Xeomin, a popular neurotoxin injectable, has become a staple in the beauty industry due to its highly purified formula. It improves the appearance of frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet and provides long-lasting, natural results. But how long does Xeomin last?
Read on to learn more about the expected longevity of this popular injectable and practical ways to prolong the effects.
How Long Does a Xeomin Treatment Take?
One session takes ten to twenty minutes, depending on the number of injection sites and the required dosage. The provider first cleans the treatment area, marks the injection points, and inserts the product with an ultra-fine needle.
No anesthesia is required, but the injector may apply a topical numbing cream or cold pack to reduce discomfort.
How Long Does Xeomin Take to Work?
You can expect to see the first results within three to four days, and it continues to improve. The maximum effect is typically visible thirty days after the treatment.
Xeomin targets dynamic facial wrinkles, such as frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines. The injectable addresses moderate to severe glabellar lines, resulting in more youthful and smoother skin, while preserving a natural expression.
Note: Learn how Botox and Xeomin injectables differ.
How Long Does Xeomin Last?
The effects typically last for three to four months. Longevity depends on a range of factors, such as age, lifestyle, and aftercare.
You can maintain the results with follow-up treatments. Depending on the desired effect, your provider may suggest re-injecting different facial areas every three to four months to maintain a wrinkle-free appearance.
Note: Compare and contrast Xeomin and Dysport treatments.
What Affects the Longevity of Xeomin?
Various factors influence Xeomin’s longevity and effectiveness. Read about what affects the lifespan of this injectable.
Metabolic Rate
Faster metabolism can quickly break down the neurotoxin, resulting in shorter-lasting outcomes. People with prominent muscle mass, such as athletes, metabolize the injected toxin faster and may need more frequent follow-up visits to maintain the desired effect than individuals with a slower metabolic rate.
Treatment Area
Areas with more muscle activity absorb the toxin faster as the constant or repetitive facial movements wear off the results of the treatment. Injections around the eyes fade faster due to constant blinking, squinting, frowning, and raising the eyebrows.
Dosage
Higher dosages of Xeomin may last longer since more of the product is available to block muscle nerve cells. However, dosage must be carefully determined for the desired aesthetic effect. Injecting too much can lead to an unwanted outcome, such as uneven features, bumps, or droopy eyelids.
Note: Learn how to prevent droopy eyelids and bumps after Botox.
Injection Technique
Skillful targeting of each muscle and precise product placement enhances the injectable’s effectiveness and prevents adverse effects, such as muscle weakness or asymmetry.
Ensure your injector is well-qualified to provide both FDA-approved and off-label Xeomin treatments. A reputable provider with extensive experience, skills, and techniques can increase the longevity and effectiveness of this neuromodulator.
Muscle Activity
Xeomin is a neuromodulator that temporarily “freezes” dynamic muscle activity. Frequent muscle contractions around the eyes (e.g., squinting, blinking, and frowning) accelerate the neurotoxin’s breakdown and fade the effect more quickly.
Individuals with more expressive facial movements may need to schedule touch-up sessions more frequently to maintain the desired result.
Age
Younger skin is more elastic and maintains a wrinkle-free appearance longer than older skin. Age-triggered neurotoxin breakdown occurs due to changes in skin and muscle composition.
One of the first signs of aging is reduced skin quality; the body stops producing enough collagen and elastin, becoming less responsive to the treatment. That is why older individuals experience short-lived results and may need to schedule more frequent touch-up visits.
Note: Learn about the differences between collagen and elastin.
Lifestyle
Your lifestyle choices, hobbies, and activities also reduce the duration of Xeomin treatments. Exercise, diet, and stress levels influence skin quality, muscle activity, and metabolic rate.
Strenuous exercise increases metabolism and leads to faster breakdown of the product. Poor diet affects skin quality, causing premature aging, dryness, and loss of elasticity. Stress is bad for the skin as resulting muscle tension causes the toxin to wear off faster. Stress also exacerbates various skin conditions (e.g., eczema, psoriasis, and acne).
Aftercare
Proper aftercare significantly prolongs the duration of Xeomin injections. Well-hydrated and well-cared-for skin is more resilient to outside factors and preserves its elasticity.
