MINDFOOD PROMOTION
It’s officially been a decade since XEOMIN®, an effective and highly purified botulinum toxin anti-wrinkle treatment, arrived in New Zealand.
Skincare can do so much, but for many people, adding cosmetic procedures like injectable treatments is a desirable way to round out their skin and appearance routine.
Unlike topical products in a jar, these can go beyond surface level to help address some of the visible effects of ageing.
Anti-wrinkle advances
In particular, the complexion-smoothing effects of injectable botulinum toxin treatments have transformed what’s possible in achieving a more youthful and refreshed appearance.
The treatments reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles and fine lines by temporarily relaxing movement in the muscles that cause them. They can be used to soften lines around the forehead and eyes that some people report make them look sad or tired as a result of ageing and skin’s loss of collagen and elasticity.
According to survey results¹ released by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in 2023 botulinum toxin remained the most common non-surgical procedure for both men and women and across all age groups, with an estimated 8.8 million procedures performed by plastic surgeons worldwide.
While botulinum toxin treatments are now widely used, many people don’t realise they have a choice on which product is used, and not all are created equally.
XEOMIN® celebrates 10 years
XEOMIN® is an injectable aesthetic treatment that uses a highly purified version of botulinum toxin. It has just marked 10 years of use in medical aesthetic clinics across Australia and New Zealand.
XEOMIN® has a highly purified* formulation which means that, unlike other anti-wrinkle treatments, it is free from unnecessary additional proteins (called complexing proteins*) that may, over time, increase the risk of your anti-wrinkle treatment not working.
Called “botulinum toxin resistance”, research shows this happens when the body develops antibodies which attach to and deactivate botulinum toxin, preventing it from working as intended.
This is one reason you might not be seeing the long-lasting results you used to see, or you are needing higher doses of botulinum toxin to try and achieve the same desired effect. In some cases, the injections stop working completely, also ruling it out for potential future medical treatments.
Leading global company Merz Aesthetics developed XEOMIN® with additional purification steps to help address this growing issue. The purified neurotoxin is free of other bacterial proteins that may contribute to the body developing resistance. XEOMIN® is also stable at room temperature with no need for refrigeration, unlike other similar products.
There’s no compromise on performance as a result. In frown line treatment studies, XEOMIN® anti-wrinkle injections improved the appearance of frown lines in over 95 percent of patients within one month of treatment and desirable effects were maintained for up to four months.
Additional clinical trials have shown that XEOMIN® is also highly effective for the treatment of horizontal forehead lines and crow’s feet with results maintained for up to four months.
With wide use (more than 30 million vials shipped globally) over many years, there are no known case reports of resistance attributed to XEOMIN® in patients only treated with XEOMIN® for aesthetic purposes.
Family-owned experts
A family-owned company founded in Germany in 1908, Merz has a background in research and development as a pharmaceutical company.
However, the company also has a significant interest in health and beauty dating back to the 1950s, leading to development and innovation in aesthetic approaches in more recent decades.
Jeannine Hill, Associate Vice President Merz Aesthetics Australia & New Zealand, says the company remains focused on the best possible results and XEOMIN® stands on its own merit.
“XEOMIN® has taken significant market share in the 10 years it has been available,” she says of the injectable treatment that is now widely available in New Zealand.
The company’s innovation also delivers a more sustainable approach in an industry facing ongoing challenges to minimise waste.
“Many of us are increasingly concerned about the environment and the footprint we leave, so having a product that does not require cold chain or Styrofoam® packaging is very attractive,” explains Jeannine Hill. “Styrofoam® is a major recycling challenge in the world, as it can take centuries to break down and often ends up in the ocean. Globally, XEOMIN® avoids an annual solid waste mass of 9,700kg of Styrofoam®”
XEOMIN® is available from selected healthcare professionals around New Zealand. If you are interested in treatment, you should seek expert advice and your treatment provider should take into account your health history and any relevant exclusions. You can learn more about XEOMIN® at xeomin.co.nz.
*XEOMIN® is free from complexing proteins.
¹ The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) Global Survey 2023
Xeomin® (Incobotulinumtoxin A) 50, 100 Units is a Prescription Medicine. Indications: In adults, for the treatment of cervical dystonia; blepharospasm; spasticity of the upper limb; upper facial lines: glabellar frown lines, lateral periorbital lines (crow’s feet), horizontal forehead lines. Xeomin has both risks and benefits, consult your doctor to see if Xeomin is right for you. Further information on the risks and benefits of Xeomin can be found in the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) available from www.medsafe.govt.nz or by calling 0800 822 310. Use strictly as directed. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your doctor, pharmacist or health care professional. Common side effects include: Headaches; nausea; tenderness, swelling, redness, numbness or bruising of the skin; dry eye; heavy feeling of eyelid/eyebrow/forehead; face/brow not symmetrical, dropping eyelids/eyebrows. Serious side effects are rare and include allergic reactions. Xeomin is an unfunded medicine, prescription charge will apply. Normal doctor charges will still apply.
Copyright © 2024. Pharmacy Retailing NZ Limited t/a Health Care Logistics (HCL) 58 Richard Pearse Drive, Mangere, Auckland 2022. All rights reserved. Xeomin ® and Merz Aesthetics are registered trademarks of Merz Pharma GMbH & Co. KGaA.. Date of preparation: November 2024. TAPS MR11162
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