Botox and Xeomin do the same job. They relax the small muscles that pull frown lines, forehead lines, and crow's feet into the skin. At my Renton practice Botox is $12/unit and Xeomin is $11/unit. Here is how I help patients pick one, and what the visit costs.
The short version
What is actually different
Both products are botulinum toxin type A. Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) and Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) block the signal between the nerve and the muscle, so the muscle softens and the line it creates fades. In my patients the onset, the peak at two weeks, and how long the effect lasts are very similar between the two.
The manufacturing is where they differ. Xeomin is made without the complexing proteins that surround the active molecule in Botox. Some injectors reach for it when Botox results have faded after years of treatment. The studies behind that are small, so I treat it as one factor in the decision rather than a promise.
Both are FDA approved for the upper face. Botox was approved for frown lines in 2002, crow's feet in 2013, and forehead lines in 2017. Xeomin was approved for frown lines in 2011 and, in July 2024, for forehead lines, frown lines, and crow's feet treated in one session.
One practical note: a unit of Xeomin is not the same as a unit of Botox. The FDA label states that the potency units cannot be compared or converted between botulinum toxin products, so a dose from a previous injector does not carry over one to one. I dose each product on its own.
| Botox | Xeomin | |
|---|---|---|
| Active molecule | OnabotulinumtoxinA | IncobotulinumtoxinA, no complexing proteins |
| Price | $12/unit | $11/unit |
| Example: 30 units | $360 | $330 |
| FDA approval, upper face | Frown lines 2002, crow's feet 2013, forehead 2017 | Frown lines 2011, all three areas July 2024 |
| First visible change | 3 to 7 days | 3 to 7 days |
| Full effect | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| How long it lasts | About 3 to 4 months | About 3 to 4 months |
| Units convertible? | No | No |
How I choose with you
When someone asks me which one to book, I go through the same three questions.
- Have you had success with one of them? If Botox has worked for you, stay with Botox. If Xeomin has worked for you, stay with Xeomin. A product that already gives you a clean result for a full cycle is worth keeping.
- Has Botox stopped working the way it used to? If you have been treated for years and the effect fades faster or looks weaker, Xeomin is the alternative I try first.
- Is this your first treatment? If you have never had either, I usually suggest Xeomin. It treats the same areas on the same timeline and costs a dollar less per unit, which saves a little on every visit.
What the visit costs
Both products are priced per unit, and your total depends on how many units your areas need. Forehead and frown lines together average about 30 units in my practice, but it varies a lot with anatomy and muscle strength. At 30 units that is $360 with Botox or $330 with Xeomin. These numbers are arithmetic, and the dose for your face is decided in the room. For a fuller picture of unit counts by area, see how many units of Botox you need.
The consultation is free. I ask you to frown, raise your brows, and squint, mark the injection points, and tell you the exact unit count and the total before anything is injected.
What to expect after either one
Expect the first softening within three to seven days and the full result at two weeks. If you are planning around a wedding or a trip, book about a month ahead so there is time for a two-week check and a touch-up if you want one. Most people get three to four months from a treatment, and first visits often fade a little sooner. Aftercare is the same for both products, and the aftercare and exercise guide applies to either.
Not sure which one? Book a free consultation.
I'll look at how your face moves, go through the units area by area, and give you the exact total before I start.
Common questions
Is Xeomin as good as Botox?
In my practice the two are very comparable. Onset, peak effect, and how long the result lasts line up closely when each product is dosed for your muscles. The choice comes down to your history with each one and the per-unit price: Botox is $12 per unit and Xeomin is $11 per unit at Flawless Aesthetics in Renton.
Which should I pick for a first treatment?
If you have never had either, I usually suggest Xeomin. It treats the same areas on the same timeline and costs $11 per unit instead of $12. You can confirm the choice at a free consultation before anything is booked.
Can I switch from Botox to Xeomin?
Yes. If Botox has stopped holding the way it used to, Xeomin is the first alternative I try. Units are not convertible between the two products, so I dose Xeomin on its own rather than copying your old Botox numbers.
Do I have to decide before I book?
No. Book a free consultation, and we decide in the room after I see how your face moves and hear what you have tried before. You will know the product, the unit count, and the total before I start.
Which one lasts longer?
About the same. Most people get three to four months from either product, and first visits often fade a little sooner. How long it holds depends more on your dose and muscle strength than on the brand.
About the author
Helen Petrov, BSN, RN is a nurse injector and the owner of Flawless Aesthetics in Renton, WA. She treats every patient personally, serving clients across the Eastside and South King County from her Renton practice. More about Helen →