What is Botox® Made Of?
Botox®, like its relatives, is made of a compound called botulinum toxin. This compound was discovered in bacteria and studied because it can temporarily stop muscle contractions without harming the nerves or muscles. It has since been used for a wide range of medical and cosmetic purposes.
When injected, botulinum toxin works by binding to the targeted nerves. While it does not harm the nerve, it prevents it from releasing a signal called acetylcholine. When muscles stop receiving this signal, they relax and stop contracting. As a result, your lines and wrinkles disappear, and your features look refreshed.
While Botox® and Xeomin® both use botulinum toxin, they have different properties because of their other components. Botox® uses an accessory protein that helps it reach its destination and bind to the nerve. Xeomin®, often known as the “naked” neurotoxin, does not use any accessory proteins. As a result, it behaves differently than Botox® in several ways. Dr. Schwartz will choose the best option to help you achieve your goals.
What Do Botox® and Xeomin® Treat?
Botulinum toxin in the form of Botox® or Xeomin® can be used for a wide range of purposes. This compound was originally used to treat conditions such as eye muscle spasms but has expanded to treat conditions like excessive sweating, migraines, and many other medical purposes. When used cosmetically, these treatments are used for:
- Horizontal forehead lines and creases
- Vertical lines between the brows (glabellar lines or the 11s)
- Crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes
- Other areas of the face and neck, as needed
Only an assessment by an expert injector like Dr. Schwartz can determine which type of neurotoxin will help you achieve your best results. His extensive experience allows him to visualize the results each neurotoxin will produce and tailor them to your goals.
Injectable neurotoxins like Botox® can be used alone or combined with other treatments, such as dermal fillers, to reverse many signs of aging. While neurotoxins are used to treat lines and wrinkles caused by facial expressions, dermal fillers treat those caused by loss of facial volume or sagging skin.
What are the Advantages of Xeomin® over Botox®?
While both have benefits, Dr. Schwartz prefers Xeomin® over Botox® for many uses. One of the downsides of Botox® is the accessory protein that accompanies the botulinum toxin. Over time, your body can start to recognize and become resistant to this protein.
Since there is no protein in Xeomin®, it is less likely to stop working over time. Xeomin® can also restore the effectiveness of treatment for people who have been getting Botox® for years and are seeing fewer results or noticing that they fade faster. Discuss any concerns with Dr. Schwartz so he can recommend the most effective option for your needs.
