What’s the difference between Botox ® and Xeomin ®?

Both neurotoxins pretty much do the same thing, but Xeomin® is highly purified and lacks the accessory proteins in Botox ®. This means you are less likely to develop resistant antibodies toward it. Botox Cosmetic ® is the number one selling of its kind and it was the first FDA-approved neurotoxin.

What to expect?

A complete treatment takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

We will discuss the benefits and possible side effects. Skin will be cleansed and then a topical numbing cream may be applied depending on the procedure. During your treatment, you will be made comfortable and a syringe containing the product will be injected into the skin or underlying muscle. Injections are tolerable and feel like a minor pinch. No anesthesia is required. Occasionally there may be mild, temporary redness and or swelling at the injection site, which typically resolves within an hour.

Mild bruising may occur at the injection site.

When the treatment is over, you're ready to go. There's no downtime. There are precautions to get the product from migrating from the injection site, I asked that you do not massage the injected areas, don't lie flat for at least four hours post-treatment, and don't exercise for the rest of the day.

In general, you should begin to see visible smoothing 2 to four days after injection. The full effects can occur as early as one or two weeks, or up to 30 days after treatment. These are temporary treatments, and the typical duration of the effect is 3 to four months.

To reduce the risk of bruising, it is advised you:

- avoid alcohol for 24 hours prior to your appointment

- Avoid blood thinning medications and supplements like ibuprofen, leave and fish oil

- you can take arnica up to two days before the treatment

- if you're prone to cold sores please treat preventatively prior to treatment

After the procedure:

- avoid exercise 24 hours post-treatment to allow time for the injectable product to integrate into your tissue.

- Avoid alcohol 24 hours post-treatment to reduce the risk of additional bruising

- may use ice as needed to reduce swelling.

What are the benefits of treatment?

- Eliminate wrinkles and frown lines
- quick and painless treatment
- more youthful appearance
- no downtime

How does a neurotoxin work?

All neurotoxins work by blocking the nerve signals needed for facial muscles to contract. It's that repetitious contraction of facial muscles that causes expression lines and wrinkles. Once injected, the neuromodulator relaxes the muscles and decreases their movement to reduce the appearance of lines or wrinkles in the area. Results are gradual over 3-7 days following injection.

Who is not a good candidate?

- Pregnant women
- nursing mothers
- individuals suffering from myasthenia gravis or neuromuscular diseases.

Do I have to be a certain age to start having injectable treatments?

Age does not determine usage. Everyone's face forms lines differently, influenced by cellular changes over time, reduction of collagen, genetic factors, or damage by free radicals of the sun and the environment.

How many units will I need?

Unfortunately, there is not the universal answer to this question. The amount of product needed varies greatly from person to person, depending on many factors:

- How large the muscle in question is
- How strong the muscle is the placement or position of the muscle
- Which part of the face is getting treatment
- Whether you're a man or a woman since the muscles present differently
- What your injection goals are

If I try injections once, is it necessary to get them again?

If you try neurotoxins once, you don't have to continue treatments. Most people love them so much that they do continue treatments. Results typically last three to six months.

When should I call my provider?

You are welcome to contact your provider at any time during your Latisse® journey and you should seek your provider’s advice if you:

Experience a new eye condition (trauma or infection or injury) Experience a sudden change/decrease in vision

Have eye surgery

Develop any eye reactions, especially eye redness and eyelid reactions Develop any new symptom while on Latisse®

Receive a diagnosis of high pressure in your eye or start treatment to lower the pressure in your eye. Patients on eye pressure-lowering medications should not use Latisse® without prior consultation with their eye physician.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention.

How Can I Minimize Bruising After Injection?

Arnica Montana and a chemical in pineapples called bromelain help some patients reduce the chances of bruising and shorten the duration of a bruise. If you are one of those unlucky patients who receives a bruise no matter what you do, please try this holistic approach.