It's no secret that we all want to stay young and beautiful for as long as possible. And thanks to the achievements of modern medicine, this is not some impossible wish. Several, as the people say, anti-aging injections - and now the burden of the past years has disappeared along with the smoothed wrinkles on the face.
Botulinum toxin-based medications are able to neutralize the external signs of skin aging within six months after the injection. One of such medical products is Xeomin, a review of which most consumers characterize the drug as highly effective.
The composition of the drug, pharmacodynamics
One bottle of Xeomin contains 100 IU of type A botulinum toxin. Sucrose and serum albumin (human) act as additional components. The principle of action of almost all drugs based on botulinum toxin is based on the temporary blocking of nerve impulses going to the treated muscle, as a result of which it stops contracting and is smoothed out.
The medication contains a muscle relaxant (a substance that lowers the tone of skeletal muscle and reduces motor activity until immobilization), which inhibits the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is the main “protagonist” in the processes of neuromuscular transmission. After the Xeomin injection (patient reviews of the procedure itself will be discussed below), the movement of ecovesicles is disrupted at the cellular level, and the synthesis and release of acetylcholine stops. Within 4-7 days, the relaxation of the treated muscle occurs, i.e. deep relaxation, accompanied by the removal of mental stress. The effect will be maintained for up to 4 months.
The drug is available in the form of a lyophilisate powder. The medicine is packaged in bottles (each in a separate package). The corked bottle has a shelf life of 3 years. Already diluted for injection, botulinum toxin can be stored for the next 24 hours under certain temperature conditions: 2-8 degrees Celsius.
Indications for use of the drug
According to the official instructions for use, "Xeomin" is prescribed for blepharospasm, atrophic changes in the skin and with a crank spastic nature.
By blepharospasm we understand involuntary contractions of the circular muscles of the eye, which, as a rule, lead to persistent spasmodic closure of the eyelids. The drug "Kseomin" reviews of medical professionals characterize as an effective tool for the treatment of this problem. A torticollis is treated with a no less positive result (changes in soft tissues, nerve endings and the skeleton of the neck, manifested in a tilt of the head with its rotation in the opposite direction), acquired as a result of contraction of the neck muscles (spastic or reflex torticollis).
However, most often this drug, acting mainly on the peripheral nervous system, is used for atrophic changes in the skin of the face around the eyes, nasolabial folds, etc.
Methods of use for various diseases
In order to administer Xeomin injections (patient reviews and expert opinion confirm this), you must have certain qualifications and experience with similar medical devices. The number of necessary injections and dosage is determined by a specialist.
In the treatment of blepharospasm, the dose of a single injection is 5 units. Therapy can last up to 12 weeks, during which the total maximum dosage should not be more than 100 units. Injections are made in the circular muscle of the eye, in the lateral part of the circular muscle of the eye of the lower eyelid, in the muscular apparatus of the face.
When treating torticollis, the doctor finds out the localization points of pain and determines the location of the procedure. When calculating the dosage, the weight of the patient and the volume of the diseased muscle are taken into account. In most cases, the dose for single use does not exceed 200 units.
The medicine found the greatest application in aesthetic cosmetology. To correct crow's feet or small wrinkles, Xeomin is injected under the eyes.
The majority of patients' reviews are positive. In addition, the drug is effective in eliminating wrinkles of any orientation on the forehead and between the eyebrows, removes radial wrinkles around the mouth and in the decollete. In each case, the dosage of the drug is calculated individually for each patient.
Advantages of Xeomin
If the decision on botulinum therapy is finally made, often the question arises for patients about which drug to prefer - Botox or Xeomin. What's better? Reviews about both medicines are both positive and negative.
The main area of application of “Xeomin” is nevertheless to a greater extent cosmetology, and not medicine. The composition of the drug lacks a protein part, which virtually eliminates the likelihood of developing inflammatory processes and allergic manifestations. The smallest molecular weight among all known botulinum toxins allows the use of Xeomin for the smallest muscles.
