Dysport or Xeomin - detailed comparison of drugs

Xeomin is a drug with botulinum toxin type A, designed to relax tense muscles and smooth out wrinkles on the forehead, eyes, mouth, nasolabial folds and tighten the oval of the face. Unlike analogs of Botox and Dysport, it causes fewer negative reactions, keeps the face natural, but is removed from the tissues faster.

Xeomin can be injected once every 4-6 months, that’s how long it works. Noticeable changes will appear after 3-5 days, they will reach a maximum in a week or two.

Main characteristics of Xeomin

You can understand what Xeomin is from the table:

What is this, manufacturer

Xeomin is a drug containing sterile botulinum toxin and is therefore used in cosmetology and neurology. In the first case, it allows you to get rid of wrinkles by relieving spasms of facial muscles. In the second, it is used for diseases that are also accompanied by this symptom and therefore cause negative changes in appearance and muscle function. We are talking about blepharospasm, the consequences of a stroke, torticollis, etc.

The manufacturer of the drug Xeomin is a German pharmaceutical company present in the CIS and Ukraine since 2008. The creation of drugs used in the neurology of cosmetology is the main direction of its activities.

Indications for use in cosmetology

The use of the drug in cosmetology gives results if:

• "crow's feet" around the eyes,
• deep nasolabial folds,
• wrinkles around the lips,
• the swollen oval of the face,
• age-related furrows on the forehead,
• sagging neck skin.

The result of use is the disappearance of signs of aging, since the skin ceases to experience tension transmitted from the muscles during the action of the product.

Xeomin is also effective for problems such as excessive sweating. It partially blocks the sweat glands, as a result of which their activity is significantly reduced.

Why is it used in neurology?

When used in neurology, the drug relieves the following symptoms:

• Blepharospasm. The eyelids stop closing involuntarily.
• Spasmodic torticollis. By relieving tension from the muscles, the head takes a more correct position.
• Spasms that are consequences of a stroke or occur against the background of cerebral palsy. The patient gains better control of his limbs.
• Hemific spasm. Facial spasms stop or their intensity decreases significantly.
• Paralytic strabismus. The position of the eye is leveled.

Contraindications

Contraindications to the use of the drug:

• myasthenia gravis, that is, muscle weakness,
• allergy to Botox and its derivatives or to other components (sucrose and human serum albumin),
• inflammation of the skin at the injection site,
• pregnancy and lactation,
• infectious diseases,
• high myopia,
• oncological pathologies,
• taking antibiotics or anticoagulants.

If the drug is used in cosmetology, the patient must be an adult.

How does the injection work?

The drug injection works as follows:

1. the substance reaches the nerve ending,
2. blocks the protein responsible for the production of acetylcholine,
3. thanks to this, the spasming muscle relaxes,
4. the skin ceases to experience pressure and tension emanating from it,
5. wrinkles are smoothed out.

The maximum effect is detected after 7-12 days and lasts up to 3-6 months. Then the toxin is removed from the tissues, and the muscle returns to its normal mobility or previous condition. If injections are given regularly, Xeomin will last longer than after the first time.

Watch this video about how Xeomin works:

Price

The price of the drug depends on the concentration of the active substance in the bottle:

• 50 units – from 6000 rub.,
• 100 units – from 10,000 rub.

Anything that costs less may turn out to be a fake or an expired product that will have no effect.

What are the features of Xeomin?

Xeomin is a more modern drug. This is an improved analogue of such products as botox and dysport. This medication consists of sucrose and albumin. This medication is sold in small bottles containing 50 units of the active substance.

The action of xeomin is based on blocking constant muscle contractions. As the muscle fibers gradually relax, the skin over the areas where they are located becomes smoother.

The main advantage of xeomin is that it has an increased level of purification from foreign proteins. Thanks to him, this drug has high biological activity. Allergies resulting from the use of such a drug are rarely understood.

Xeomin is actively used in cosmetology. Since the principle of action of this medication is a limited effect on a specific muscle, the woman’s natural facial expressions are preserved.

Xeomin has both advantages and disadvantages. Among the advantages of this tool, it is worth highlighting the following:

1. It has minimal side effects.
2. Since it is a stable compound, it can be stored for a long time in a room at room temperature..
3. To achieve the desired effect, a minimum dosage of such a drug is required..

An important advantage of this remedy is that the muscles “turn off” slowly. In other words, the face does not freeze immediately, but slowly relaxes over the course of 2 weeks.

This medication also has disadvantages. Here is their list:

1. The effect of xeomin injections lasts for less time than its analogues.
2. Xeomin is ineffective in combating sweating.

