Wrinkle Relaxers Explained: Botox Cosmetic and Xeomin

How they work

Botox Cosmetic and Xeomin are both forms of botulinum toxin type A. Injected in small amounts into a specific muscle, they block the signal that tells that muscle to contract. The muscle relaxes, the skin over it stops folding, and the line it was creating softens. Lines that appear only with expression respond most. Lines etched into skin at rest soften more gradually and may need other treatments alongside.

The two products are closely related. Xeomin is a purified form without the accessory proteins found in Botox Cosmetic, which some clinicians and patients prefer. In practice, Dr. Olivo chooses between them based on your history, the area, and what has worked for you before.

What a first visit is like

You start with a conversation. Dr. Olivo asks what bothers you, watches your face move, and explains what a relaxer can and cannot do for those lines. She reviews your medical history and medications. If you are a candidate, treatment usually happens the same day.

The injections themselves take about ten to fifteen minutes. The needle is very fine and most people describe a quick pinch. Numbing is not needed for most areas. You may have small bumps at the injection sites that settle within the hour, and you can go back to work afterward.

What happens next

Nothing changes immediately. The relaxer takes a few days to begin working and the full effect settles in over about two weeks. Dr. Olivo often schedules a brief follow-up around then to check symmetry and make small adjustments if needed.

The effect wears off gradually as the muscle regains its signal. Most people return typically every three to four months. Some go longer, especially after several consistent treatments. Your interval is something you and Dr. Olivo work out over time, not a fixed rule.

Aftercare in plain terms

For the rest of the day, stay upright for a few hours, skip strenuous exercise, and avoid rubbing or massaging the treated area. Makeup can go on after a short wait. Bruising is possible but uncommon, and if it happens it fades like any small bruise. Individual results vary, and the right dose for you is set at your consultation.