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DAXXIFY® is making waves as the newest neuromodulator to compete with BOTOX® Cosmetic. But is this new product better than BOTOX® Cosmetic, which has been the gold standard in neuromodulator injectables for years?
What Are the Similarities Between BOTOX® Cosmetic and DAXXIFY®?
Both of these injectable treatments are neuromodulators that target dynamic wrinkles (caused by smiling, frowning, squinting, or other muscle contractions). Neurotoxins (botulinum toxin-A) block the nerves in the injected muscle from sending signals to the brain.
Without these signals, the muscles cannot contract, which means that dynamic wrinkles will not appear.
These are the similarities between these two FDA-approved injectables. Now, here are the differences.
How Do These Treatments Compare to One Another?
Treatment Areas
BOTOX® Cosmetic is FDA-approved to treat wrinkles in the upper face, including glabellar lines (frown lines or the 11’s between the eyebrows), crow’s feet, and forehead lines. This injectable has long been used off-label to treat dynamic wrinkles across the entire face as well as numerous health-related concerns.
DAXXIFY® is approved by the FDA to treat moderate to severe glabellar lines. This treatment can also be used off-label to treat other dynamic wrinkles in the upper face.
Treatment Longevity and Cost
Since its release, DAXXIFY® has been touted as the longest-lasting neuromodulator. This is because it is said to last for six months in the glabella lines (as opposed to the three to four months estimated for BOTOX® Cosmetic).
However, before you jump on the DAXXIFY® bandwagon, there are some factors to consider.
The FDA approved up to 40 units of DAXXIFY® to treat the glabella area. This amount is estimated to last five to six months. BOTOX Cosmetic usually only requires 20 units to treat the same area (with a three to four-month duration).
However, Dr. Lee has found that he can double the dosage of BOTOX® Cosmetic (up to 40 units) between the brows and prolong result efficacy for up to six months as well.
Right there, DAXXIFY® loses some of its uniqueness. In addition, because of its “longer-lasting results,” DAXXIFY® comes with a higher price tag than BOTOX® Cosmetic. In fact, it is estimated that your DAXXIFY® treatment will cost you 1.5 times as much as a BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment would.
For some, this premium price may seem worth it to not have to return to the office for repeated treatments after three months, but again, there is another caveat to consider.
While the glabellar lines can be treated with the larger dose offered by DAXXIFY®, areas like the forehead and eyes (crow’s feet) cannot be without fear of the toxin migrating. Therefore, you cannot inject the 40 units of toxin needed to reach the six-month timeline in those areas. You will still have to return three to four months later for a repeated injectable session.
Since most patients treat these areas simultaneously, it does not make sense to use BOTOX® Cosmetic for the crow’s feet and forehead lines and DAXXIFY® for the frown lines if your primary reason for choosing DAXXIFY® was its longevity.
Which Neurotoxin Is Right for You?
We tend to think that “new” equates to the best. And although this may be true for certain things, it isn’t completely accurate for neuromodulator treatments.
There’s no question that DAXXIFY® can offer effective results: smoother, younger-looking skin. However, between the two neuromodulators, BOTOX® Cosmetic is still the most popular brand, with over forty years of use to back up its efficacy.
Because of this, Dr. Lee strongly recommends BOTOX® Cosmetic to all of his patients until there is further data to support the efficacy of this new product.
Interested in Learning More About Your Neuromodulator Options?
OUR CENTER IS #1 MAIN LINE AND TOP 100 (out of over 40,000+) PROVIDER OF BOTOX® IN THE US!
Dr. Lee offers a variety of injectable treatments to help you achieve smoother and wrinkle-free skin on the face. To schedule your consultation, call our King of Prussia or Bryn Mawr office at (484) 229-6904 or use our online form here.