How Does Daxxify™ Compare to BOTOX®?

Patients who want to soften expression wrinkles have several strategies to try, including two highly effective wrinkle-relaxing options: BOTOX® and Daxxify™. The St. Louis-based West County Plastic Surgeons of Washington University team believes that both of these options work well for restoring a softer, more youthful look.

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Terry Myckatyn explains: “Both treatments are neuromodulators, which are injectable neurotoxins that limit the range of motion at the injection site to temporarily reduce fine lines and wrinkles. They both contain botulinum toxin as their active ingredient and work the same way to soften wrinkles. However, there are some minor differences between them that may make some patients prefer one over the other.”

Daxxify™ is a relatively new, promising cosmetic treatment that is gaining popularity as an alternative to BOTOX®. While BOTOX® has been the go-to cosmetic treatment for wrinkles and fine lines for many years, Daxxify™ is offering a potentially longer-lasting solution to these common cosmetic concerns. That doesn’t necessarily mean one is better than the other.

Here’s what you should know about these procedures.

How Do Expression Wrinkles Develop?

Before we delve into how these two types of neuromodulators work, it’s first necessary to explain how expression wrinkles—also known as dynamic wrinkles— develop in the first place. Expression wrinkles are caused by repeated facial expressions and movements over time. These wrinkles are typically found in areas of the face that are most expressive, such as the forehead, around the eyes (crow's feet), and around the mouth (smile lines).

While expression wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process, there are steps that can be taken to reduce their appearance. These include protecting the skin from sun damage, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine. There are also cosmetic treatments available. Daxxify™ and BOTOX® are designed to treat these wrinkles.

BOTOX®

BOTOX® is a neurotoxin injected into the muscles responsible for causing wrinkles. By blocking nerve signals to these muscles, BOTOX® effectively keeps them still, preventing the muscles from contracting and causing wrinkles to appear. This injectable is approved to treat moderate to severe treat crow's feet, frown lines, and forehead wrinkles.

Daxxify™

Daxxify™, known as daxibotulinumtoxinA-lanm, is approved for correcting glabellar lines (frown lines) between the brows. This injectable is different from all other types of botulinum toxin injectables for wrinkles on the market. The main difference is that it is the first and only neuromodulator with a peptide enhanced formula. One of the main benefits of Daxxify™ is that it is a more natural option compared to others. BOTOX® contains human albumin, which is a protein component of human blood. In contrast, Daxxify™ uses non-animal-derived ingredients that are less likely to cause adverse reactions. Since it does not contain human albumin or any other animal-based components, it’s appropriate for vegans.

Another advantage of Daxxify™ is its potential for longer-lasting results. While BOTOX® typically lasts for three to four months, the results from Daxxify™ can last for up to six to nine months, depending on the individual's skin type and the severity of their wrinkles.

Daxxify™ uses peptide exchange technology instead of human serum albumin to transfer the toxin to nerve cells and improve absorption, so there is a more stable attachment to the neurotransmitter. This makes Daxxify™ an ideal solution for patients looking to achieve lasting results without the need for frequent touch-ups. However, since the results fade slightly faster with other options, BOTOX® may be the preferred choice for patients who are trying neuromodulators for the first time and want to see if they like their results long-term.

Which Option Is Better?

Neither treatment is superior to the other. Comparing neuromodulators is subjective, since each people will have their own preferences and sensitivities to certain ingredients. Your goals will dictate which cosmetic treatment you should consider. Some individuals are happy with the results from their current neuromodulator, while others who want to try a longer-lasting option might want to try switching to Daxxify™.

Want to learn more about how BOTOX® compares to Daxxify™? St. Louis’ West County Plastic Surgeons of Washington University will explain more. Call (314) 996-8800 or submit a contact form to request a consultation.