This product has no other disadvantages. The results of the injections last for 4 months. After this, a residual effect remains. After 6 months, the patient can return for a repeat procedure.

Instructions for use Xeomin

Instructions for use of the drug Xeomin draw attention to the following points:

• before the procedure you need to be healthy, stop drinking alcohol, taking antibiotics, blood thinning medications for a few days, give up physical exercise, baths,
• The doctor dilutes the drug: 100 units. 0.25-5 ml of solution, per 50 units. – 0.1-2.5 ml, the bottle is not opened, but pierced with a sterile needle,
• for the eyes you need 10-24 units, for the forehead - 10-30 units, for the eyebrows - 20-25 units, otherwise the face will become unnatural,
• the drug is used for patients over 18 years of age, but more often their age is 25-50,
• the effect should not be expected earlier than 3-5 days after the procedure, but the best result will appear after 7-15 days and will remain so for 3-6 months,
• slight soreness, redness, bruises immediately after the procedure are normal, but a sharp deterioration in health, difficulty breathing, swallowing are complications, and you need to see a doctor for them.

Watch this video about the administration method and results of Xeomin injections:

Preparation for botulinum therapy

Botulinum therapy with the drug begins with the preparatory stage:

• the skin must be clean, without damage, so for a week before the procedure you should not use scrubs, peeling, grinding, or other aggressive manipulations,
• you should give up alcohol 3-5 days before it,
• Anticoagulants and antibiotics must be completed within 1-2 weeks,
• a couple of days before the injections you need to avoid sports, massage,
• on the day of the procedure you should not smoke, be nervous, it is better not to use decorative cosmetics,
• Limit liquid intake 3-4 hours before.

Before the procedure, you need to consult a therapist. And if injections are made in the area near the eyes, then an ophthalmologist will do it.

How is botulinum therapy performed with Xeomin?

Botulinum therapy with the German drug Xeomin is also performed in several stages:

1. the skin is cleaned, wiped with an antiseptic,
2. An anesthetic cream is applied for 20-30 minutes, but if the pain threshold is low, patients can do without it,
3. markings are applied to the face so as not to make a mistake with the injection sites,
4. dilute the drug with a special solution, draw it into a syringe,
5. make injections at the designated points,
6. Once again treat the affected area with an antiseptic.

The process takes up to 40-60 minutes. After this, you need to stay in the doctor’s office for another hour and a half to monitor the body’s reaction to the drug. The procedure itself does not cause severe pain and is quite easily tolerated.

How many units do you need per eye?

For the eyes, 10 to 24 units of Xeomin are needed to erase wrinkles. The doctor will determine more precisely, guided by the patient’s appearance and the depth of the wrinkles. Sometimes, to eliminate crow's feet, you also need to raise your eyebrows. In this case, the volume of the drug will be maximum.

How many units do you need for the eyebrow area?

For the area between the eyebrows you need 20-25 units of the drug. The quantity is determined by the size of the space and the degree of muscle tightness. Sometimes it is necessary to remove not only the fold between the eyebrows, but also the transverse wrinkles on the bridge of the nose.

How many units do you need per forehead?

On the forehead you need from 10 to 30 units of the product. The exact volume depends on the severity of age-related changes and the number of folds. After all, for some, literally the entire space is furrowed with wrinkles, for others, only shallow lines above the eyebrows need to be eliminated.

At what age can you inject?

Xeomin can be injected safely from the age of 18, but patients who wish to be exposed are usually between 25 and 50. This is when wrinkles appear and the procedure will most effectively eliminate them. Patients over 50 also undergo it, but, as a rule, in addition to other anti-aging manipulations.

If we are talking about a neurological disease, Xeomin is also injected into children. But only from 2 years old.

How to dilute 50, 100 units.

Dilute 50 units. product should be 0.1-2.5 ml of solution. The choice remains with the cosmetologist; it depends on the area into which the composition is going to be introduced. Xeomin 100 units. dilute 0.25-5 ml of solution. Usually, a more concentrated composition is made for the area between the eyebrows and the lower third of the face, and less for the flat muscles.

After how many days the result

The results of using the drug will appear after 3-5 days. But the maximum effect will be visible after 7-15 days. It will remain this way for several months, after which the muscles will return to their previous state.

How long does the effect last?

The effect of the procedure lasts 3-6 months. It is impossible to say in advance how long it will last, since it depends on many factors:

• speed of metabolic processes in the body,
• volume of administered drug,
• lifestyle.

The more active your facial expressions and the simpler your skin care, the faster the wrinkles will return.

How to speed up the elimination of the drug after injections for wrinkles

Anti-wrinkle injections will stop working faster if:

• Perform regular facial massage from a professional,
• subject the injection area to hardware procedures (ultrasound, myostimulation, etc.),
• do mesotherapy with drugs that contain DMAE.

