Botox® vs. Xeomin®: Which Injectable Is Right for Your Concerns?

Injectables have become an immensely popular option for managing signs of aging, such as sagging skin, wrinkles, creases, and fine lines, allowing you to look younger without going under the knife. In 2024 alone, they maintained their position as leaders in minimally invasive treatments, helping 10 million patients achieve younger-looking skin.

Methods such as Botox®, Xeomin®, and a variety of dermal fillers work differently to help you feel better about how you look. While dermal fillers are designed to add volume and fill deep creases, Botox and Xeomin work in a unique way to relax muscles and smooth out wrinkles. However, if they’re so similar, what separates them, and when should you use one or the other? 

For injectables and other treatments to help you turn back time on your looks in the Lake Oswego area, the Lake Oswego Laser and Aesthetics (LOLA) team at Lake Grove ENT is here to help.

Botox® and Xeomin® facts

Both of these injectables derive from the botulinum toxin, the very same one that causes botulism, onabotulinumtoxinA for Botox and incobotulinumtoxinA for Xeomin. The use of Botox for cosmetic and medical treatments began in 1991, and Xeomin in 2010; both work by blocking nerve activity in the muscles.

Cosmetically, both are highly useful for relaxing muscles to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles, and medically, they help manage muscle spasms, upper-limb spasticity, chronic migraines, cervical dystonia, and various eye conditions caused by nerve disorders. Both also fall under the drug class of acetylcholine release inhibitors and neuromuscular blocking agents.

The differences between them

You’d be forgiven for thinking there are no differences between the two, since they come from the same toxin and have a lot of overlap in use. However, there are some key differences in choosing which one for your needs:

How they’re developed

While they both come from the botulinum toxin, how they’re made is definitely different. Botox is a complex protein mixture, while Xeomin (nicknamed the "naked injectable") is a purified form of the same substance.

Speed of results

Botox takes a little longer to show results than Xeomin, about two weeks compared to three to five days. 

Ultimately, the choice of injectable is a matter of personal preference. Both perform the same tasks, and Xeomin works a little faster for a bit longer, but the routine injection side effects are pretty similar. To find the right solution for your injectable needs, make an appointment with the LOLA team at Lake Grove ENT today.