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What Are the Best Botox Alternatives?

asked 4 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Chad K. Wheeler, MD
Question viewed 74,514 times
Tags: alternative, botox alternatives

Not so sure I want to try Botox.  Are there good alternatives that will help me get rid of wrinkles on my forehead the same way Botox does? 

51 answers to What Are the Best Botox Alternatives?

+1

Dysport for alternative to Botox

While there are treatment alternatives for forehead wrinkles besides injections, Botox works so well in this area that it is almost without compare. A new competitor to Botox  -- Dysport -- also works very well in this area and may be more affordable for some practices.
Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

+7

Botox alternatives are Dysport, PureTox, Myobloc

There are no real alternatives to Botox except other forms of Botulinum toxin A (the active ingredient in Botox). Botox and Botox Cosmetic is made and distributed by Allergan, Inc. The vials contain the identical medication. There are medical conditions that benefit from Botox. However, insurance companies don’t pay for cosmetic treatment. To keep things simple, Allergan elected to market a product that was clearly labeled cosmetic to keep things straight. In France, Allergan markets... more
Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon
+5

While there are no medication alternatives to Botox,...

While there are no medication alternatives to Botox, there are procedures which can be done as alternatives to Botox treatment for the lines between the eyebrows. Lines between the brows can be divided into those that are present at rest or even after Botox administration and those that are created with frowning (muscle motion). Botox will paralyze the muscles and stop the lines created with muscle motion and soften the lines present at rest due to resting tone of the muscles. For those... more
D.J. Verret, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+3

Botox alternative with better longevity

A longer lasting alternative to Botox is GFX, which is a radiofrequency procedure that lasts approximately 1 year or more. This is due to ablation of the nerves which cause muscular contraction of the glabella (corrugator, procerus, depressor supracillii). Only one treatment is required.
Brett S. Kotlus, MD

Rochester Oculoplastic Surgeon
+2

Alternatives to Botox

The biggest competitior, at the moment,  to Botox, manufactured by Allergan, is Dysport, manufactured by Medicis.  Both are injectable neurotoxins.   Dysport has been shown to have a quicker onset.  It may last longer, as well.  Brow lifts, a procedure generally done by plastic surgeons, are also available but are considerably more invasive.  If you have a lot of sun damage and loss of skin elasticity, sometimes addressing the skin texture results in... more
Dina D. Strachan, MD

New York Dermatologist
+2

Alternatives to Botox for the Forehead lines

Forehead lines develope early in life for most of us. A portion of the activity is related to expression, especially when we are younger. As we begin to age the heaviness builds up along the upper eyelid area, a lot of people will begin to raise their brows in an attempt to lift the heaviness off of the eyelid. This can result in alot of forehead lines. In these patients being evaluated by a cosmetic surgeon will help to determine if a brow lift or upper eyelid blepharoplasty is helpful... more
Brian Maloney, MD

Atlanta Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Radiofrequency Nerve Relaxation referred to as No-Tox is an alternative

Botulinum Toxins such as Botox and Dysport work by stopping nerve transmission signals to the muscles which produce frowning and wrinkles.  In eyelid surgery and brow lift surgery, methods are used to interrupt the nerve transmission and produce similar results.  Our clinic uses a minimally invasive procedure to soften the wrinkles of the entire forehead region by  applying a small needle to weaken the nerve transmission to the muscles.   This procedure lasts between... more
James Newman, MD

Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Botox wrinkle reduction alternatives

Dysport is an alternative to Botox which does basically the same thing. It does require injections like Botox so if your not wanting injections, this will not fit your need. But, you can go to the Botox main website and see the Botox Treatment Visualizer to get an idea how you might look with Botox.
Fernando G. Serra, MD