The patient herself can speed up the removal of Botox if she actively plays sports and often goes to the bathhouse. Alcohol also affects the duration of the result, but this is the worst method of getting rid of the drug.

Precautionary measures

Side effects

• Allergic reaction.
• Drooping eyebrows due to improper administration of botulinum toxin in the forehead area.
• Raising the outer edge of one or two eyebrows as a result of uneven distribution of botulinum toxin when injected into the brow ridges.
• Ptosis, drooping of the upper eyelid when the medication is injected into the area around the eye.
• Asymmetry of the smile, impaired articulation and chewing with injections in the lower third of the face.
• Feeling of tingling, numbness, burning or pain at the injection site, paresthesia.
• Mild headache, dizziness, nausea.
• Long-lasting hyperemia and swelling in the injection area.
• Microhematomas and ecchymoses.
• Mild to moderate muscle pain.
• Temperature increase.

Buyanov Sergey Yurievich (Expert Doctor):

A headache can go from a mild form to a migraine-like one. A similar side effect is observed with injections into the frontal area, especially with deep penetration of the needle. That is why it is not recommended to ignore this effect and report it to your doctor.

Contraindications

• Intolerance to botulinum toxin or any component included in the injection solution.
• Pregnancy and lactation.
• Treatment with antibacterial drugs from the aminoglycoside group (Amikacin, Kanamycin, Neomycin, Gentamicin, Streptomycin).
• Disturbance of neuromuscular transmission.
• Age up to 18 years.
• It is not recommended to conduct botulinum therapy sessions in the first days of the menstrual cycle.
• Fever of any origin, as well as acute infectious diseases.
• Exacerbation of herpetic infection.
• Exacerbation of any chronic somatic disease.
• Blood clotting disorder.

Side effects, consequences

The side effects that the drug causes are:

• pain in the puncture area,
• skin redness,
• small hematomas,
• swelling.

If you have breathing problems, hives, rashes, weakness, difficulty swallowing, this is a complication and you need to call an ambulance.

Xeomin can provoke negative consequences in the form of:

• hypercorrection, that is, unnatural facial expression,
• tissue drooping,
• asymmetry,
• paralysis of muscles not in the injection area.

This happens when the dosage of the drug is incorrect or the procedure itself is performed incorrectly.

Indications for the use of injections

No one does mesotherapy with the drugs in question without a specialist’s prescription; even in beauty salons and private clinics doctors advise. Indications for injections are:

• shallow wrinkles in the outer corners of the eyes (“crow’s feet”),
• deep nasolabial folds,
• signs of skin aging in the upper part of the face (forehead, bridge of the nose),
• age-related changes in the eyebrow area,
• wrinkles on the neck and décolleté.

Botox can be used to solve other problems:

• excessive sweating,
• pathologies of the upper eyelid, in particular ptosis,
• age-related changes on the chin and around it,
• pathological disturbance of the facial contour, for example, with uneven sagging of the skin.

Dysport often helps cope with the consequences of a stroke. For example, injections of this drug make the tone of the facial muscle tissue less pronounced and relax them.

What not to do after the procedure

After completing the procedure, you cannot do the following:

• tilt your head, bend over for 7-14 days,
• try alcohol for 1-2 weeks,
• take antibiotics for the same period,
• perform massage and other manipulations affecting the skin and muscles,
• overheat, sunbathe, go to the bathhouse, play sports.

And if, despite precautions, swelling increases, redness does not subside, or itching appears, you need to consult a doctor, as this is an allergy.

Xeomin and alcohol

Xeomin and any alcohol do not combine well, since alcohol dilates blood vessels, which prevents the drug from being distributed correctly. Therefore, you should not drink before the procedure and for some time after it. And in the future it is better to minimize the amount of alcohol in order to preserve the results longer. After all, it increases blood supply to the muscles, that is, it accelerates metabolic processes in them. And the drug is eliminated faster.

Xeomin and antibiotics

Xeomin and some antibiotics should also not be combined, since the latter enhance the effect of the toxin. At best, this threatens overcorrection. At worst, your overall health will suffer. Therefore, you should not take erythromycin, tetracycline, aminoglycosides, lincomycin and other types of antibacterial drugs before and shortly after the procedure.

If you have an allergy

An allergy to the drug is rare, but if it occurs, it requires taking an antihistamine (Tavegil, Suprastin, Claritin) and consulting a doctor. The problem may appear even a few days after the procedure in the form of:

• increasing swelling,
• itching,
• skin redness,
• difficulty moving the eyes, eyebrows, lips.

