Overview
Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. The toxin temporarily prevents the release of neurotransmitters in muscle neurons, causing the muscles to stop contracting until the toxin has been naturally cleared from the muscle tissues. Keeping the muscles in this relaxed state results in smoother skin over the newly relaxed muscle. The injection effects can be visible about 3 days to 2 weeks after the injections. As the body clears the toxins from the muscle tissue, the effects start to wear off. After about 3 months, the muscle is able to contract normally and wrinkles may begin to form again.
Botulinum toxin was first approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for cosmetic medical use in 2002. The drug is manufactured and marketed under the drug brand names Xeomin, Jeuveau, Botox, and Dysport.
What’s the difference between Xeomin, Jeuveau, Botox, and Dysport?
The short answer is that there is virtually no difference in these drugs. They are essentially the same drug, doing the same thing, with the same result. There are minor differences, which I will review below. But, for the vast majority of patients, all of these drugs will achieve the same results and all of these drugs have the same possible side effects.
Xeomin’s advantage: no bound proteins
Both Botox and Dysport use carrier proteins bound to botulinum toxin in their formulation. Since the human body can become accustomed to these proteins and form a resistance, there is a possibility that some patients might develop resistance to Botox or Dysport. That resistance may cause injections to become less effective over time, thus requiring more of the drug each time to achieve the desired result. In order to prevent resistance or to counter resistance that has already built, your provider might recommend a switch to Xeomin, which does not use a bound protein in its injection formulation.
Jeuveau: the newest neurotoxin in town
Jeuveau is a 900kDa purified botulinum toxin formula A and is also a neurotoxin like Botox with the same side-effect profile and the same reports of effectiveness. Jeuveau is committed to offering a price point lower than other neurotoxin injections, which will translate to a lower price for your treatment. However, it is expected that Jeuveau will also build a loyal consumer base soon because of the price point, the ultimate decision is based on the personal choice of the patient and the experience the administrator has had with the brand.
Dysport has a wider spread
Dysport tends to spread wider at the injection site than does Xeomin or Botox. Many providers will not use Dysport around the eyes because of an increased risk of eyelid droop. However, a wider spread can have benefits when injected into other areas where more even smoothing is desired.*
Xeomin, Jeuveau, and Botox require fewer units than Dysport
Xeomin, Jeuveau, and Botox require about the same amount of drug to produce the desired effect. However, Dysport will often require much more drug to achieve results. Although Dysport may be marketed at a lower price per unit, it often takes two to three times as many units to achieve your desired results.*
Cost has many factors
As with other medical procedures, your cost for a botulinum toxin injection is a function of many factors. But the primary factor in cost is the skill and experience of your provider. A physician or surgeon with a good understanding of the drugs, extensive training in cosmetic medical procedures, and many years of experience providing injections will know what botulinum toxin injections to use for your needs and how to achieve the best results.
Beware of deep discounts
Botulinum toxin injections are now widely available with some places offering them for very low prices. Everyone loves a bargain, but deep discounts on a botulinum toxin injection could be a warning that either the injection material or the provider performing the injection—or both—is/are not the highest quality. Very low prices can often be an indication that the provider is buying from non-FDA-approved overseas vendors, and this might put you at risk.
Insist on an on-site physician
Botulinum toxins are FDA-regulated drugs—not beauty products—and injection of these drugs is a medical procedure. There are some well-trained and experienced nurses and physician assistants that can perform these injections with good results. However, while extremely rare, complications from these injections are possible. For this reason, insist that your injections be performed or overseen by a physician that is on-site at the time you get the injection.
Contact us
Are you in the San Francisco Bay Area? Book an appointment with one of our skilled physicians to learn more and develop a treatment plan that is right for your goals, budget, and timeframe. See appointments or call us at 415-409-3456.