{"id":10639,"date":"2020-10-26T11:16:52","date_gmt":"2020-10-26T18:16:52","guid":{"rendered":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/?p=10639"},"modified":"2023-10-11T14:51:35","modified_gmt":"2023-10-11T21:51:35","slug":"neurotoxins-botox-dysport-xeomin-jeuveau","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/neurotoxins-botox-dysport-xeomin-jeuveau","title":{"rendered":"Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, or Jeuveau: What’s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 1987, husband-and-wife medical team Alastair and Jean Carruthers helped bring Botox<\/a> to the forefront after Jean, an ophthalmologist, discovered that botulinum toxin didn’t just help a patient’s eye spasms but also smoothed out her wrinkles. Fast forward to more than 30 years later: Botox has become one of the most requested cosmetic treatments, and its popularity only continues to grow. But while Botox is the most famous of these types of injectables, there are several other injections available, such as Xeomin<\/a>, Dysport<\/a> and Jeuveau<\/a>, <\/strong>each with its own small differences. Understanding what those are can help people determine which is the best option for them.<\/p>

“Botox, Xeomin, Dysport and Jeuveau are different types of neurotoxins that block the release of neurotransmitters from the junction between nerves and muscles,” explains Dr. Elliot Hirsch<\/a>, a Sherman Oaks, California, plastic surgeon. “The result of this is that the muscles cannot contract and, instead, become temporarily paralyzed. When this is injected into the face, the visible effect is a smoothing of wrinkles.”<\/p>

Related: I Put Botox in Half my Forehead and Jeuveau in the Other … and Here’s My Review<\/a><\/em><\/p>

Just as Botox was originally developed for spasms, Dr. Hirsch says that there are also therapeutic doses for all these neurotoxins beyond their cosmetic indications. “They are effective in relieving congenital torticollis [a muscular condition in which an infant’s neck is twisted] due to muscle spasms,” Dr. Hirsch explains, adding that they are also useful in the prevention of migraines and, most recently, in treating TMJ dysfunction<\/a>. “[The four neurotoxin brands] all differ in their chemical structure, but the end result is effectively the same for each of them,” he says.<\/p>

Here, learn more about the specifics of all the neurotoxins considered to be alternatives to Botox.<\/p>

Botox<\/strong><\/h2>

Point of differentiation: <\/strong>The OG <\/h3>

Because it was the first of its kind to hit the market, Botox, or onabotulinumtoxinA, is a household name at this point. Botox is FDA-approved to treat moderate to severe lines and wrinkles between the eyebrows (the “11s”) and on the forehead<\/a> as well as crow’s feet. Many doctors also commonly use Botox off label, to treat excessive sweating<\/a>, migraines<\/a> and jaw clenching. Botox, which is prepared from a powder into a liquid, is kept in a freezer before mixing, since the purified proteins attached to the toxins must be stored at a specific cold temperature. These proteins are believed to protect<\/a> the toxin. There is also some belief that the presence of these proteins may have an effect on the stability of the product or the duration of its effects, but research<\/a> points to it not making a difference compared to nonprotein toxins. <\/p>

According to Dr. Gretchen Frieling<\/a>, a Boston board-certified dermatopathologist, antibodies can potentially form against these proteins, so there’s a risk that Botox will stop working for the patient. However, true Botox resistance isn’t common: according to clinical trials<\/a> conducted by Botox’s manufacturer, Allergan, only 1.5% of patients developed neutralizing antibodies.<\/p>

How long does Botox last?<\/h3>

Patients can expect to see results within 10 to 14 days after treatment that can last anywhere from two to five months. Dr. Frieling also says that there’s a small chance some wrinkles may go away completely. One 2014 study<\/a> showed that Botox increased elasticity of the skin—which means, in theory, it may change the structure of the skin and prevent new wrinkles from forming or old ones from coming back.<\/p>

How much does Botox cost?<\/h3>

Cost varies between providers but is generally determined per unit and can range from $10 to $20.<\/p>

Interested in Botox?<\/small><\/div>Find Doctors Near You<\/a><\/div>

Related:<\/em> 10 Botox Myths, Debunked<\/a><\/em><\/p>

Dysport<\/strong> vs. Botox<\/strong><\/h2>

Point of differentiation: <\/strong>Spreads faster <\/h3>

What is Dysport?<\/h3>

Dysport<\/a>, known as abobotulinumtoxinA, is approved by the FDA to treat cervical dystonia (a painful condition involving involuntary spasms of the neck muscles), limb spasticity and, for cosmetic purposes, frown lines. “It’s recommended for people with moderate or severe frown lines,” says Dr. Frieling. Dysport has similarities to Botox, such as requiring refrigeration due to the presence of proteins. While the proteins in Dysport are smaller than those in Botox, Dr. Frieling says that it still holds the risk of antibody formation and eventual resistance.<\/p>

One difference between Dysport and Botox is its molecular weight. Dysport’s proteins have a lower molecular mass<\/a>, resulting in a greater chance of diffusion. Dysport’s higher diffusion rate<\/a> allows it to spread faster and to a larger coverage area, so it’s best for the forehead, while Botox’s lower diffusion rate makes it better for smaller wrinkles. <\/p>

How long does Dysport last?<\/h3>

It varies from patient to patient, but anecdotal evidence suggests Dysport may kick in a few days sooner than Botox and last longer. Recent studies<\/a> by Galderma, the makers of Dysport, have shown that the neurotoxin may last up to five months and that 95% of 120 individuals reported<\/a> “high satisfaction” with just two treatments per year.  “Patients report that Dysport tends to feel ‘less tight’ and slightly more ‘flexible’ than Botox. This is where personal preference comes in,” Dr. Frieling says.<\/p>

How much does Dysport cost?<\/h3>

Because Dysport is more diluted than Botox, it initially appears to be cheaper (Dysport costs around $4 to $6 per unit)—but that also means more of it is needed, so the price for the treatment<\/a> ends up being comparable to that of Botox.<\/p>

Interested in Dysport?<\/small><\/div>Find Doctors Near You<\/a><\/div>

Related: 8 Dermatologists Say These Are Must-Dos Before Any Injectables Appointment<\/a><\/em><\/p>

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