If you’re experiencing unwanted signs of aging, like laugh lines around the mouth or crow’s feet by your eyes, it’s important to know that these aren’t something you just have to live with. It’s also not usually necessary to go through an invasive procedure to get rid of them! At Southeastern Institute of Restorative Medicine in Dothan, AL, you can get facial rejuvenation with treatments as simple as Botox and Xeomin.
The Benefits of Botox
What It’s All About
Botox is a drug made from purified bacteria. When administered in small doses and in this form, it has some amazing effects. It was first developed to treat muscle spasms in the eye, but those receiving treatment soon noticed that the areas around their eyes were no longer suffering from wrinkles and lines like they once did. This is because Botox blocks the signals running from nerves to the muscles, forcing those muscles to relax.
Relaxing the muscles allows the skin over those muscles to soften and smooth out. In fact, Botox is so effective at this that it’s the #1 most-requested and most frequently performed cosmetic treatment in the world. It is approved by the FDA to treat frown lines, Xeomin for Crows Feet, and forehead lines. It’s also used off-label by medical professionals to treat a number of other conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take to See Results?
The treatment itself only takes about 10 minutes, and you’ll start to notice a difference in just a few hours. After that, your full results will develop over the course of the next few days. It could be anywhere from two days to seven, and your results will depend on your unique physiology and can be influenced by other factors, like age and lifestyle.
How Long Does It Last?
The effects typically last between four and six months, but again, this depends on the individual. It’s a simple thing to come in for a top-off treatment to maintain your line-free face, however. Best of all, many people find that the more often they have this treatment, the less often they need it to keep their look.
Is It Safe?
This is a perfectly safe treatment when it’s administered by qualified professionals like those at the Southeastern Institute of Restorative Medicine. We know how to inject just the right amount in just the right places to safely get you the results you’re looking for.
Will I End Up Looking Frozen?
In the early days of this treatment’s use as a wrinkle-relaxer, it wasn’t uncommon for people to have an unnatural frozen look after treatment. That was not because of the treatment itself but because of a lack of skill by a practitioner. Today, we have a lot more experience to draw on and far more training options available. You can expect your results to look entirely natural when they’re done by qualified and trained practitioners like those at Southeastern Institute of Restorative Medicine.
Am I a Candidate?
Most people interested in this treatment are good candidates. You should be in good overall health and not suffering from nerve damage or a muscle condition like MS. The younger you are when you start treatment, the more dramatic your results will be. The best results are usually seen in those under 50.
It’s also important that you have no skin disorder or infection at the site of injection, and an allergy test is an important first step just to make sure you’re not allergic to any of the ingredients.
What Kind of Wrinkles Can Be Treated With Botox?
Wrinkles come in all shapes and sizes. Some are primarily due to repeated muscle movements. These are called “dynamic wrinkles,” and this treatment is the perfect answer for taking care of them. If you have what’s known as “static wrinkles,” this will be less effective. Static wrinkles are caused by sun damage, smoking, poor nutrition, or just the effects of aging and your personal genetics. For these types of wrinkles, we recommend other types of dermal fillers.
What Is Xeomin?
At Southeastern Institute of Restorative Medicine, we also offer Xeomin. This is another neuromodulator, and in many ways, it’s very similar to Botox. Both are forms of botulinum toxin type A and both are approved by the FDA for addressing wrinkles and fine lines. To understand why we might offer both, it’s important to know both the similarities and the differences between the two.
The Similarities
Both of these treatments are FDA-approved, and both work in the same way. They relax facial muscles by blocking or weakening the signals that come from the nerves telling those muscles to contract. They are also both temporary solutions, meaning that eventually they wear off and the nerves can start signaling again.
Both of these neuromodulators are dosed in a similar way, so a unit of one is roughly equal to a unit of the other (unlike with Dysport or other neuromodulators). With so many similarities between these two, it’s a valid question to consider why you would choose one of these treatments over the other. Understanding why involves learning about their key differences.
The Differences
Xeomin is what professionals call a “naked” neurotoxin. That means it only contains one ingredient. Botox, on the other hand, also includes many protective proteins that exist around the active botulinum toxin A molecule. This creates three important differences between these two treatments:
1. Onset of Results
The results of these two injections last about the same amount of time, but the extra proteins make results delay just a bit. This means that Xeomin tends to show final results a day or two earlier than with Botox.
2. Possibility of Resistance
Some people develop a resistance to Botox. This means their bodies start developing antibodies that fight back against the toxin and the results become less dramatic. Eventually, this treatment might not work for them at all anymore. With Xeomin, this is much less likely to happen because the toxin is being administered in its pure form.
3. Refrigeration
Xeomin has no additives, so it doesn’t have to be refrigerated. While this doesn’t make any difference to your final effects, it can make it easier for a clinic to get Xeomin, which also tends to make it a bit cheaper, depending on availability and demand. It also means there’s slightly less likelihood of getting a batch that is unstable and thus ineffective.
Making the Choice
The choice between these two treatments isn’t always straightforward to make and will always depend on your unique needs and a consultation with us. Both have a good safety record. Both are administered in the same way. Both last about the same amount of time.
For some people, the difference in speed of results will make a difference. Some will want to avoid any chance of developing resistance to the neuromodulator and will prefer one over the other. For some people, alternating neuromodulators is the best way to avoid any intolerance. We can help you make the right decision for your needs.
About Southeastern Institute of Restorative Medicine
We are the Wiregrass area’s premier place for anti-aging treatments. We’re led by Gregory Thompson, DO. A specialist in neuromuscular and family medicine as well as medical aesthetics, his 30-year career as a physician and educator makes him especially qualified to provide your treatment.
Our Method
We bring a holistic and conservative approach to patient care. We want to serve the whole patient, and we always consider how emotional, mental, and spiritual health influence physical health, and vice versa. We offer a wide variety of treatments and therapies, many of them centered around using your own body’s natural healing powers to restore your health and wellness and enhance your natural beauty.
Our Treatments
We offer many treatments, including:
- Injectables and anti-aging treatments
- Hair removal
- Microneedling
- Facials
- Feminine health and rejuvenation
- Structured medical weight-loss
- Stem cell therapy
- PRP
- Laser skin rejuvenation services
Is a Neuromodulator the Answer for Your Wrinkles?
If you’re noticing fine lines and wrinkles you’re displeased with, a neuromodulator injectable could be the answer you’re seeking. Visit Southeastern Institute of Restorative Medicine in Dothan, AL today to learn more and set up your initial consultation.