Xeomin – What to Know Before Your First Appointment
At AboutFace, we help you age with confidence and style. Located in Alexandria, Virginia, we offer Xeomin, a clinically proven botulinum toxin treatment to smooth moderate to severe wrinkles while preserving natural facial expression. Whether you want to reduce forehead lines, frown lines or crow’s feet, Xeomin is a safe, effective and FDA-approved solution.
What is Xeomin?
Xeomin is a botulinum toxin type A injectable that temporarily relaxes facial muscles that cause wrinkles. It’s made by Merz Pharmaceuticals and is FDA-approved to treat moderate to severe glabellar lines (the vertical frown lines between the eyebrows) as well as several medical conditions related to muscle hyperactivity such as cervical dystonia, upper limb spasticity and blepharospasm.
What sets Xeomin apart from other botulinum toxin products like Botox is its “naked” formulation. Xeomin has only the active neurotoxin without the accessory proteins, reducing the chance of developing neutralizing antibodies that could make the treatment less effective over time.
Key Benefits:
- Smooths frown lines, crow’s feet and forehead lines
- Reduces severe wrinkles
- Prevents future lines by limiting muscle contractions
- More purified, targeted treatment
- No downtime or recovery required
Xeomin is perfect for patients who want a more natural, refreshed look with fewer additives in their injectable treatments.
The Procedure – What to Expect
At our Alexandria clinic, every Xeomin treatment starts with a consultation with one of our experienced providers, including Dr. Pickens, who is known for his precision and artistic approach to facial aesthetics.
Step-by-Step Process:
- Consultation & Planning: Your provider will assess your facial anatomy, understand your concerns and determine the best injection sites.
- Preparation: The skin will be cleansed and a topical numbing agent may be applied for added comfort.3. Injection: Xeomin is injected into specific facial muscles using a fine needle. Number of injections depends on the areas being treated.
- Post-Injection: Ice may be applied to reduce swelling and you can return to most daily activities immediately.
Procedure Time:
- 10 to 20 minutes per session
- No downtime required
- Minimal discomfort (described as a light pinch)
Do not rub the injection site and no strenuous activity for 24 hours.
Results, Duration & Aftercare
When Will I See Results?
Results typically start to appear within 3–5 days, full effects visible by day 7 to 10. As the muscle activity is reduced, lines and wrinkles soften.
How Long Does It Last?
Results from Xeomin injections last 3 to 4 months, depending on individual metabolism, lifestyle and treatment area. Some patients find results last several months with consistent use.
Aftercare Tips:
- Do not touch the planned injection site
- No strenuous exercise for 24 hours
- Stay upright for 4 hours post-treatment
- Do not consume alcohol or sleep medicine immediately after
Your provider may recommend maintenance treatments every 3–4 months for optimal results.
Is Xeomin Safe?
Xeomin is an FDA-approved, well-researched treatment with a good safety profile. When administered by trained professionals like those at AboutFace, the risk of complications is low.
Common Side Effects:
- Temporary redness or swelling at the injection site
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Drooping eyelids (rare)
Rare but Serious Side Effects:
- Trouble breathing or breathing problems
- Muscle weakness beyond the target area
- Allergic reactions
- Symptoms similar to Lou Gehrig’s disease (extremely rare)
If you experience any serious side effects, seek medical help immediately.
Contraindications:
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- History of allergic reactions to botulinum toxin
- Skin infection at the treatment site
- Individuals with neuromuscular disorders
Choosing a qualified provider like Dr. Pickens and the team at AboutFace in Alexandria reduces the risk.
Xeomin Cost
Pricing varies based on the number of areas treated and number of units.
What Affects the Price:
- Provider’s expertise
- Size and number of areas treated
- Total dose administered
- Complexity of treatment
Payment Options:
- CareCredit financing
- Custom packages for regular treatments
- Special promotions for new patients
Call (703) 683-2773 or info@aboutfacecenters.com for pricing.
Why AboutFace for Xeomin?
AboutFace has a reputation in Alexandria for artistry, integrity and clinical excellence. Our team has extensive experience with botulinum toxin products to ensure each treatment is effective and beautifully balanced.
What We Offer:
- Expert injector team led by Dr. Pickens
- Conservative approach for natural-looking results
- Customized treatment plans
- Clean, modern facility located at 5250 Cherokee Ave #300, Alexandria, VA 22312
- Real results from actual patients
We take the time to understand your goals and make you feel comfortable every step of the way.
