BOTOX® Or Xeomin® — Which One Is Better?
No one wants to look older than they feel. BOTOX and Xeomin can provide a smoother, younger-looking complexion. Learn about the differences here.
Written by Julie Davis, Founder Medically reviewed by Brittany Smith, MSN, APRN, FNP-C Updated October 9, 2026 4 min read
No one wants to look older than they feel. At Pura Vida Medspa, we offer the latest injectable options to fight some of the most common signs of aging. Over time with different injections, patients get a feel for which treatment works best for them. When initially deciding which one to use, it’s best to consult with an experienced injector.
Pura Vida Medspa offers a range of services at our state-of-the-art, luxury medspa in Fleming Island, FL, including BOTOX and Xeomin wrinkle relaxers. We offer options for all patients to serve their needs on a personalized basis.
You can achieve a smoother, younger-looking complexion through the widely used wrinkle relaxers BOTOX and Xeomin. If you want to know which option may work best for your unique skin, read the information below and schedule an appointment at our luxury day spa.
BOTOX and Xeomin – Similarities
When you make an expression such as a smile or frown, the facial muscles contract. When repeated often enough, these contractions can lead to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Injectable wrinkle relaxers such as BOTOX and Xeomin use a purified strain of botulinum toxin to temporarily block the impulses that cause muscle contractions, lessening the appearance of these lines. Both are trusted and effective options used in med spas across the country.
Not only that, BOTOX and Xeomin are FDA-approved cosmetic treatments to treat and improve the appearance of moderate to severe lines. This includes facial wrinkles such as Crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles, glabellar lines, and other concerns. When administered by a professional at Pura Vida Medspa, it results in a dramatically younger, more energized appearance.
BOTOX and Xeomin – What makes them different?
If you are struggling with Crow’s feet or wrinkles between the brows, you may have considered an injectable to correct them. BOTOX may have been the only or more well-known treatment for patients in years past, but today there are more options available. There are several subtle differences between BOTOX and Xeomin that can offer distinct outcomes for patients. Xeomin is not the only alternative, either: Dysport is the other comparison patients most often ask us to run.
Formulation
When considering the differences between these two injectables, it comes down to the ingredients. BOTOX has additional ingredients and accessory proteins that surround the active ingredient botulinum toxin A. Xeomin is also made with botulinum toxin A, but is a “naked” injectable with no additives included.
Storage
The unique formulation of Xeomin means it can be stored in room-temperature environments. This allows manufacturers to ship and store Xeomin worry-free. BOTOX has additives that require special storage and refrigeration before use.
Results
Patients should notice visible improvements 3 – 4 days after their Xeomin injection, and the results should last about three months. With BOTOX, it normally takes 5 – 7 days before the effects can be seen, and the results may last 3 – 4 months. Keep in mind that with both injections, you will need to schedule follow-up appointments with Pura Vida Medspa to maintain your results.
Other considerations
In some cases, patients develop a reduced response to BOTOX over years of repeated treatment, a pattern sometimes linked to antibodies against its accessory proteins. When that happens, some providers turn to the purer formula of Xeomin, since it carries no accessory proteins to target. Our complete Xeomin guide covers dosing, onset, and cost in more depth if you want the fuller picture.
Procedure technique and aftercare
When you arrive for your appointment, our experienced injector will evaluate your problem areas to determine which formulation works best for you. BOTOX and Xeomin are safe for all types of skin, but keep in mind that we do not recommend these injectables for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Please inform a member of our staff about any other health concerns you may have.
While BOTOX and Xeomin wrinkle relaxers have some differences, they are administered in the same manner. You may be asked to make several facial expressions, such as frowning or squinting, that allow us to visualize where to place the injections. Your injector will then use a very fine needle to administer treatment. Patients may feel a pinch or slight discomfort on the targeted area for just a moment. To make you feel more comfortable, Pura Vida Medspa in Fleming Island, FL, may provide a local anesthetic if requested.
You will be able to resume your activities as normal following treatment, but avoid vigorous activities like exercise until the following day. There may be some very mild swelling and bruising, but these common symptoms will dissipate within a few days and can be easily concealed with makeup.
Choosing BOTOX or Xeomin at Pura Vida Medspa
Thanks to wrinkle relaxer treatments, you can smile, laugh, and make a range of expressions without worry. Relax dynamic lines on your face and prevent new wrinkles from forming with BOTOX and Xeomin. Men and women alike receive outstanding results with just one appointment at Pura Vida Medspa. Schedule a consultation at our luxury medspa in Fleming Island, just south of Jacksonville, to create your unique treatment plan today.
Frequently Asked Questions
BOTOX and Xeomin Questions, Answered
Is Xeomin's 'naked' formula actually better than BOTOX?
Not objectively, no. Xeomin leaves out the accessory proteins that surround BOTOX's active ingredient, and some providers see that as an advantage for patients who have built up a reduced response to BOTOX over years of treatment. For a first-time patient with no treatment history, that difference rarely changes the result you will see in the mirror.
Do BOTOX and Xeomin use the same number of units?
Close to it. BOTOX and Xeomin generally dose at roughly a one-to-one ratio, which is different from Dysport, where it takes about two to three units to do the work of one BOTOX unit. That makes it easier to compare a treatment plan across the two, since the unit counts your injector quotes are measuring the same thing.
Which works faster, BOTOX or Xeomin?
Xeomin tends to show results a little sooner, often within three to four days, where BOTOX more commonly takes five to seven. Both settle into their full effect within about two weeks, so the head start is modest. If you're treating before an event, plan a month out rather than choosing a product based on onset alone.
Does one last longer than the other?
Not reliably. Xeomin's results typically run about three months and BOTOX's about three to four, but the spread between two patients on the same product is often wider than the spread between the products themselves. Your own history with either one is a better predictor than the published averages.
I think I've built up a resistance to BOTOX. Will switching to Xeomin help?
It can, for some patients. A reduced response to BOTOX over years of treatment is sometimes linked to antibodies against its accessory proteins, and Xeomin's pure formula removes that target. It isn't guaranteed to restore your results, but it's a reasonable next step to discuss at your consultation, especially if your BOTOX results have been fading faster than they used to.
Which should you choose for your first injectable treatment?
Either is a reasonable starting point, since both are well-studied and produce similar results in a careful injector's hands. BOTOX's longer track record makes it a common default for first-timers who want predictable behavior while your provider learns how your face responds, but it isn't the only right answer.
All information subject to change. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary.
Authored & Medically Reviewed
Written by
Pura Vida's founder, with two decades of healthcare leadership and a master's in health administration — built on relentless education and rigorous technology vetting.
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Medically reviewed by
Brittany Smith, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Family Nurse Practitioner
A certified Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in advanced aesthetic medicine, with six years in trauma and progressive care before aesthetics.
View full profile →More in Injectables
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