Botox & Xeomin: Answering FAQs

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Botox & Xeomin: Answering FAQs

Botox & Xeomin: Answering FAQs

If you’ve never had cosmetic injectables before, they can seem pretty intimidating. With the vast amount of information online, you’ve likely encountered plenty of rumors, myths, and glaringly false information about Botox that may make it seem far more nerve-wracking than it really is.

At Medical Tattoo Centers of America, we want to set the record straight. Whether you’re considering Botox or Xeomin injections as a preventive measure or you’re looking to smooth existing fine lines and wrinkles, these facial injectables can be an excellent solution. But before you take the plunge, it’s important you know the truth.

Read on to learn answers to some of our most common questions about Xeomin and Botox injections.

I Heard Botox Is Toxic — Is That True?

The active ingredient in both Botox and Xeomin is a naturally occurring neurotoxin called botulinum type A. That’s why many people mistakenly believe these injections are toxic and dangerous. But given the incredibly small amount of the active ingredient in each unit of Botox or Xeomin, these injections are widely considered safe.

Both injectables have undergone extensive study for safety and efficacy and are cleared by FDA for cosmetic treatment. If you’re worried about safety, here’s a fun fact: Botox is the most widely administered cosmetic treatment in the world. Each year, nearly 8 million people around the globe use Botox as an anti-aging treatment. 

Will Botox Injections Make My Face Look Frozen or Unnatural?

When you trust a licensed and experienced medical professional to administer your Botox or Xeomin, your face should never look frozen or unnatural. The “frozen face” myth is an old one, and it stems from a relatively small number of individuals who trusted inexperienced or unlicensed injectors to administer their Botox.  

When Botox is administered correctly, it should look totally natural. You should notice existing lines and wrinkles get smoother, and if you don’t yet have lines, Botox can help stop them from developing. 

What’s the Difference Between Botox Injections and Xeomin Injections?

Botox injections and Xeomin injections are basically the same thing — with one minor difference. Xeomin contains a pure form of the active molecule, botulinum type A, while Botox has added protective proteins around each active molecule.

Since Xeomin is really just a purer form of Botox, it’s commonly referred to as Naked Botox.

Do Facial Injectables Hurt?

For most people, no. During the injection procedure, your provider will administer an anesthetic to numb the skin, so the most discomfort you’ll likely feel is a small pinch. Many people don’t feel anything at all.

After the injections, you may feel a small amount of discomfort at the injection sites (as is the case with any type of injection you get). However, any lingering irritation usually resolves within a few hours.

What’s the Difference Between Fillers and Botox?

Botox and Xeomin contain a neurotoxin that limits muscle contraction at the injection sites. When the muscles cannot contract as they normally would, existing lines and wrinkles become far less noticeable. Similarly, limiting muscle contractions helps prevent the formation of lines and wrinkles because it’s those repeated contractions that cause the skin to wrinkle in the first place.

Fillers, on the other hand, are used for building volume beneath the skin. Unlike Botox and Xeomin, most fillers contain hyaluronic acid, a hydrophilic compound that helps to plump and lift the skin near the injection sites.

Both injectables are excellent skin care options; they just serve different purposes. Learn all about dermal fillers to decide if they’re right for you, and if you're on the fence about injections, consider trying Micro-Tox, which involves microneedling with Botox, rather than injecting it.

I Heard Botox Injections Are Risky — Is That True?

Botox and Xeomin are very safe when administered by a licensed and experienced injector. They’re both cleared by the FDA to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, as well as prevent their formation.

As with any cosmetic injectable, there’s always a risk of side effects after treatment, but even those are typically mild.

Should I Choose Botox or Xeomin? Is One Better Than the Other?

Since Botox and Xeomin essentially contain the same active ingredient, both types of injections produce comparable results. However, Xeomin does not contain the accessory proteins that Botox has, which again, is why it’s often called naked Botox.

The absence of those accessory proteins is meant to help minimize patients’ risk of developing clinical resistance to Botulinum toxin type A over time. While resistance isn’t super common, it does happen, and people who get repeated Botox-type injections over prolonged periods are at the highest risk of eventual resistance.

If you do develop resistance, the injections will no longer prevent the muscles in the treatment area from contracting, so you’ll no longer see results. If you plan to make injections a regular part of your anti-aging skin care routine, you may want to opt for Xeomin instead of Botox to minimize your risk.

Some patients also find that Xeomin lasts a bit longer than Botox, but only by a couple of weeks. Both types of injections typically last for three to four months but can last as long as six.

Do Botox or Xeomin Injections Have Any Side Effects?

Like all cosmetic injectables, both Botox and Xeomin have potential side effects. These vary from patient to patient and depend on a number of factors, including medical history, immune system function, and others.

Some of the most common side effects of injections with Botulinum toxin type A include:

  • Itching and/or swelling
  • Redness and/or rash
  • Dizziness or feeling tired
  • Headache
  • Dry eyes
  • Minor bruising
  • Pain where the injections were administered
  • Minor muscle weakness near the injection site

Signs of a more serious allergic reaction to Botulinum toxin type A are rare but include:

  • Hives
  • Wheezing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Feeling faint
  • Swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, or face

These symptoms typically show up within 24-to-48 hours after injection, but again, serious allergic reactions are very rare.

Before you can schedule a Botox or Xeomin appointment, you must have a pre-treatment consultation with an experienced and licensed injector. Your provider will chat with you about the potential risks and thoroughly evaluate your candidacy for treatment.

If it appears that you may be at risk for an adverse reaction, any truly qualified provider will let you know and recommend an alternative treatment.

What’s the Difference Between Botox and Micro-Tox?

Botox involves injections, while Micro-Tox is a microneedling procedure that deposits small doses of Botox and other anti-aging skin care ingredients into the upper layers of the skin. Check out our blog, Micro-Tox vs. Botox: What’s the Difference? to learn more.

Schedule a Consultation for Botox Injections in the Twin Cities

Whether you’re looking to smooth existing lines and wrinkles or prevent their formation, Botox injections or Xeomin injections can provide a highly effective solution. At Medical Tattoo Centers of America, our medically licensed injectors are here to help you look and feel your best, so get in touch with us today to schedule a free consultation!

You can also call our Blaine, MN office at 612-770-0000 or send us a message to learn more.

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