Clermont Plastic Surgeon
+2

Botox and its alternatives

Hi there- Botox and Dysport, the newest FDA approved neurotoxin, are both effective ways to reduce the muscle movement and therefore smooth the wrinkle that is present or prevent further wrinkling. Botox has been FDA approved since the early 90's and is the most common cosmetic procedure performed worldwide. It has a 98% satisfaction rate. This statistic is reassuring because if there were significant associated risks it would not be used with the frequency that it is. Laser resurfacing is... more
Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon
+2

There is no substitute for Botox or Dysport

When it comes to wrinkles/lines that are created from muscle movement such as we see on the forehead and in the crow's feet area, there really is no substitute for Botox. Nothing else can relax the muscles that causing the problem. I hope my answer was helpful.
Steven E. Rasmussen, MD

Austin Dermatologist
+2

Botox cosmetic (the purified, injectable protein...

Botox cosmetic (the purified, injectable protein produced by the Allergan company) is the BEST (safest, simplest, longest lasting, least expensive, and most effective) treatment for dynamic wrinkles in the forehead, between the eyebrows (frown lines), and laterally around the eyes (crow's feet). There is absolutely no reason to fear Botox, as long as it is administered by a physician who you trust and who is experienced in its use. Wrinkles come from muscle movement and aging of the skin. ... more
John M. Roesler, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Nothing like Botox

There is really nothing like Botox. At the present time, there is no cream on the market that has the same type of effect or as long-lasting results as Botox. There are cosmetic fillers such as Radiesse and Juvéderm that are wonderful and get great results, but most of the time even cosmetic fillers work best when used in combination with Botox.
Henri P. Gaboriau, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

No better alternative to Botox

I know of no moisturizer, lotion, or potion that you can apply to your face that can be used as an alternative to Botox. Botox is a highly purified muscle paralytic that is selectively delivered into your facial muscles through a needle. The lotions simply cannot do this and aren’t absorbed through the skin so don’t waste your money!
Jennifer Walden, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox alternatives

Botox is a paralytic. It prevents the muscles from contracting by blocking the signal to contract at the level of the muscle. There are other brand names of botulism toxin A but they have the same effect. Botox is a safe effective and easy way to limit forehead wrinkles. The alternative to Botox for the treatment of forehead wrinkles include chemical peels which remove the top layer of skin off the wrinkles and therefore make them shallower. A forehead lift... more
Chad K. Wheeler, MD

Spokane Plastic Surgeon
+1

Best Botox Alternatives

Dysport, which has a similar molecular structure to Botox is considered to be an alternative. It works in much the same way, but keeping muscles in a relaxed state so that they not contribute to the development of wrinkles. Based on your question, though, it seems that you may want to also consider dermal fillers to minimize the appearance of wrinkles on the forehead. Instead of targeting the nerves and the muscles, dermal fillers like Juvederm and Radiesse will fill in the... more
Sanusi Umar, MD

Redondo Beach Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Botox Alternatives

The best alternatives would be other forms of Botulinum toxin such as dysport or xeomin. There is no proven cream or medication alternatives to Botox.
Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

www.drkrisreddy.com

+1

What are the Best Botox Alternatives?

Botox and/or Dysport are the best ways to deal with your forhead wrinkles. I do not believe there are any good alternatives to correct your wrinkles other than possibly skin care.
Robert Heck, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox alternatives

All the products which produce the same effect as Botox are forms of botulinum toxin. Other alternatives would include Thermage, for skin tightening, or the facial fillers. See a board certified plastic surgeon in consultation who can evaluate the wrinkling and make a personalized recommendation. If you have what patients like to call the "11s" between your eyes, filler may certainly be a reasonable, longer standing option.
Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Alternatives to Botox

Sadly, there are no creams or potions you can topically use to reduce the muscle motion causing wrinkles. Botox seems to be the best option. While there is also Dysport, Botox’s competitor, Botox currently seems to be the most frequently used. There are other options such as laser resurfacing, for example fractional CO2. Lasers may not completely eliminate but rather soften the look of the wrinkles for a more permanent approach.
Yael Halaas, MD

Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Dysport is a Botox alternative

This year a new rival solution was introduced to compete with Botox and is called Dysport. They work very similarly and both begin to show effect within the similar time frames from when they are injectd and when they begin to work. Otherwise, there are no other Botox alernatives. No other surgical, laser, or injectabe can accommplish what Botox (and Dysport) do.
Peter Goldman, MD

Los Angeles Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Botox Vs Dysport

Botox and Dysport are the only FDA approved neurotoxins available in the United States. They are virtually identical in the length of time they act. Very rarely do I find a patient that can tell the difference. They topical neurotoxins currently in clinaical trials work poorly and are much more expensive. We find that pain  of injections is greatly reduced by using 32 guage needles, ice and acupressure. This is the main objection in most of our patients
Michael Tomcik, MD

San Ramon Dermatologist
+1

Dysport is an alternative to Botox

Dysport is the only other approved injectable muscle paralyzer that works similar to Botox. Injectable fillers can "fill up" a wrinkle but the problem is the muscles of the forehead which contracts constantly creating the wrinkles.
Robert E. Zaworski, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Alternatives to Botox

If you mean you'd like an alternative to an injectable neurotoxin, then the answer is No. The creams really don't work very well--studies have shown they have about 30% of the efficacy of the injectable. There are other brands of injectable toxins such as Dysport and Puretox but they need to be injected with a needle just like Botox and work and cost similarly so don't see that there's any real difference.
M. Christine Lee, MD

Walnut Creek Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Alternatives to Botox Montreal

The best treatment for what are called "active" forehead lines, i.e. lines that are mainly present when actively raising the eyebrows,  are the neurotoxins. These are substances which block the muscles that cause these lines. The best known of these neurotoxins is Botox. In my clinic in Montreal Botox is the only neurotoxin I use as it is the only one approved for cosmetic uses in Canada. Dysport, another neurotoxin, is not yet available and Xeomin, the neurotoxin that most... more
Arie Benchetrit, MD

Montreal Plastic Surgeon
+1

Unfortunately, Botox or an equivelent is the best answer for forehead wrinkles

Even a forehead lift usually does not do a lot long term for forehead wrinkles.  The lift is good at elevating the brows, but does not do well for the lines. I would continue or start Botox ( or equivelent ) if you are looking for improvement. Dr. Mayl Fort lauderdale
Nathan Mayl, MD

Fort Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon
+1

Alternatives to Botox?

Are there alternatives to Botox?   To answer this question in a word, "NO!"   Botox, which is a particular brand of botulinim toxin (the other brand is Dysport), has no equivalent.  No creams or other special cures will replicate the action of botulinum, which works by decreasing the contraction of the muscles that cause wrinkles.  Peels (both laser and chemical) and surgery are effective at treating some of the aging changes, but I would assume that... more
P. Daniel Ward, MD

Salt Lake City Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Alternative to Botox

An alternative to Botox here in the U.S. is Dysport. Like Botox, it is derived from the botulinum toxin. They both have similar effects, although I have noticed that the effect from Dysport seems to occur a bit sooner. There is still some debate over which product lasts longer. Other products are sure to be on the horizon.
Ryan Greene, MD, PhD

Fort Lauderdale Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox - alternatives

The other main FDA-approved competitor to Botox Cosmetic is Dysport.  Both work well for "dynamic" wrinkles- those caused by expression, especially in the forehead, "crow's feet" and glabella.  Their safety profiles are excellent, with few side effects for most people.
Thomas Fiala, MD

Altamonte Springs Plastic Surgeon
+1

Are there Botox alternatives?

