The appearance of facial wrinkles often equates to ageing, and anti-wrinkle treatment is the most popular non-invasive aesthetic treatment globally. When we think about anti-wrinkle treatment, we often think of Botox ®. Now, there is a newer generation of botulinum toxin, Xeomin ®.
Since its launch in Malaysia, I have used Xeomin ® in my practice. I am honoured to have contributed to the Xeomin ® Advisory Board Meeting held in 2019. Here’s all you need to know about Xeomin ®, the pure botulinum toxin for your wrinkles.
What is Xeomin®?
Xeomin ® is the trade name for Incobotulinum toxin type A. It is an injectable medicine used by aesthetic doctors to improve the look of moderate to severe wrinkles. When injected into a muscle, it relaxes the muscle temporarily, resulting in a reduction of wrinkles. What is unique about Xeomin ® is that it contains 100% of active ingredients, free from complexing proteins.
How Xeomin ® works?
The botulinum toxin protein blocks the chemical transmission between the neuro-muscular junction. It stops the muscle from creating a contraction, thus resulting in muscular relaxation. This effect is temporary. On an average of 4 months, the muscles regain their strength, and wrinkles will reappear. With Xeomin®, I can help my client reduce facial wrinkles without compromising facial expression.
What is the difference between Botox and Xeomin ®?
The main difference in Xeomin ® is that it is free from complexing proteins. It is the purest formulation of neurotoxin. It may mean that there is less risk of developing antibodies against the botulinum toxin protein. The development of antibodies could render a neurotoxin treatment ineffective, leaving us with fewer options to treat wrinkles.
Clinical studies have shown Xeomin ® delivers comparable clinical results with Botox [1]. My clinical experience noted that Xeomin® worked as quickly and lasted as long as other brands of botulinum toxin. Many of my patients who had tried other brands of neurotoxin and subsequently switched to Xeomin ® commented that the treatment does not cause them to feel stiff and heavy over the treatment area.
How can a botulinum toxin antibody affect us?
Our body produces antibodies in response to a foreign invader. The formation of antibodies towards the botulinum toxin protein will cause our muscles to resist the effect of neurotoxin treatments. Because botulinum toxin treatments are getting more common and people are getting injected more frequently at a younger age, there will be an increase in the incidence of neurotoxin resistance. Although being resistant to neurotoxin does not cause any harm to the body, it will be unfortunate when it causes botulinum toxin treatment failure when it is needed medically. Hence, it highlights the importance of choosing a product with the least risk of causing botulinum toxin resistance.
Is there any risk?
When done by an experienced aesthetic physician, Xeomin ® treatment is very safe. There are some risks that apply to all botulinum toxin products. These risks include bruising at the injection site, potential allergic reaction and risk of facial asymmetry. Injection around the eyes by an inexperienced doctor may cause temporary blurring of vision or asymmetry in brow or eyelid positioning. As the risk of each neurotoxin treatment may differ depending on the treated area, it is advisable to have a prior in-depth discussion and consultation with the treating doctor.
What are the treatments I perform using Xeomin ®?
The treatments I perform commonly with Xeomin® include;
1) Forehead wrinkles
2) Glabella wrinkles
3) Crows feet’s wrinkles
4) Bunny lines wrinkles
5) Under-eye wrinkles
6) Gummy smiles
7) V-shaping
8) Temporal muscle reduction
9) Chin dimpling
10) Korean’s porcelain skin treatment (Pore size reduction)
Xeomin Treatment Before & After by Dr Edmond
