Neuromodulators are a class of injectable treatments that relax the muscles of the face to soften the appearance of wrinkles. The most popular and well-established of these is BOTOX® Cosmetic, although it is far from the only option available.
If you find yourself debating “Dysport® vs. BOTOX®” or “Xeomin® vs. BOTOX®” and don’t know where to begin, the following guide can help you determine which neuromodulator is right for you.
Are There Different Types of Botox?
It depends on what you mean by “botox”. Neuromodulators are made from different strains of botulinum toxin A, a muscle-weakening protein derived from bacteria. “Botox brands” in this sense can encompass treatments like Dysport and Xeomin in addition to the brand-name injection produced by Allergan.
The official BOTOX® product comes in two varieties. The one that most people are familiar with is BOTOX® Cosmetic, which is used to enhance the appearance of wrinkles and address issues such as a gummy smile or sagging brows.
The other is a medically prescribed version that treats conditions including hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), migraines, eye spasms, and more.
View this post on Instagram
What Is the Best Botox Brand for Me?
Patients at Commonwealth Plastic Surgery & SōL Retreat have the benefit of choosing between three neuromodulator injectables:
BOTOX®
Backed by 30+ years of rigorous testing and use, BOTOX® is a highly safe and trusted treatment. It boasts FDA approval for widespread cosmetic use on the face, including for the treatment of:
- Lateral canthal lines (the “crow’s feet” that extend from the outer corners of the eyes)
- Glabellar lines (the 11-shaped frown or worry lines between the eyebrows)
- Forehead wrinkles
In the hands of an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Nimtz, BOTOX® can also be safely used “off-label” to address:
- Chin dimples or orange peel-textured skin
- Sagging brows
- “Bunny lines” that form when you scrunch your nose
- Vertical neck lines (platysmal bands)
- An overdeveloped masseter (jaw muscle)
BOTOX® treatments take up to 5 days for the muscles to relax and improvements to become visible. On average, patients can enjoy smoother, more youthful-looking skin for 3 to 4 months.
Curious about what else BOTOX® can treat or how many units you may need? Find out more in our related blog post.
Dysport
A neuromodulator with a less concentrated formula than BOTOX®, Dysport has a couple of slight differences from its predecessor. Results are visible sooner (usually within 72 hours), and it comes at a lower per-unit price. Since Dysport spreads more than BOTOX, it is well suited for treating larger muscle groups, such as the forehead, jawline, and neck. However, BOTOX may be better for smaller areas requiring more precision.
Dysport is FDA-approved to treat glabellar lines, although it can also target similar areas to BOTOX® in its off-label applications.
Xeomin
Our final neuromodulator, Xeomin, is additive-free and is approved by the FDA for use on glabellar lines. It generally produces visible improvements within 4 days and lasts up to 4 months before a maintenance treatment is needed.
Xeomin can also be used off-label to treat crow’s feet and horizontal forehead wrinkles. Like Dysport and BOTOX® before it, Xeomin has medical applications as well. In addition to treating cervical dystonia (painful, involuntary neck movements) and eye spasms, it is also used to relieve chronic drooling in children and adults.
Get Started
Neuromodulators come in different formulations, but all follow the same basic principle of smoothing wrinkles by stopping the muscles from contracting. As these dynamic expression lines ease, a more rested, calm, and youthful appearance emerges.
If you are ready to learn more about our injectable treatments, please request a consultation or call us at (859) 277-9435.
Leave a Reply