Botox, Dysport, Xeomin & Daxxify
Neuromodulators soften the lines that come from expression, the forehead, the frown between the brows, the crow’s feet at the outer eye, without freezing the face. Dr. Boxrud offers all four FDA-approved products and chooses between them based on the area treated and your individual response.
Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Daxxify are all FDA-approved botulinum toxin type A neuromodulators. They relax specific small muscles of facial expression. Used precisely, they soften or eliminate the lines those muscles create at rest, the horizontal forehead lines, the vertical 11 lines between the brows, and the crow’s feet at the outer corner of the eye, without changing how the rest of the face moves.
The four products are not interchangeable. They differ in formulation, onset, spread, and duration. Botox is the original and most studied. Dysport tends to act slightly faster and can spread more, which is useful in broader areas like the forehead. Xeomin is a “naked” toxin without the surrounding accessory proteins, which some patients prefer if they have built resistance to other formulations. Daxxify is the newest, and currently the longest-lasting, with effect commonly reported at approximately six months.
The result depends almost entirely on placement and dose. The same product, injected an inch in the wrong direction or in too high a unit, produces a frozen forehead, a heavy brow, or a hollowed temple.
When patients come in dissatisfied with prior results, the consultation begins with a careful evaluation of what the previous dosing was doing, and how a more conservative, anatomic approach would differ.
- Visit
- 15 to 30 minutes.
- Anesthesia
- None required; topical numbing available.
- Onset
- Begins in 2 to 5 days depending on product; full result by 14 days.
- Duration
- 3 to 4 months for Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin; approximately 6 months for Daxxify.
- Downtime
- None. Light bruising is possible; makeup the same day.
Which neuromodulator is best for me?
It depends on the area treated and your individual response. For the forehead, Dysport’s broader diffusion can be an advantage. For precise placement near the brow or in the crow’s feet, Botox or Xeomin are often the right tools. For patients who want fewer visits per year, Daxxify’s six-month duration is appealing. The decision is made together at consultation.
How quickly will I see results?
Dysport tends to begin acting within 2 to 3 days. Botox, Xeomin, and Daxxify typically begin within 3 to 5 days. The full effect of any neuromodulator is best assessed at 14 days, which is when fine-tuning, if needed, is done.
Will my face look frozen?
Not when dosing is conservative and placement is anatomic. Dr. Boxrud’s approach is calibrated to soften the lines while preserving natural expression. Patients should look rested, not frozen.
Can I switch between products?
Yes. Many patients use one product on one area and another on a different area in the same visit, or rotate over time. The conversion is not a simple unit-for-unit swap; Dr. Boxrud calculates equivalent dosing for each product.
Is there any downtime?
No real downtime. Tiny bruises at injection sites are possible and resolve in a few days. Makeup can be applied the same day. Strenuous exercise and lying flat are typically avoided for the first 4 hours.