Botox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin®: What are the Differences?

The FDA approved the first botulinum toxin product for aesthetic use in 2002. Since then, Botox® has become one of the most popular aesthetic treatments in the world. Dysport® and Xeomin® have been added to the available tools for fighting signs of aging. Each of these three products has unique benefits that will help your injection specialist choose the best one for you.

What are Botox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin®?

Botox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin® have a lot in common. All three of these products use a purified version of botulinum toxin. Produced by bacteria, this compound acts on nerves and muscles to temporarily stop muscle contractions.

While the three products work in the same fundamental way, they all use modified versions of botulinum toxin that give them slightly different properties. All three can smooth lines and wrinkles caused by facial expressions, including smile and frown lines. Some also have medical uses, such as treating muscle spasms.

How Do Botox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin® Work?

All three products use the same active ingredient: botulinum toxin. Each one uses different proteins and other components, giving them different properties. They work by targeting the facial muscles that cause your lines and wrinkles.

By acting on the facial nerves, neuromodulators interfere with signals from the nerve to the muscle. As a result, the muscle can relax, and lines and wrinkles disappear. Botox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin® all have the same basic anti-aging properties, but their differences can affect where they are used and how long they last.

Botox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin®: What are the Differences?

While these three products have many things in common, their differences will help your injection specialist decide which one to use for your lines and wrinkles. Areas of difference include where each product is used, how long it takes to work, and how long it lasts.

Botox®

Approved for use on forehead lines, lines between the brows, and crow’s feet
Also approved for many medical uses, including migraines and excessive sweating
Full results in 10 to 14 days
Lasts three to five months
Uses several proteins to stabilize the toxin
Must be refrigerated

Dysport®

Most often used to treat glabellar lines (lines between the brows or the 11s)
Spreads out more than Botox® for a natural look
Full results within 3 to 5 days
Lasts three to five months
Uses smaller proteins than Botox®
Must be refrigerated

Xeomin®

Used for facial lines, wrinkles, and muscle spasms in the eye area
May work best for people who have become resistant to Botox® or Dysport®
Full results in three to five days
Lasts three to five months
Uses no accessory proteins for less risk of developing resistance
No need for refrigeration

How Much Do Botox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin® Cost?

Costs for these products are similar and based on the same factors. Botox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin® are typically priced by unit. The cost per unit and the overall cost will vary according to:

Your location
Your provider
The number of units needed
The areas being treated

How many units you need will depend on the results you want to achieve, the treatment areas, and the severity of your lines and wrinkles. The number of units required differs for each product, but the total cost of treatment will usually be comparable.

Do I Need Botox® or Dermal Fillers?

If you have considered anti-aging injectables, you may have heard of Botox® and other botulinum toxin products. You may also have heard about dermal fillers. Both can treat lines and wrinkles for a more youthful appearance. Dermal fillers work better on lines that develop from skin laxity, especially in areas like the nasolabial folds. Botox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin® work best on dynamic wrinkles caused by muscle movement.

Is There Any Downtime With Botox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin®?

All three products are FDA approved for safety. You might notice some small spots of bruising or sensitivity in the injection area that lasts a day or two. You should avoid rubbing your face for six hours after treatment to prevent the product from moving around. You can return to work and other activities immediately after treatment. Injections typically take 15 to 30 minutes, and we offer numbing cream to ensure your comfort.

Am I a Good Candidate for Botox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin®?

You are most likely a good candidate for Botox®, Dysport®, or Xeomin® if you want to treat expression lines and wrinkles. We recommend these products to many people looking for a non-surgical anti-aging solution. You may not be a good candidate if you have an infection or active skin condition in the treatment area, or certain neuromuscular conditions.

Take the Next Step – Request a Consultation

Want to learn more about Botox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin®? Schedule your consultation or by calling Specialty Aesthetic Surgery at (212) 737-8700. We look forward to working with you!

Specialty Aesthetic Surgery serves the greater NYC metro area.

About our Surgeons

Bruce Moskowitz is an experienced and board-certified oculoplastic surgeon. His practice encompasses all areas of oculoplastic cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. He has a well-known reputation for revision surgery, and a large portion of his practice comes from other colleagues to revise sub-optimal outcomes.

Grigoriy Mashkevich is an experienced and double-board certified facial plastic surgeon. He belongs to a highly select group of surgeons with a focused specialization in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the nose, face, and neck.

*Individual results may vary.