Anaphylactic shock develops directly during the procedure, and only emergency medical care will help here.

How to speed up the elimination of the drug

If an unplanned result is obtained, it will only be possible to weaken the effect of the toxin. It is possible to completely remove the substance and neutralize its effect only naturally. Cosmetologists offer the following as help:

• professional massage;
• hardware physiotherapeutic effects;
• drug treatment.

Massaging the injection sites helps relieve muscle blockages. The effect of botulinum toxin is gradually weakened, and the result is eliminated faster. Various physiotherapeutic procedures have a similar effect.

Important! Medicines can weaken or enhance the effect of Xeomin. Medicinal elimination of the results of injections is carried out exclusively under the supervision of a doctor.

At home, to weaken the effect of botulinum toxin, heat is used: hot baths, steam baths, saunas. It is advisable to supplement steaming procedures with light self-massage. Drinking alcohol as a “folk recipe” to eliminate the effects of Xeomin is not recommended. Alcohol can have a negative impact on the general condition of the body.

Recommendations after the Xeomin administration procedure

After the procedure using Xeomin, you need to follow the following recommendations for the first 2 weeks:

• don't bend over, don't lower your head,
• do not touch your face unnecessarily, do not rub your skin,
• don't sleep face down,
• refuse cosmetic procedures, even at home, except for washing,
• Don't wear makeup for a few days
• forget about alcohol and self-administration of medications,
• avoid heat, physical activity, that is, anything that provokes a rush of blood to the skin.

Drinking alcohol before the procedure

Botulinum therapy is not carried out if the patient drank alcohol three days before the procedure. This time is necessary for the body to neutralize the effect of ethanol on the circulatory and nervous systems.

Complete elimination of the toxic substance occurs gradually, over 3-4 weeks.

If you consume any alcohol-containing drinks for a long time, you will have to give up skin rejuvenation for an indefinite period.

Alcohol affects overall well-being, expression of emotions and behavior. In a state of intoxication, the patient can aggravate the situation by ignoring the rules of rehabilitation.

Compatibility of Xeomin correction with other procedures

Correction with Xeomin combines well with several anti-aging procedures:

• using fillers,
• mesotherapy,
• biorevitalization,
• chemical peeling,
• laser grinding,
• bioreinforcement.

One of them can be performed no later than a month before the administration of botulinum toxin.

FAQ

Xeomin or Botox, which is better?

Xeomin or its analogue Botox should be preferred in a particular case, the doctor decides, because:

• The first one causes fewer negative reactions and is stored longer. But it provides a softer correction than the second one. Therefore, it keeps the face natural and does not smooth out all the wrinkles. Xeomin is also ineffective in the treatment of hyperhidrosis. But it is not addictive.
• Botox has more side effects and allergies are more common. But it eliminates deep wrinkles better, and the effect of use lasts longer. You can forget about increased sweating with Botox for several months.

What is better - the introduction of Xeomin or Dysport?

The patient needs the introduction of Dysport or Xeomin - the cosmetologist also decides, keeping in mind age and problems, preferences, area of ​​​​use of the product. The first drug provides more pronounced rejuvenation, but can penetrate beyond the corrected zone. It is cheaper, but to be effective you need to inject a larger volume than Xeomin. The duration of action of each product is approximately the same.

Is it possible to get facial injections during pregnancy?

Xeomin injections are not given to pregnant women because:

• the main active ingredient, although used in microscopic doses, is still toxic,
• its negative impact on the body of the expectant mother or fetus has not been confirmed, but it has not been refuted either.

Therefore, the facial procedure, as well as Dysport, Botox, will have to be postponed until breastfeeding is completed. After all, the effect of drugs has not been tested during lactation, which means it can be dangerous.

Are injections allowed for children?

Botuloxin injections, if indicated, are given to a child if he is 2 years old. But first, the doctor will evaluate the pros and cons, since the drug is not the “gold standard” in the treatment of diseases.

We recommend reading about how Dysport works after injection. From the article you will learn about the composition of the drug, indications and contraindications for injections of the drug, methods of carrying out the procedure, and results.

And here is more information about which drug is better, Xeomin, Botox or Dysport.

Xeomin is a new generation product that has already proven itself well. There are favorable reviews about it from both cosmetologists and patients. Therefore, if the doctor thinks that it is better to use this particular drug, it makes sense to listen to the advice.

Opinion of cosmetologists

Each patient's body is unique. The same drug works differently on different people: for some, the effect appears within 1-2 days, while others expect it within a week. The duration of the result also differs for each patient. Therefore, when choosing “Xeomin” or “Dysport”, the specialist should rely on the results of previous injections or change the drug if it turned out to be ineffective even at the first use.