Xeomin®
Soften Expression Lines Without Losing What Makes You Expressive
Frowning, concentrating, squinting, and raising your eyebrows are part of everyday life. Over time, repeated muscle movement can create lines that remain visible even when your face is relaxed.
Xeomin® is a prescription injectable treatment that temporarily relaxes selected facial muscles to soften expression lines and create a smoother, more refreshed appearance. Treatment is personalized to your facial anatomy, natural movement, and desired level of correction—not based on a one-size-fits-all injection pattern.
What Is Xeomin®?
Xeomin®, also known as incobotulinumtoxinA, is an FDA-approved neuromodulator. It works by temporarily reducing the nerve signals that tell selected muscles to contract.
As the targeted muscles relax, the skin above them is no longer repeatedly folded with the same intensity. This helps soften existing expression lines and may prevent them from becoming more deeply etched over time.
What Makes Xeomin® Different?
Xeomin® contains botulinum toxin type A. During manufacturing, the active neurotoxin is separated from accessory proteins, leaving the active 150-kDa neurotoxin without those accessory proteins. The formulation also contains human albumin and sucrose.
This is sometimes described as a more purified or streamlined formulation. However, it does not mean Xeomin®is automatically the best product for every patient. The most appropriate neuromodulator depends on your previous treatment response, anatomy, goals, medical history, and personal preferences.
What Can Xeomin® Improve?
Xeomin® may be used to soften:
Vertical frown lines between the eyebrows
Horizontal forehead lines
Crow’s feet around the eyes
A tense, stern, worried, or fatigued appearance caused by strong facial movement
Customized off-label treatment may also be considered for selected concerns involving other facial muscles, such as:
Bunny lines across the nose
A downward-turning mouth
Chin dimpling
A gummy smile
Vertical lip lines
A subtle lip flip
Prominent neck bands
Off-label means that the medication is being used in an area or manner that is not included in its FDA-approved cosmetic labeling. Any recommended off-label use will be discussed before treatment.
Natural Movement Is Part of the Plan
The goal of Xeomin® treatment is not necessarily to eliminate every line or prevent your face from moving.
Some patients prefer a more noticeable smoothing effect. Others want a lighter treatment that reduces harsh lines while preserving more movement. Your treatment can be adjusted based on:
The strength of your facial muscles
Your eyebrow position and natural asymmetry
Your previous response to neuromodulators
The areas you want to soften
How much movement you would like to retain
Whether you want correction, prevention, or both
A natural result comes from treating the individual—not simply following a standard number of injections.
Xeomin vs. Dermal Filler
Xeomin® and dermal filler address different causes of facial aging.
Xeomin®
Xeomin® temporarily reduces muscle activity and is generally used for lines created or intensified by facial expression.
Dermal Filler
Filler adds support or volume and may be used for concerns related to facial structure, volume loss, contour, or deeper folds.
Some patients benefit from one treatment, while others benefit from a carefully planned combination. More treatment is not always better; the recommendation should match the reason the line or contour change is occurring.
What to Expect During Treatment
Before treatment, Dr. Eakin will evaluate your face both at rest and while you make different expressions. This allows her to see which muscles are contributing to your concerns and how they interact with your eyebrows, eyelids, forehead, smile, and overall facial balance.
Xeomin® is then injected into selected muscles using a fine needle. The procedure typically takes only a few minutes. Most patients describe the injections as brief pinches.
Small raised areas, pinpoint redness, tenderness, or minor bruising may occur immediately afterward. Most patients return to their usual activities without significant downtime.
When Will I See Results?
The average onset of Xeomin® effects occurs within approximately two to seven days. The result may continue to settle after the first changes become noticeable.
Because every patient responds differently, you should avoid judging the result too early. A follow-up assessment may be recommended after the treatment has had enough time to take effect.
How Long Does Xeomin® Last?
The current prescribing information states that the typical effect lasts up to approximately 12 to 16 weeks, although duration varies among patients. Retreatment should not be administered more frequently than every three months.
