Which neurotoxin is right for me?

Posted on: August 16th, 2021 by Our Team

Comparing Neurotoxins: Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin

Wrinkle relaxing botulinum toxin type A injections ‘neurotoxins’ are the most common non-invasive aesthetic procedure in the U.S. While they are commonly called “Botox,” there are actually four different FDA-approved neurotoxins: Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin.

Just as brands like Band-Aid have become synonymous with adhesive bandages and Kleenex with tissues, “Botox” has been the go-to term for wrinkle relaxing neurotoxins. All four of these brands contain the same active ingredient (BoNT-A) and are FDA approved to treat the same aesthetic concerns.

So, how do you differentiate between the four? Double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Zeena Al-Dujaili of New Orleans Aesthetics explains.

How Botulinum Toxin Type A Injections Work

Before we breakdown the differences between Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomine, it’s important to understand what they are and how they work.

Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT) is the primary active ingredient in each of the three products. In cosmetic dermatology, botulinum toxin is used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles caused by facial expressions (think: frowning, squinting, smiling, and the like) by injecting it into the muscles underlying the affected area. In turn, the lack of muscle contraction prevents the face from forming lines and wrinkles.

The result? Smoother skin for three to four months (or until it wears off).

Comparing BoNT-A Injections

Now that you know what Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin have in common, it’s time to understand what makes them different — no matter how subtle the distinctions might be.

First and foremost, the four neurotoxins are made by different manufacturers, which leads to different costs, potencies, and formulations. While the active ingredient in each product is botulinum toxin type A, some also feature protein blends that may affect the diffusion and efficacy of the injection. Such subtleties are why it is important to find a provider who is well versed in the market.

If you’re one of the 7.5 million Americans who received a wrinkle-relaxing injection each year or are looking to join the ranks, here’s everything you need to know about the four FDA-approved BoNT injectables on the market.

Botox

• FDA Approval: Botox was first approved by the FDA as a temporary aesthetic treatment to improve the appearance of frown lines between the eyebrows in April 2002. It has since been cleared to treat forehead lines and crow’s feet, too (in addition to all its “off label” uses). Botox was the first product of it’s kind.
• The Background: Botox, or onabotulinumtoxinA, is a product of Irish drugmaker Allergan, and it currently holds an estimated 80 percent of the BoNT-A injection market. With a molecular weight of 900 kDa, Allergan formulates botulinum toxin type A with protective proteins that a subset of patients may develop an antibody against over time, lessening the effectiveness of the treatment. The inactive ingredients in Botox® include human albumin (i.e. plasma proteins) and sodium chloride. There is also a therapeutic version of product that can be used to treat medical conditions like migraines, excessive sweating, and eye spasms (to name a few.
• The Results: Botox is effective but not permanent. It takes about three to five days post-treatment for the results to appear (though it can take up to two weeks for the final effect to be visible), and it lasts about three to four months in most patients. The longevity depends on everything from the way a patient’s body metabolizes the product to the area being treated.

Dysport

• FDA Approval: Dysport was first approved to treat frown lines in April 2009, and, like Botox, also has therapeutic uses to calm muscle spasticity.
• The Background: A product of Medicis Pharmaceutical, Dysport (a.k.a. abobotulinumtoxinA) is slightly less potent than Botox® due to its molecular weight. While both have the same 150 kDa of BoNT-A at their core, the weight of the protective proteins in Dysport® are not uniform like those in Botox. As a result, Dysport has a higher rate of diffusion, which makes it ideal for treating larger areas (think: foreheads) — though more product may be needed to achieve results. Nonetheless, the cost is generally comparable to Botox. Like Botox, it is formulated with human albumin, and Dysport also contains lactose and cow’s milk protein — making it unsuitable for patients with milk allergies.
• The Results: While the effects of Dysport may show up sooner (within 24 hours) than Botox, some studies have shown that they may not last as long. The shorter lifespan could make it a good choice for patients who are unsure about whether they will like the results of BoNT-A injections.

Jeuveau

• FDA Approval: The new kid on the block was approved exclusively for cosmetic use in February 2019.
• The Background: You may recall the splashy launch party that branded Jeuveau (i.e. prabotulinumtoxinA) as “#NEWTOX.” Maker Evolus is hoping the newbie will prove to be a worthy competitor to Botox, as they both carry a molecular weight of 900 kDa, are formulated with human albumin and sodium chloride, and offer similar results. But, with a price point 20 to 30 percent less than Botox and marketing campaigns largely targeted at millennials, it would appear Jeuveau is seeking to carve out its own patient niche.
• The Results: Clinical data is limited due to the newness of the product, but trials have shown Jeuveau to have a similar safety and efficacy profile to Botox. Patients generally begin to see results in three to five days, and they last for three to six months.

Xeomin

• FDA Approval: Xeomin was first approved by the FDA in 2010 for treating blepharospasm, or involuntary blinking, and cervical dystonia, an involuntary contraction of neck muscles. In 2015 it was approved for treating upper limb spasticity, and in 2018 it was approved for treating chronic sialorrhea.
• The Background: Xeomin® is made through a unique precision manufacturing process that isolates the therapeutic component of the molecule and removes the complexing/unnecessary proteins that don’t play an active role in treatment. Xeomin® is a uniquely purified neurotoxin. Studies have not been performed to determine whether the presence or absence of complexing/unnecessary proteins has a long-term effect on safety or efficacy.
• The Results: Most patients begin to see their results in about four days, which is just slightly longer than with Botox, which offers signs of improvement within 72 hours. Both injectables last anywhere from three to six months, and you can opt to schedule another treatment when the first one wears off.

The Takeaway

As you can see, each of the four neurotoxins have similar safety and efficacy profiles, but subtle differences do exist that may make one a better option for your particular needs. If you’re interested in neurotoxins to smooth wrinkles and fine lines, schedule a consultation with double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Zeena.