There’s no denying that Botox is the reigning champion of all neurotoxins. So much so that the brand name is even used synonymously to refer to the entire category, much like calling a tissue a Kleenex or a bandage a Band-Aid. But Botox isn’t the only neurotoxin on the market; Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau—all of which contain the same botulinum A toxin—each has its own subtle nuances. However, it’s the newest member of the club, Daxxify, that’s said to be truly unique. It behaves differently and represents a breakthrough in the category, says Dr. Jennifer Levine, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in New York City. Here, five of the key things that set Daxxify apart from its counterparts.
1. Daxxify contains a peptide that the other neurotoxins don’t
All the neurotoxins out there have the same amount of botulinum toxin A; where they differ is what else is in the mix. Botox, Dysport, and Jeuveau contain stabilizing proteins, although these proteins don’t play a role in their function because they dissociate from the core neurotoxin, says Dr. Levine. (Xeomin does not have any proteins, hence why it’s often referred to as the “naked” or “clean” neurotoxin.)
Daxxify is made with a peptide. (One that’s synthetic, unlike the animal- and human-derived substances in the others, making this product suitable for vegans.) “Not only does the peptide stay bound to the neurotoxin molecule, it’s also positively charged and attracted to the negatively charged neurosynaptic junction,” Dr. Levine explains. Why does that matter? The neurosynaptic junction is where the neurotoxin binds to the receptor that inhibits muscle contraction—aka what needs to happen in order for the injections to work. Having this peptide present is essentially like covering the botulinum toxin A with double-stick tape; more of it sticks to where it needs to be and stays there longer, says Dr. Levine. To that point…
2. Daxxify has a longer duration
This has been the big headline about Daxxify since it first hit the market. In clinical trials, it lasted for six months compared to the three to four months you get from other neurotoxins, says New York City board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marina Perdo, who was a part of these clinical trials. (Some participants even saw results that lasted for nine months.) That being said, it is worth mentioning that Daxxify was studied only in the glabella—the “elevens” lines in between the brows—and that this is currently the only FDA-approved treatment area. “Any neurotoxin tends to last longer in the glabella than in the forehead or crow’s-feet, so it will be interesting to see if Daxxify delivers that same six-month duration in these other areas,” Dr. Peredo points out. And because the product is still fairly new, how these long-lasting results *actually* translate in the real world remains to be seen. Both doctors we spoke with said that they haven’t been using it long enough to see its full duration.
The big question: If the wrinkle-smoothing results last longer, would any potential side effects, such as ptosis, last longer too? Dr. Peredo says this wasn’t the case in Daxxify’s clinicals, where the median duration of eyelid ptosis was 43 days and the rate of ptosis occurring was comparable to that of the other neurotoxins.
3. Daxxify kicks in faster
In clinical studies, Daxxify results were seen as early as one day post-treatment and typically within two days. This is notably faster than with the other neurotoxins, some of which can take up to two weeks to fully settle in. Dr. Levine says she has seen this since using Daxxify in her clinical practice, noting that patients say the onset of action is both faster—sometimes claiming to see effects within hours—and that there’s a smoother uptake.
Alix Tunell, RealSelf executive editor, recently got Daxxify from Dr. Levine and says she noticed the full line-smoothing effect she normally sees from Botox after seven days by day three post-Daxxify. “I got the same anti-wrinkle result, but I feel like I look more natural and have more movement in my face with Daxxify compared to the other neurotoxins,” she says.
4. Daxxify may offer more of a brow lift
Daxxify may deliver a subtle brow-lifting effect… even when injected only into the glabella. A study in Aesthetic Surgery Journal found that patients experienced mild eyebrow elevation after it was injected into the glabellar lines. Achieving a brow lift with neurotoxin is very possible, but it typically has to be injected into the forehead itself. Dr. Peredo says she’s seen this type of lifting effect in her patients and attributes it to the way Daxxify binds to the receptors and relaxes the depressor muscles in the glabellar area, ultimately allowing the frontalis (the front forehead muscle) to lift. Dr. Levine, however, notes that the effects are all dependent on the pattern and location of injection.
5. Daxxify is more expensive
Both dermatologists we spoke with say Daxxify costs 1.5–2 times as much as other neurotoxins. (RealSelf members cite an average cost of $1,845.)
That being said, if you need injections only twice per year instead of three to four times, the final price tag may come out to be about the same.