How long your results last may be influenced by:
The area treated
Your muscle strength
The amount administered
Your individual response
Your treatment history
The degree of movement you choose to preserve
Regular treatment may help keep expression lines softer, but ongoing injections are optional.
The Total Illusion Difference
Neuromodulator treatment should be based on more than counting forehead lines.
At Total Illusion, Dr. Eakin evaluates how your facial muscles work together before creating your treatment plan. Special attention is given to your brow position, eyelid anatomy, natural asymmetry, facial proportions, and the expressions that make you look like yourself.
Our approach emphasizes:
Physician-led facial assessment
Individualized dosing and placement
Preservation of natural expression
Conservative treatment when appropriate
Honest recommendations about what Xeomin can and cannot improve
A long-term plan that avoids unnecessary treatment
The goal is not to make you look different. It is to help you appear rested, balanced, and refreshed.
Refreshed—Not Redefined
Xeomin® can soften the lines that make you look tired, tense, or concerned while preserving the expressions that make your face uniquely yours.
Schedule a Xeomin® Consultation
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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It does not have to.
Xeomin® temporarily reduces movement in the muscles that are injected. The amount of movement preserved depends on the muscles treated, dose, placement, and your natural muscle strength.
A lighter treatment may preserve more movement, while a stronger treatment may produce greater smoothing. Your preferences will be discussed before treatment.
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Both are prescription botulinum toxin type A products used to temporarily reduce muscle activity, but they are different medications with different formulations and manufacturing processes.
Their units cannot be directly compared or converted. A unit of Xeomin® should not be assumed to equal a unit of another botulinum toxin product.
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Yes. The current prescribing information includes moderate to severe frown lines, horizontal forehead lines, and lateral canthal lines, commonly called crow’s feet, in adults.
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Most people report maintaining there results for 3-4 months after treatment. However, the duration of results depends on the muscle area being injected and your body’s metabolism. For instance, muscles around the mouth tend to need more frequent treatments because these muscles are used more frequently. In contrast, the masseter muscle (treated for those with TMJ) usually lasts around 6 months.
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Xeomin® may soften lines that remain visible at rest, especially when repeated muscle contraction contributes to them. However, deeply etched lines may not disappear completely after muscle relaxation alone.
Medical skincare, laser resurfacing, microneedling, PRX® , or another skin-renewal treatment may be recommended when the skin itself also needs to be addressed.
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Looking plastic or overdone is a common concern among individuals considering treatment with botox. This is why the initial consultation is so important. Our doctor will have a detailed discussion with you and develop a personalized treatment plan based on your aesthetic goals.
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There is generally little downtime. Temporary effects can include:
Redness
Swelling at an injection site
Tenderness
Pinpoint marks
Bruising
Headache
In clinical studies of adults treated for upper facial lines, injection-site bruising was the most commonly reported adverse reaction occurring more frequently than placebo.
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Potential effects include asymmetry, unwanted weakness in a nearby muscle, eyebrow or eyelid drooping, dry eye, changes in the smile, or a result that feels too strong or too subtle.
Careful assessment, accurate placement, and individualized dosing help reduce these risks but cannot eliminate them completely.
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All botulinum toxin products carry a boxed warning about the possible spread of toxin effects beyond the injection area. Rare symptoms may include generalized weakness, double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty speaking, swallowing, or breathing. These symptoms may occur hours to weeks after treatment and require prompt medical attention.
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Xeomin® should not be administered to someone with a known hypersensitivity to a botulinum toxin product or its formulation components, or when an infection is present at the proposed injection site.
Tell Dr. Eakin if you:
Have a neuromuscular condition
Have difficulty swallowing or breathing
Have experienced facial weakness or drooping
Have had surgery involving the face or eyes
Take muscle relaxants, aminoglycoside antibiotics, or other medications that affect nerve-to-muscle signaling
Have received another botulinum toxin product recently
Are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding
Your medical history and current medications will be reviewed before treatment.