Not adhering to aftercare guidelines shortens Xeomin’s lifespan and can trigger side effects, such as bruising, dryness, swelling, and migration.
How to Make Xeomin Last Longer?
You can maximize Xeomin’s longevity by modifying your lifestyle and following the recommended post-injection protocol.
Below is a list of actionable tips that can help prolong the effectiveness of Xeomin.
Follow the Post-Treatment Care Instructions
Adhere to the guidelines provided by your injector to ensure longer-lasting results and prevent unwanted effects. Refrain from touching or rubbing the injected area to avoid toxin migration.
Following post-treatment care instructions can enhance the effectiveness of the treatment and help prevent the toxin from breaking down prematurely.
Use High-Quality Skincare Products
Medical-grade skincare products for sensitive skin strengthen the protective barrier, reduce oxidative stress, and prolong the results. Choose antioxidant ingredients to reduce photodamage, stimulate collagen and elastin production, and slow down aging. High-quality moisturizers, serums, and gentle cleansers with natural, soothing ingredients will protect and calm any skin irritations.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water hydrates the skin from the inside, helps maintain elasticity, and supports its natural barrier function. Water helps the skin look plump, fresh, and supple, enhancing Xeomin’s rejuvenating effect. Hydration also makes the skin less prone to irritations, dryness, and premature wrinkles, lines, and creases.
Avoid Excessive Facial Movements
Refrain from excessive or repeated facial movements to prevent the breakdown of the neurotoxin. Exaggerated facial movements involve repetitive muscle contractions that diminish Xeomin’s longevity and reduce effectiveness. Keep the movements gentle, natural, and controlled to avoid overworking the treated muscles.
Avoid Heat and Light Exposure
Excessive heat and sunlight exposure shorten the longevity of Xeomin by increasing blood circulation, which causes the toxin to disperse more quickly. UV radiation also causes skin damage, leading to premature aging and poor skin quality.
Avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds for at least 48 hours after the treatment to ensure the product settles properly and reduce the risk of swelling, bruising, and skin inflammation. If you go out, always apply sunscreen to reduce photoaging, prevent DNA damage, and preserve a youthful complexion.
Stay in an Upright Position
Keep your head elevated and avoid bending forward for at least four hours after the procedure. Xeomin experts caution against any activities that involve lying down or lowering your head below the heart level, such as gardening or exercising.
Maintain an upright position and keep your shoulders forward-facing to ensure the toxin settles properly and lasts longer.
Note: Read more about this in our article about bending after Botox.
Limit Smoking and Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol and nicotine shorten the duration of Xeomin by impairing blood circulation, depriving the skin of oxygen and nutrients, disrupting the healing process, and prolonging recovery.
Consuming alcoholic beverages and smoking cigarettes also accelerates the breakdown of the neurotoxin and cause dehydration, swelling, and premature wrinkle formation, all of which compromise the treatment’s effectiveness.
Note: Find out if you can drink alcohol after Botox.
Adopt a Balanced Diet
A balanced, nutrient-dense diet supplies the skin with essential nutrients, enhances its elasticity and resilience, and helps to prolong the results of anti-aging cosmetic treatments. An anti-inflammatory diet rich in healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants extends the duration of Xeomin and makes your skin appear fresh and smooth longer.
Conversely, eating highly processed foods, sugar, and snacks packed with artificial additives increases inflammation, causes more oxidative damage, and drastically shortens Xeomin’s duration.
Use Stress-Relief and Zinc-Based Supplements
Dietary supplements can enhance Xeomin’s effectiveness and prolong its rejuvenating effects. Vitamins for stress and stress-relief supplements are packed with potent antioxidants that support overall skin health, preserve its barrier, and help maintain a glowing, youthful, wrinkle-free appearance.
A study confirmed that dietary zinc and phytase supplementation increases the efficacy and duration of botulinum toxin treatments. Consult your healthcare provider about the safest and most effective options before trying a new supplement.
Conclusion
Xeomin has excellent anti-aging potential and reduces the appearance of dynamic forehead wrinkles, delivering fast, durable results. A few tricks can prolong its duration and reduce the number of follow-up visits.
Knowing what factors influence its longevity and how to maintain its effects will help enjoy the youthful look provided by this injectable for longer. Consult our Vibrant Skin Bar skin experts to learn more about this and related topics.
