These days, injectables and other cosmetic procedures aren’t considered so taboo anymore. What was once done in secret behind closed doors is now out in the open. More and more people are being honest about getting a little work done.
Celebrities are owning up to going under the knife or needle, and people are posting “before and after” pics on social media. Even Botox parties are a thing, with folks inviting professionals into their homes to dish out injectables to attendees.
Out of all the cosmetic procedures out there, injectables like Botox for fighting fine lines and wrinkles are some of the most popular. They are quick, relatively pain-free, and there is zero downtime. But there is actually a new one on the market, and it might beat Botox.
About Botox and All the Other Neurotoxin Injectables Available
Most people are at least familiar with neuromodulators, which are the wrinkle-relaxing injections of botulinum toxin. You likely just know it as Botox, which is actually the brand name of the first neurotoxin injectable to hit the market. It also reigns supreme, making up for something like 70% of all botulinum toxin injectable treatments.
Related: Consider These Eleven Things Before Getting Botox
There are also other popular brands now, like Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau. Each one of these is a little different from the others, but they’re pretty closely related.
For instance, Dysport is less expensive than Botox, but it is also more diluted than Botox. It would require more Dysport to achieve the same results. At the same time, some people have experienced quicker results with Dysport.
Xeomin is another option. This one is sometimes called the “naked injectable,” because it has been formulated to be purely botulinum Type A. It doesn’t contain some of the other proteins that Botox does, which reduces the chances of allergic reactions.
Jeuveau is a relatively new neuromodulator. This one was just approved by the FDA in 2019, about 17 years after Botox. This one also produces quicker results like Dysport, and has largely been marketed as a way for younger people – aka us millennials – to stop the early signs of aging. Despite the marketing, anyone of any age can use it. They claim that the Hi-Pure technology includes added steps to remove dangerous proteins and to aid with absorption.
How Botulinum Toxin Injectable Treatments Work
These are all used to treat fine lines and wrinkles, but they are not permanent. It is something that has to be done every few months after the effects wear off. These typically last three or four months, but can last up to six months for some people. It depends on if you have a fast or slow metabolism, if you exercise frequently, or if you are pretty expressive with your face.
Botox and other neurotoxin injectables don’t actually erase wrinkles, though they do kind of smooth fine lines out a bit. These treatments are actually the most effective at preventing future wrinkles. It works by “freezing” the facial muscles underneath. When the muscles can’t contract, all those facial movements that cause fine lines and wrinkles never happen to begin with. This prevents further deepening of existing lines and prevents future lines from developing.
Related: The Top Ten Facelift Alternatives, According to Beauty Experts
Botox and other neurotoxin injectables will also often leave patients with visibly smoother skin, though this isn’t always true for everyone. Many people notice a visible difference. This is likely just due to the way neuromodulators relax the tissue under the skin.
What Makes Daxxify Different From Other Treatments?
Okay, but let’s get back to that new one I mentioned above. It is called Daxxify, and the FDA just recently approved it in the last few months. What makes this one different from the existing wrinkle-fighting injectables already out there? Well, the effects of Daxxify might last twice as long as similar products on the market.
Yeah, I said twice as long. That means half as many visits to pay for, and half as many needles. That’s probably why dermatologists see this as the first major competitor to Botox in decades.
Daxxify works similarly to Botox. They are both neuromodulators that work by injecting a tiny bit of botulinum toxin into the underlying muscle. It relaxes and “freezes’ facial muscles that cause fine lines and wrinkles.
However, Daxxify stands out against other injectables like Botox, because it lasts a lot longer. When compared to the three to five months of results you see with Botox and others, results with Daxxify last six to nine months. This would mean only two treatments per year, versus going in four times a year.
That longevity of effectiveness is due to its peptide makeup. Daxxify is the first botulinum toxin injectable treatment stabilized with peptide technology. It uses a proprietary PepTide Exchange Technology. Peptides help make Daxxify last longer than other neuromodulators, and it also means that it can be stored at room temperature.
The use of peptides has another benefit, too. Unlike other similar treatments, that means that this is also the first of its kind to be free of both human or animal-based components. For those of you who didn’t know, Botox is made with human serum albumin, a protein found in human blood plasma. You learn something new every day, right?
What to Expect from Daxxify, Botox, and Other Neurotoxin Injectables
Just like with other similar treatments, you can expect a really quick and relatively pain-free procedure. The amount of time it takes is dependent on how many syringes you need. The more areas you treat, the longer it takes. But in general, you are probably looking at around 15 minutes.
If you have never had one of these treatments before, the idea of needles in your face might seem a little scary. I can tell you from personal experience that it’s virtually painless. The needles used are teeny tiny, like the ones used for insulin shots. I didn’t hardly notice at all, and even asked “that’s it?” when she finished. I was given a stress ball to squeeze (to distract me from the feeling of the needle) and she gave me ice packs beforehand to help slightly numb the area.
There isn’t any downtime. You should avoid touching your face where you had injections, and you’ll likely be advised not to lay down or bend over for the first few hours after. These can lead to bruising at the injection site.
Expect to see results in five to seven days, or even as quickly as two to three with certain treatments. Those results should last for a few months until the neuromodulator is metabolized by the body.
How to Find Daxxify
Okay, so don’t go calling up your local med spa just yet. I mean, you can – just not to get Daxxify. At least, not yet.
Daxxify was approved by the FDA in September, but that doesn’t mean that it is available to consumers yet. It actually takes some time for a treatment to become widely available after it has been cleared. Most dermatologists are expecting to see this new injectable become widely available in the United States sometime in 2023.
The company that makes Daxxify, Revance Therapeutics Inc., is in the process of launching the new treatment. They will have to drop a training and education program for doctors first, followed by a launch to select doctors around the country.
As for cost, Revance hasn’t released any of that information, either. It’s worth noting that the biotech company keeps dropping the word “luxury” in reference to Daxxify. If it is indeed branded as a luxury treatment, we can expect it to be relatively expensive in comparison to other botulinum toxin injectable treatments. Sure, you only need half the amount of treatments. But it won’t save you any money if it costs significantly more than its competitors.
Of course, this is all speculation. Exact cost info hasn’t been revealed, and we won’t know what the price point is looking like until later.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Daxxify?
Like any other treatment, it’s not a “one size fits all” kind of deal. While Daxxify might be a good option for some, it might not be best for you. That’s why it’s always best to consult with your doc.
In general, Daxxify is probably best for people who have already tried other botulinum toxin injectable treatments. And when I say “already tried,” I mean folks that have an established relationship with their doctor and are already happy with an injection pattern.
This particular product lasts longer, which is great news for anyone looking to hit the med spa a little less often. But that longer effectiveness also means it’s not best for your first treatment. Even though neuromodulators are technically temporary, these kinds of treatments aren’t reversible. You have to wait for them to wear off. And because Daxxify is longer-lasting, that means you’d have to wait a lot longer for the effects to go away.
