities immediately after leaving the office.
Aftercare
These treatments don’t need any downtime. In the next few weeks, avoid rubbing or using facial treatments involving heat. Your doctor might also suggest refraining from strenuous activities for a couple of days.
Results of Xeomin vs Botox
Both treatments have different results. You should compare them to see their differences. This will help you decide which is best for you.
BOTOX
Botox has undergone extensive studies globally and is the most requested cosmetic treatment worldwide, administered by physicians. It is FDA-approved in the US and approved in 76 other countries to temporarily improve the appearance of moderate-to-severe frown lines and crow’s feet.
Although the FDA specifically approves Botox for frown lines and crow’s feet, it is commonly used “off-label” in various other areas. Despite lacking FDA approval for these specific uses, cosmeticians have safely and successfully utilized Botox for treating other regions. The off-label applications include:
- Frown lines between the eyebrows
- Forehead lines
- Crow’s feet
- Bunny lines along the side of the nose
Botox Eyebrow Lift
Botox has the ability to lift the eyebrows and create a more defined arch. This lifting effect happens when the muscles that pull the eyebrows downward are relaxed. It can enhance the openness of your eyes and lessen the appearance of a heavy brow.
Botox for a Gummy Smile
Are you happy with how your smile looks in pictures? Or do you feel like you show too much gums? If you’re dissatisfied with your gummy smile, your doctor can use Botox to address it. This involves reducing the muscle pull that lifts your lips, allowing you to still smile while minimizing the visibility of your gums.
XEOMIN
The same protein is used to make Xeomin, and it behaves in a similar way to Botox. The difference lies in the additional proteins found in Botox. Xeomin undergoes purification to remove these extra proteins and isolate the therapeutic component. As a result, it is the first treatment that doesn’t need refrigeration because it uses the active ingredient in its purest form.
For some patients, Xeomin injections are more comfortable compared to the colder Botox injections, although both treatments can be well tolerated.
The Botox Antibodies
Botox contains accessory proteins, which could cause a patient to develop antibodies against the injectable. This would prevent Botox from having the desired effect. Xeomin has been purified to remove the extra proteins so there’s no chance that antibodies to those proteins will form.
Where Can It Be Used?
The treatment is most effective when used on frown lines between eyebrows. It is used by many doctors to treat forehead etched lines. As with Botox, the reduction in movement will stop lines and wrinkles from getting deeper.
Results from Both Treatments
Both treatments yield the same physical results: relaxed muscles lead to a reduction in wrinkles and lines caused by repetitive movements. The results might take a bit longer.
Visible results can appear as soon as a day after the treatment. Botox, on the other hand, requires 3-5 days for its effects to be noticeable. This makes it a suitable choice for clients who have delayed treatment but have an upcoming event in the next few days. This treatment might soften lines more quickly than Botox.
How Long Do Results Last?
Both treatments can deliver results that last for up to four months. Every patient is unique, and the timeline for each individual will differ. Collaborating with your dermatologist or physician, you can establish the most effective maintenance schedule to maintain a youthful appearance.
Consistency in keeping your appointments on time is crucial for enhancing your results. This is because regularly scheduled treatments help smooth out your skin without interruptions, allowing lines and wrinkles to continue diminishing.
Call Now to Schedule an Appointment
You’ll be pleased with the final results, no matter which treatment you choose. You don’t have to accept wrinkles or lines that impact your appearance. You deserve to feel and look your best.
Call Enduring Beauty to schedule a consultation. We believe in enhancing your natural beauty and are dedicated to providing our patients with the highest quality treatment. Enduring Beauty aims to create a professional and caring environment focused on achieving your best results. We look forward to talking with you.
