What are Botox, Dysport and Xeomin?
Botox, Dysport and Xeomin are prescription (injectable) medicines primarily used to improve the look of face wrinkles and neck bands by relaxing the underlying muscles that cause them. We also use Botox, Dysport or Xeomin for face or jawline slimming (aka jaw or masseter muscle reduction for masseter hypertrophy), to reduce excess facial fullness in the lower / lateral cheeks. In general, they are used to create a more attractive, thinner oval or heart-shaped face.
Related uses include Botox, Dysport or Xeomin for teeth grinding (i.e. Bruxism) and temporal mandibular syndrome (TMJ Syndrome). Relaxing the masseter muscle with Botox or Dysport may reduce night-time / sleep teeth grinding and / or discomfort associated with TMJ Syndrome.
Botox, Dysport and Xeomin are effective, easy, safe, relatively painless, nonsurgical treatments administered by our dermatologists, Robert Strimling, MD and Lionel Handler, MD of Strimling Dermatology, Laser & Vein Institute of Summerlin, Las Vegas.
Effects usually start within one to two days, but may take up to a week or two for full results. Cosmetic improvement is temporary, lasting between 3-6 months. Botox, Dysport and Xeomin may also prevent wrinkles if performed regularly.
Botox, Dysport and Xeomin are FDA-approved for frown line improvement and Botox is also approved for forehead and lateral eyelid lines (or crow’s feet). 11.8 million+ Botox procedures have been administered in the US since 2002. Per the maker of Botox, 92% of 303 surveyed patients were satisfied with their Botox experience.
Dysport has been used in fifteen European countries since 1990 and Xeomin in 20 countries since 2010.
Botox is also FDA approved for the treatment of severe underarm sweating, and for severe, frequent migraine headaches. Likewise, while these treatments are safe and usually effective, improvement is temporary, lasting 6-12 months in our experience.
What are the differences between Botox, Dysport and Xeomin?
All three treatments are slightly different versions of botulinum toxin type A; Botox (ONAbotulinum toxin A), Dysport (ABObotulinum toxin A) and Xeomin (INCObotulinum toxin A. All are medications called biologics. Biologics are complex organic molecules derived from living organisms that are inherently unique, complicated to replicate, and sensitive to the manufacturing process, accounting for subtle differences (Conventional drugs are generally formulated from chemical compounds). Both Botox and Dysport are stabilized with a protein envelope, while Xeomin is not. Therefore, Xeomin is a much smaller molecule, and possibly less likely to stimulate an antibody immune reaction. Antibody development may reduce duration and / or quality of response. In contrast, the smaller, naked Xeomin compound may be more quickly or easily degraded and not last as long. Individual responses vary. Also, each unit of Botox is equivalent to 2.5 to 3 units of Dysport; however, this is accounted for when using either product to achieve the desired effects. Botox and Xeomin units, on the other hand, are equivalent. That being said, the similarities between the products far exceed these subtle differences and all 3 products are relatively equivalent when injected by an experienced and knowledgeable injector. Any notable difference in effect or duration is usually related to individual variation in response to one product vs. another. Other botulinum variants for cosmetic dermatologic use are being discovered, studied and approved on an ongoing basis.
Botox, Dysport or Xeomin are often used in conjunction with Wrinkle Fillers, but can also be used concurrently with most other cosmetic procedures.
Uses for Botox, Dysport or Xeomin
Botox (and its variants) may be used for a variety of medical and cosmetic conditions, including hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), migraine headaches, and a variety of spastic and/or hypertonic muscular conditions, such as blepharospasm (a condition characterized by involuntary eyelid twitching). We also may use Botox (or Dysport or Xeomin) for masseter muscle reduction, also known as “face slimming” as well as for Bruxism and TMJ Syndrome. However, Botox (or its variants) treatments by Dr. Strimling are most commonly performed to eliminate or reduce face and neck dynamic wrinkles and lines, such as:
- Frown lines (the vertical lines between your eyebrows)
- Forehead wrinkles
- Crow’s feet (the lateral eyelid lines)
- Under eye wrinkles
- Nasal “Bunny Lines”
- Lip wrinkles
- Smile or laugh lines
- Dimpled chin skin
- Neck bands / lines
How does Botox (& Dysport and Xeomin) work?
Botox is a neurotoxin that temporarily blocks messages between nerves and the muscles (or sweat glands) they control, thereby weakening (or relaxing) targeted face and or neck muscles, which cause overlying dynamic wrinkles or bands to be reduced in appearance (or reducing sweat secretion). Botox injections involve several injections of very small amounts of Botox via a very small needle into targeted muscles or other areas.
What should I expect after Botox, Dysport or Xeomin treatment?
Expect some very short-lived mild redness and or swelling at the injection sites that usually disappears within a few minutes to hours.
Other possible Botox, Dysport or Xeomin side effects, complications, contraindications and warnings include (but are not limited to) bruising, lack of satisfactory results, and, rarely, temporary unwanted effects of weakened nearby muscles or systemic symptoms.
Cosmetic doses for approved uses of Botox have not been associated with any confirmed serious spread of Botox effect.
You should not use Botox, Dysport or Xeomin (or other variants) if you are pregnant, nursing, allergic to Botox (or its variants) or human albumin, have an infection at the injection sites, or have neuromuscular junction disease.
Aftercare for Botox, Dysport or Xeomin
- Avoid rubbing the treated areas, as well as aerobic exercise, for 4 hours after treatment.
- Apply cold compresses 5-15 minutes per hour for comfort / bruising if needed.
- Topical and or oral homeopathic OTC Arnica may help reduce any bruising if needed.
- If possible, avoid makeup or remove it before your Botox appointment.
Also, wait to have any eyelid surgery until your Botox effect has worn off. Please contact us with any additional concerns or questions.
Contact us at info@strimderm.com or call us at (702) 243-6400 to schedule a consultation with one of our award winning cosmetic providers.