Further, the medication does not need to be stored in the cold, which gives the palm to the drug in question in case of the following question: “Dysport” or “Xeomin” - which is better? Reviews of the manufacturer indicate the impossibility of impaired performance due to deviations in storage or transportation. Even if the medication is used for a long time, antibodies are not produced in the body. The molecules of the drug have minimal diffusion ability, which eliminates the development of any negative effects from the drug in areas adjacent to the treated. For the same reason, the minimum diffusion — the dose required to obtain a positive effect — is “Xeomin” significantly less than “Botox”.
In addition to all of the above, “Xeomin” does not affect the deep layers of the facial muscles, which allows the patient to maintain emotional reactions. This advantage is especially valuable for public people.
With regard to finance, it is worth saying that Kseomin is somewhat cheaper than Botox - 250 rubles against 320-330.
Disadvantages of Xeomin
Among the negative characteristics, one can single out the fact that the drug is ineffective in the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis . The reason for this phenomenon lies in weak diffusion. In addition, the Botox analogue - Xeomin (patient reviews confirm this fact) - gives a lasting result for 3-4 months, while Botox itself is effective for six months.
It is also worth mentioning that Xeomin has not yet accumulated a sufficient scientific base (Botox has been more studied in this respect, since it has been used in medicine and cosmetology for a long time).
Contraindications for the use of the drug
Any drug with the simplest formula has contraindications, not to mention botulinum toxins. The unique composition of the drug and the ability to use the minimum dose leads to the fact that anyone about the Xeomin product reviews negative color drowning in a sea of positive feedback. Nevertheless, the medication has a number of serious contraindications for use.
It is not prescribed to those patients who suffer from diseases of the nervous and muscle systems, accompanied by muscle weakness (for example, myasthenia gravis). Hypersensitivity to botulinum toxins, malignant neoplasms of any localization, glaucoma are also sufficient grounds for refusing to use this drug.
Naturally, the patient’s feedback on the Xeomin remedy will be negative if the doctor is not informed before the procedure that the person is currently suffering from an acute infectious disease, accompanied by an increase in body temperature, and for this reason takes any antibacterial or some other medication. The reaction of the body in this case to the introduction of botulinum toxin cannot be predicted at all, but it will be present with a high degree of probability.
It is unacceptable to use Xeomin injections for pregnant women and nursing mothers, patients suffering from any diseases of the blood system accompanied by poor coagulation. The procedure should be postponed until better times if any dermatological, inflammatory, purulent skin problems are observed in the area where the injection is necessary. Also a contraindication is the presence in the patient of severe somatic diseases in the stage of decompensation.
Possible side effects
The patients' reviews about Xeomin, as well as medical workers, say, though not about the frequent, but taking place, development of adverse reactions to botulinum toxin injections. In most cases, this happens either due to a violation of the technique of the procedure by the doctor, or due to the patient's non-compliance with the doctor's recommendations after the injection.
Most often, people talk about unpleasant phenomena and sensations in the injection area - this is bruising, swelling, burning. Perhaps the development of ptosis (drooping) of the upper eyelid, sagging tissues, asymmetry of the face. Sometimes you can hear about the development of flu-like symptoms, the appearance of a headache.
As for the doctor’s recommendations after the Xeomin injection procedure, patients who neglected the doctor’s instructions often write negative reviews. You need to know that after the injection you can not massage this place on the skin, apply any cosmetics. It is unacceptable to heat facial tissues (tanning beds, saunas, baths, etc.) and consume alcoholic beverages. In addition, you can not expose yourself to great physical exertion, sleep face down, apply certain medications (for example, antibiotics).
If the medication was used to treat blepharospasm, then the Xeomin remedy (drug reviews, injections reviews) may be negative in color due to the manifestation of a significantly larger number of side effects. These include dryness of the mucous membrane of the eyeball, lacrimation, paresthesia, lagophthalmos (inability to fully close the eyelids), diplopia (simultaneous viewing of two images of one object, displaced horizontally, vertically, diagonally from each other).
