Botox

What is Botox or Xeomin ?                                                                                                                      

Botox and Xeomin are neuromodulators injected into muscles and used to temporarily improve the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults.
Botox and Xeomin contain botulinum toxin type A, a protein purified from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.

How do neuromodulators work?                                                                                                                     
When you squint or frown, the muscles between your eyebrows contract, causing the skin to furrow and fold.
Over time, these repeated contractions can cause persistent frown lines. Botulinum toxin type A acts on nerve
endings in muscles to prevent muscle fibers from contracting. By reducing these contractions, Botox and Xeomin can
temporarily reduce the lines between your eyebrows.

Are Neuromodulators proven?      
Short answer- yes! The FDA approved Botox and Xeomin for use in glabellar lines in 2011.
Xeomin® was proven effective in two randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled clinical trials
of 547 healthy, adult patients. The average age of patients in the study was 46 years. Patients received 20 Units
of Xeomin® and were classified as responders if they had a 2-grade improvement on a 4-point scale as assessed
by the physician and patient. Using these criteria, treatment success was higher with Botox and Xeomin than placebo on
Day 30 in both studies (60% and 48% vs. 0% for placebo in both studies). 

How do I know if Botox or Xeomin is right for me?                                                                                           
 If you are an adult with moderate to severe glabellar lines, neuromodulators may be right for you. Talk to your doctor
to discuss the benefits and risks of treatment. 

Do not use Botox or Xeomin ®  if:
– you are allergic to botulinum toxin or any of the other ingredients in Botox or Xeomin ®     
– you have had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product  
– you have a skin infection at the planned injection site.

What should I tell my doctor before treatment?                                                                            
Before receiving treatment with Botox or Xeomin®, you should tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions,
including whether you:

– have a disease that affects your muscles and nerves
– have allergies to any botulinum toxin product, or 
– have experienced any side effect from any other botulinum toxin in the past. 

 
Tell your doctor about your medical history and all the medicines you take, including prescription and
nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you have received
any other botulinum toxin product in the last four months or in the past. Be sure your doctor knows exactly
which product(s) you received and when you received them.

What can I expect during treatment?                                                                                                                  
During treatment, which usually takes about 10-20 minutes, your doctor will inject Botox or Xeomin® into the muscles
in your forehead that cause frown lines between your eyebrows. No anesthesia is required; however, your
physician may use a topical anesthetic or cold pack to reduce any discomfort.

When can I expect to see results?                                                                                                                       
You may begin to see visible smoothing as early as 3-4 days after injection. The median first onset of effect
was less than a week. The maximum effect occurred at 30 days. The typical duration of effect was up to 3
months in clinical trials but may last significantly longer or shorter in individual patients.

What are the most common side effects of Neuromodulators?
Botox and Xeomin® may cause serious side effects, including allergic reactions. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to
Botox and Xeomin® may include: itching, rash, redness, swelling, wheezing, asthma symptoms, or dizziness or feeling
faint. Tell your doctor or seek medical help right away if you have wheezing, experience other asthma
symptoms, or if you become dizzy or faint. In clinical trials of Botox and Xeomin® for the treatment of frown lines
between the eyebrows, headache was the most common side effect. Neuromodulators may cause loss of strength or
general muscle weakness, blurred vision, or drooping eyelids within hours to weeks of taking Botox or Xeomin®. If this
happens, do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities. Tell your doctor if you have
any side effect that bothers you or that does not subside. These are not all of the possible side effects of
Botox or Xeomin®. 

Are you concerned about looking plastic or overdone?                                                                                    
This is a common concern people have when considering an in-office treatment for frown lines. The best
course of action is to talk it out with your licensed, trained, healthcare professional. 
 
Have a detailed discussion with your provider. You want to talk through every concern you have, until you feel
comfortable. Your provider can determine the right options for you. For example, the most widely used
procedure for moderate to severe frown lines is neurotoxin injections, a class of prescription medication that
has been shown to be effective in many studies. Ask for an FDA-approved product, such as Botox or Xeomin ® .
Individual results may vary.