Science & Studies
Xeomin is not a trend – it’s a scientifically developed and clinically tested treatment backed by years of research and FDA approval. Developed by Merz Pharmaceuticals, Xeomin contains incobotulinumtoxinA, a highly purified form of botulinum toxin type A. It’s been studied for both aesthetic and therapeutic use and is a reliable non-surgical solution for dynamic facial wrinkles.
Clinical Research on Effectiveness
In multiple clinical trials, Xeomin has shown significant improvement in moderate to severe glabellar lines and other upper facial lines such as forehead lines and crow’s feet. A phase III double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal found patients treated with Xeomin had a statistically significant reduction in frown lines compared to placebo, with results visible as early as day 4 and peak at day 30.
Another study in Dermatologic Surgery showed Xeomin softens lines effectively with high patient satisfaction and noticeable improvement for 3-4 months after a single treatment. These results demonstrate the temporary benefits of Xeomin and that individual results may vary based on dose, muscle activity and prior exposure to other botulinum toxin products.
Purity and Immune Response
What sets Xeomin apart scientifically is its lack of accessory proteins – often called a “naked” neurotoxin. This clean formulation may reduce the risk of developing neutralizing antibodies which can reduce the effectiveness of botulinum toxin over time. Unlike some other botulinum toxin products that include complexing proteins, Xeomin is filtered to contain only the active neurotoxin, reducing immunogenicity.
A 2010 study in Drugs in R&D looked at this difference in formulation and concluded Xeomin has a reduced risk of antibody formation which can be critical for patients who receive botulinum toxin injections repeatedly over several months or years. This makes Xeomin a reliable choice for new and experienced users looking for long term results.
FDA Approval and Medical Applications
Xeomin is FDA approved for both cosmetic and medical indications including cervical dystonia, upper limb spasticity and blepharospasm. Its effectiveness in treating muscle hyperactivity has been proven in neurology and rehabilitation settings as well. These medical uses make Xeomin a well researched and versatile botulinum toxin product.
Since the drug has been tested in various patient populations including those with complex neuromuscular conditions, it’s considered safe when administered by a qualified healthcare provider. At AboutFace in Alexandria, our team ensures every injection is carefully dosed and mapped to the planned injection site to minimize risk and maximize results.
Safety Profiles in Published Data
While most patients experience only minor side effects such as swelling, redness or temporary pain at the injection site, larger studies and prescribing information have listed rare but serious complications. These may include allergic reactions, muscle weakness, drooping eyelids, dry eye or difficulty swallowing or breathing. Although rare, these potential risks highlight the importance of choosing a trained medical provider who understands the complex interplay between facial muscles and botulinum toxin.
In long term safety studies, repeated use of Xeomin did not lead to cumulative toxicity or worsening of side effects in most patients. This makes it an attractive option for those who want to reduce wrinkles over time without surgery or more invasive procedures.
Conclusion
The science behind Xeomin supports its role as a modern, effective treatment for wrinkles and certain medical conditions. Whether you’re new to injectables or switching from other products like Botox, Xeomin has a highly purified formulation with a proven track record.
At AboutFace in Alexandria, we stay current with ongoing research and clinical recommendations to deliver the safest and most effective treatments available. Our use of Xeomin is grounded in science, guided by experience and tailored to your individual needs.
Most patients report only minor discomfort, like a quick pinch. A numbing agent may be used for added comfort.
Yes! There’s no downtime required. You can return to work or daily activities immediately, though we recommend avoiding exercise for 24 hours.
Typically, results last around 3–4 months. Maintenance treatments are recommended 3–4 times per year.
Both are botulinum toxin type A products, but Xeomin has no added proteins. This may reduce the risk of neutralizing antibodies and make it a good option for patients who have stopped responding to other botulinum toxin products.
Book Your Consultation
Ready to smooth out your wrinkles and refresh your look? Book your Xeomin consultation with AboutFace in Alexandria today.
Here’s How:
📞 Call: (703) 683-2773
📧 Email: info@aboutfacecenters.com
📍 Visit: 5250 Cherokee Ave #300, Alexandria, VA 22312
We’ll create a custom treatment plan, discuss your options and answer your questions during your consultation.