Given the possible negative reactions of the body to the Xeomin medication (a review of a small group of patients reported a deterioration in visual perception), it is highly advisable to refrain from performing work that requires an increased concentration of attention and speed of psychomotor reactions after the procedure. The same recommendations are given by health workers regarding the management of vehicles.
Possible consequences of exceeding the permissible dose
The introduction of overestimated doses of “Xeomin” can cause paralysis of muscles located at a sufficient distance from the injection zone. The fact of an overdose can be indicated by such conditions as asthenia (a feeling of powerlessness, manifested by increased fatigue, instability of mood, etc.), diplopia, ptosis. If there are difficulties with swallowing, problems with speech, paralysis of the muscles involved in the breathing process, with the simultaneous formation of aspiration pneumonia, medical care is needed in a hospital. In especially severe cases of reaction to "Xeomin" (a review in this case, as a rule, left by a specialist), it will be advisable to use intubation, mechanical ventilation (ALV).
What to prefer - “Xeomin”, “Botox” or “Dysport”?
It is difficult enough to make a choice between the Botox and Xeomin preparations. The reviews of experts suggest that both medicines are based on the same type A botulinum toxin. The only difference is that Xeomin is an improved version of Botox. Both drugs have the same principle of action: the main active component blocks the contractile function of the muscle, as a result of which it relaxes.
The principle of influence of “Dysport” is also very similar to both of the above means, but to get a meaningful result, its dose is several times higher: if “Botox” or “Xeomina” for the procedure, 5-30 units are needed, then “Dysport” for injection into the same point - 15-90 units.
A significant difference between Xeomin and two other medicines is the absence of a protein complex in the first. This factor, as mentioned earlier, gives a lot of advantages to this drug over all others. Here is the possibility of long-term storage without observing severe temperature restrictions, and a very low probability of developing allergic manifestations, and a minimal risk of addiction and decreased sensitivity. The absence of protein compounds allows the Xeomin molecules to be more tightly attracted and fit to the muscle ends, which practically negates the possibility of shifts in the tissues, that is, the skin will not sag at the injection site.
According to patients and doctors, when choosing a drug for injection, you also need to pay attention to the fact how quickly the result becomes noticeable visually and how long it lasts. According to the duration of exposure (about six months) the first place behind Botox, the other two botulinum toxins will work productively for 3-4 months. According to the speed of manifestation of the result, Xeomin or Dysport have proven themselves better. The reviews of patients and health workers in this matter are the same. The effect will become noticeable after 2-3 days.
Opinion about the drug of patients and health workers
Among consumers, by now, it is believed that Kseomin has the greatest effect on the mouth, eyes and nose, while Dysport has a better effect on the forehead and nose. For some time now, it is believed that Xeomin is more suitable for young patients, although the medication is able to solve age-related problems.
The opinions of women are rather ambiguous about the Xeomin drug. Reviews (before and after the injection - many do not see a difference in appearance) of such content can be read from time to time on women's forums in social networks. Although a certain group of patients liked the medication very much. Further, the effect of Xeomin lasts 3-4 months, while Botox will be effective for at least 6 months.
However, there is another opinion about Xeomin - this is the opinion of cosmetologists. This drug has a more gentle effect on the skin, its formula is much milder than all previously known medicines of this series. The absence of a protein component minimizes the risk of side effects and allergic reactions, but also significantly reduces the period of effective exposure to the skin. Low diffusion is a guarantee that the drug will not affect neighboring parts of the body and will not affect deep-lying muscles.
In any case, the most appropriate decision when choosing a drug for botulinum toxin therapy will be to consult a doctor. Only a doctor will evaluate the health status of his patient, take into account all the associated problems and decide on the use of a particular medicine with the lowest risk of developing side and allergic manifestations, but with the maximum possible cosmetic effect in terms of duration and attractiveness.