The only available alternatives to Botox that help with wrinkles as well as Botox does are other botulinum toxins, Dysport and Xeomin. There are a number of over the counter cosmetic preparations that claim they are as good as Botox at reducing wrinkles. Those claims are not true.  At the present there is no preparation on the market that can be used on the surface of the skin that will interrupt the signal that nerves send to muscles to contract, which is how Botox and other... more
Emily Altman, MD

Short Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Best Botox Alternatives

Hi, The best alternative to Botox on the market currently is Dysport which is made by Medicis and works faster.  Another competitor is called Xeomin made by Merz Pharmaceuticals which owns Radiesse and is close to FDA approval.  Their is also a form of topical Botox which is undergoing FDA trials and is owned by Revance Pharmaceuticals.
Grace Liu, MD

Newport Beach Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Dysport Works Like Botox

Dysport was FDA approved in the first part of 2010.  Dysport is botulinum toxin type A, the same as Botox.  There are some differences in the exact protein complex but for the most part, the two products are interchangable.  Dysport does take affect quicker (usually within 24 hours instead of 3 days).  Both products are similar in duration of affect.  Dysport is a little less expensive than Botox.  Dysport is measured differently than Botox so you can not... more
Louis W. Apostolakis, MD

Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.dr-apo.com

+1

Dysport and Xeomin are coming!

The alternative to Botox is Dysport. This is a sill pretty new product directly competing with Botox. Many plastic surgeons were very excited about this addition of new product on the market. For years Botox was the only choice for temporary active wrinkle reduction. Healthy competition is always a good thing! However it is important to remember Botox has over 10 years of experience behind it and has proven to be very safe and effective over the years. There is also a new product -Xeomin... more
Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Dysport is the alternative to Botox in US

Dysport was recently FDA approved for use in the US. It works similarly to Botox. It is being marketed aggressively and is priced slightly cheaper than Botox. My anecdotal experience is that Dysport "diffuses" more in the forehead weakening a wider area of the forehead muscle than Botox. Because of this I use Botox in the forehead but find that both are effective for all other areas of the face.
Stephen Weber, MD

Lone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox alternative

In the US, BOTOX is manufactured by Allergan, Inc. for both therapeutic and cosmetic use. Dysport, a therapeutic formulation of the type A toxin developed and manufactured in Ireland, is licensed for the treatment of focal dystonias and certain cosmetic uses in the US and worldwide. Lanzhou Institute (China) manufactures a BTX-A product, producing 50U and 100U type A toxin Neuronox, a BTX-A product, was introduced by Medy-Tox Inc. of South Korea, in 2009. The only thing... more
Chris Thiagarajah, MD

Washington DC Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Botox alternatives

Here in the United States, the only other FDA approved botox alternative is Dysport, which works with a similar mechanism.  Expect other botox like agents to be made available soon.
Anil R. Shah, MD

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Dysport for now but soon another alternative

Dysport is the only other neurotoxin other than Botox that has been FDA approved, but you can expect a product called Xeomin to be out fairly soon. Dysport has the same contraindications as Botox and in addition, an allergy to cow's milk protein is also included.
Harrison C. Putman III, MD

Peoria Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.specialface.com

+1

Wrinkles on forehead

If  you do not want botox to treat the forehead, then realise you are eliminating the number one choice for this treatment as nothing works as well except for a surgical brow lift, which may leave you permanently numb in the forward part of the scalp, unless an endoscopic browlift is done.  The surgical lift is not permanent and has some risk that Botox does not but if you are very happy with the result, then you don't have to continue to have botox injected every four to five... more
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Botox Alternatives

Dysport is the only available FDA approved alternative to Botox currently available. Dysport is used in a very similar fashion as Botox to treat unwanted lines and creases in the forehead and around the eyes.
John M. Hilinski, MD

San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Alternatives for Botox

There isn't any lotion or creams that work like Botox. The only alternative available is Dysport. Dysport is FDA approved neurotoxin that is also injected into the muscles to improve the look of moderate to severe frown lines.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox alternatives

The only comparable Botox alternative is Dysport. Dysport is also a Botulinum type A. I do not believe that there are any other alternative with equal effect.
Carlos Wolf, MD

Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Limited alternatives to Botox

Since Dysport has the same active molecule as Botox, that isn't really an alternative in the sense that you are asking. But nothing else really works the way these products do, providing a quick, reliable, and safe treatment for wrinkles caused by hyperactive muscles of expression. For the muscle that causes the vertical lines between the eyebrows, there is the option of surgical removal with a browlift but that is only something to consider if you need a browlift too. Since you have... more
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox or Dysport alternatives

Both Botox and Dysport relax muscles by blunting nerve stimulation for these muscles to contract involuntary. As far as wrinkles caused by excessive muscle contraction on forehead, between eyebrows and crows feet, there is really no good alternative. There may be less need for botulinum toxin if adequate volume is restored in temple and eyebrow areas via fillers by a trained board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
William Ting, MD

Bay Area Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Botox or Dysport

Botox or dysport are the best solutions for simple fine lines of the forehead. A brow lift surgery will also do the job for individuals that need a browlift.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox or Dysport

Why are you reluctant to try Botox or Dysport? Both medications are safe and effective for softening facial lines and wrinkles related to underlying facial muscle contraction. When injected by a qualified injector, you should head have a good result and a safe treatment experience. There are some significantly more invasive surgical procedures that can eliminate forehead lines -- brow lift with corrugator muscle disruption - it would make sense to try Botox or Dysport before embarking on a... more
Scott Sattler, MD

Bellevue Plastic Surgeon
+1

There are no good Botox alternatives

Dysport is a similar medication that is used in the same way (injections), so if you are reluctant to try Botox, you will probably not want to try Dysport either. What is stopping you from trying Botox? I've heard so many reasons over the years, and most often they come from lack of knowledge. Despite what seems to be a great deal of information about Botox, it is surprising how little some patients, and even some physicians who do not use it on a regular basis, know about it. Botox is a... more
Stella Desyatnikova, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox best for forehead wrinkles.

Hi. There is another brand available  (Dysport), and there is much less experience with this other product. So in the sense you mean, there is no alternative to Botox for forehead wrinkles.  It is safe if expertly done, and there is no down time, and it only hurts a little, and it takes 5 minutes.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox Alternative

Dysport is a new drug available in the United States as an alternative to Botox. It has been used in Europe for many years. It works very similar to Botox. It is unclear as to if there  is any advantage of one versus the other in terms of how long it takes to work or how long it lasts.
Jerome Potozkin, MD

Walnut Creek Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Alternatives to Botox

To treat wrinkles on the forehead and between the eyebrows that are caused by repetitive frowning and raising the brow, your only options right now are Botox or Dysport. These are both injectable treatments of a purified protein that relaxes the muscle so that it cannot make the wrinkle. There is nothing else available that relaxes muscles to smooth lines. In order to relax the muscle, you have to deliver the treatment directly to the muscle. If you have very fine lines on your forehead,... more
Jordana Gilman, MD

New York Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Dysport may be a more cost effective option to botox

Dysport may be a more cost effective option to botox. It is a type of botulinum toxin that has been recently approved for use in the glabellar region in the United States. It has been used in Europe with success and minimal side effects similar to Botox. It might be a less expensive alternative for you and your physician might offer some discounts to use this product in lieu of traditional Botox.
Scott Trimas, MD

Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox Injection Alternate Treatments

Botox injection is appropriate for overactive muscles around the eye and on the forehead. To minimize the need for Botox, one recommendation is to improve the quality of the skin through effective topical regimens, such as Retin A, Hydroquinone, and chemical peels.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Revaleskin, is a skin care line containing CoffeeBerry,...

Revaleskin, is a skin care line containing CoffeeBerry, one of the strongest natural antioxidants. It has been clinically proven to improve skin pigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, and some of the effects of photo-aging. Definitely worth the splurge!
Suzanne Friedler, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist

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