Xeomin
One day, you peer in the mirror and notice something is different. The subtle lines between your eyebrows aren’t so subtle anymore, and you look much older than the youthful spirit you feel like inside. Years of facial expressions have given rise to wrinkles in the areas where your face moves most. These lines are known as “active wrinkles,” and when they appear repeatedly over the years, they can become permanent features of your face. It’s time to do something about them — but what?
Injectables called neuromodulators temporarily halt muscle movement in areas where active wrinkles appear. These minimally-invasive treatments relax existing wrinkles for several months at a time, while simultaneously helping to prevent new wrinkles from forming. At Terrasse Aesthetic Surgery, we offer several neuromodulators that help turn back the clock, including Xeomin®. Dr. Anthony Terrasse is a skilled plastic surgeon who can guide you through our injectable options to determine which one suits your unique needs. If you’re interested in learning more about Xeomin® or other neuromodulators offered at our Lake Forest facility, please visit our contact page or call us at 847-234-2400 today!
What Is Xeomin®?
Like Botox®, Xeomin® is an injectable that consists of the neurotoxin botulinum toxin type A. When this neurotoxin is introduced to the facial muscles, it inhibits the nerve signals that initiate muscle contractions, so the muscles remain in a relaxed state. This, in turn, means the overlying skin doesn’t crease and fold, and the wrinkles that once appeared during facial expressions soften. Xeomin® is FDA-approved to treat moderate to severe vertical lines found between the eyebrows (also known as glabellar lines or 11 lines). Xeomin® is also used in other areas of the face, such as the forehead or around the eyes.
Xeomin® is similar to Botox®, Dysport® and Jeuveau™ in terms of life span and use. However, it differs from these other neuromodulators in terms of its ingredients. Xeomin® is a highly purified neuromodulator. It is made using a precision manufacturing process that isolates the therapeutic component of the botulinum toxin type A molecule and removes any accessory proteins that don’t play an active role in treatment. This can be beneficial for a couple of reasons. Without accessory proteins, Xeomin® is less likely to cause an allergic reaction in patients. Patients are also less likely to become resistant to Xeomin® with continuous use. Xeomin® can be an excellent alternative for patients who have built up a resistance to neuromodulators that contain accessory proteins.
Ideal Candidates for Xeomin®
Most women and men can safely be treated with Xeomin®. Many patients express interest in injectables when they notice their wrinkles are becoming more prominent or becoming embedded over time. Others decide to begin using Xeomin® as a preventative treatment, easing the muscle contractions that cause lines before they become deeply etched-in creases. Xeomin® is helpful for smoothing lines in the following areas:
- Wrinkles framing the eyes, also known as crow’s feet
- Deep wrinkles found in the forehead
- Creases that run from the lips to the chin, also known as marionette lines
- Nasolabial folds, or wrinkles that run from the nose to the lips
While Xeomin® is known mainly for treating wrinkles, neuromodulators also serve a number of other functions, such as treating hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating in the armpits or palms). Xeomin® has a variety of medical applications, including:
- Treating neck pain caused by cervical dystonia
- Treating abnormal spasms of the eyelids (blepharospasm)
- Treating muscle stiffness associated with upper limb spasticity
- Treating chronic excessive salivation (sialorrhea)
The Xeomin® Procedure
During an initial consultation, Dr. Terrasse will discuss your concerns and health history to determine which neuromodulator is best suited for you. He will also examine your skin and assess the degree of correction required to achieve your desired outcome. This evaluation allows Dr. Terrasse to personalize your treatment by giving you the optimal number of injections in the most beneficial locations. Customizing your Xeomin® treatment ensures you receive the wrinkle-relaxing results you want while maintaining the natural look and mobility of your face.
Dr. Terrasse will begin the treatment by cleansing your face. Once your skin is properly prepared, he will use an ultra-fine needle to administer Xeomin® directly into the targeted muscles. You may feel a slight pinching sensation during the treatment, but most patients tolerate the injections well. An optional topical anesthetic can be applied to the area before the injections if you are concerned about discomfort. Treatment length depends on the size and number of areas being targeted, but the procedure typically takes less than 10 minutes. Dr. Terrasse may recommend using an ice pack before and after the treatment to mitigate any discomfort and minimize the chance of swelling and bruising.
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Schedule NowXeomin® Recovery and Results
There isn’t any required downtime following Xeomin® injections. You can resume most normal activities immediately afterward, but should avoid exercise for 24 hours. Common side effects of Xeomin® include swelling, bruising, minor tenderness and headaches. These unwanted effects are typically mild and short-lived. Dr. Terrasse will inform you of all potential side effects before your treatment takes place.
Results begin to appear approximately three to five days after a session. You will notice your skin starting to smooth out and wrinkles becoming less prominent in the areas where the injections were administered. It typically takes 30 days for the muscle-relaxing effect of Xeomin® to reach its full potential. Results typically last three to four months before muscle movement and the resulting wrinkles gradually return. Ongoing maintenance appointments can be scheduled to sustain your rejuvenated look.
Xeomin® at Terrasse Aesthetic Surgery
Wrinkles are frustrating, but they’re nothing to furrow your brows or frown about. Xeomin® is an effective way to combat signs of aging and boost your self-confidence without the discomfort and downtime of a surgical procedure. Terrasse Aesthetic Surgery offers several neuromodulators, and Dr. Terrasse can help you determine which one is best suited for your needs. If you would like more information about Lake Forest Xeomin® and would like to schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Terrasse, please contact us at 847-234-2400 or visit our contact page today.