Comparing Neurotoxins: Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin

How Do Neurotoxins Work?

Neurotoxins are a group of substances that destroy nerve tissue. They paralyze the ability of nerve cells (neurons) to transfer signals via the synapses. As a result of neurotoxins intoxication, a human being loses control of the body parts, and can even die. Neurotoxins are very dangerous for humans in high concentrations. The most frequently used neurotoxin is alcohol. However, in small doses neurotoxins can be used to help. For example, a microdose of neurotoxin can relax a muscle spasm and calm down the migraine. In the beauty industry, people use microdoses of botulotoxin. With age, people have got wrinkles on the moving parts of the face: near the external eye corner, between and above the eyebrows, and so on. Underskin injections of botulotoxin paralyze the facial muscles, they stop moving and the wrinkles get smoother, and the face looks younger.

What Do Winkle Relaxers Have in Common?

There are several popular wrinkle relaxer brands on the market. They arrive from various producers and different countries. However, they use the same active ingredient: botulotoxin. It means the active substance impacts the nerves and muscles in the same way. The main and side effects of all wrinkle relaxers are similar, with minor nuances.

Are All Neurotoxins Injected Similarly?

All BTX neurotoxins are injected similarly. Small doses (units) of a substance are injected with a fine, thin, and short, needle just into the under-skin muscles on your face. The healthcare specialist who does the injections should be very careful to avoid touching small blood vessels because it can result in bruising. It is not recommended to do all the face in one procedure because the total dose of botulotoxin can be dangerous. That is why the face is divided into zones, and it is recommended to do one zone after another with a break. One procedure can require up to 50 units (and injections). It depends on the zone and the brand: Dysport is more diluted and needs more units.

What Are the Different Botulinum Toxins?

All beauty injection drugs use the same neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. However, there are several forms of this toxin. Types A and B are allowed for commercial use, and various producers provide different types of them.

What is Botox – ONAbotulinumtoxin A

The most well-known and investigated form of botulotoxin is used by the brand Botox. ONAbotulinumtoxin A is used not only for aesthetic cosmetology but migraine and chronic pain treatment. The scientists also investigate the possibility of using ONAbotulinumtoxin A for overactive bladder treatment.

What is Dysport – ABObotulinumtoxin A

ABObotulinumtoxin A is another form of botulotoxin allowed for commercial use. This form has the same properties as ONAbotulinumtoxin A, but for commercial reasons Dysport uses it.

What is Xeomin – INCObotulinumtoxin A

INCObotulinumtoxin Ais proposed as an alternative to ONAbotulinumtoxin A (Botox) and ABObotulinumtoxin A (Dysport). This form of BTX has the same effectiveness and can be used for aesthetic purposes and for migraine and chronic pain treatment.

What is Jeuveau – PRAbotulinumtoxin A

PRAbotulinumtoxin A is a form of botulotoxin used by the Korean brand Jeuveau. Its main effect is a muscle relaxant like the above mentioned substances and can be used for the same treatments. So, the approved for commercial uses forms of botulotoxin are mostly similar in the main and side effects.

The Benefits and Lastings of Neurotoxins

Botox Treatment, Lasting, and Benefits

Botox was the first on the market in the segment of wrinkle relaxers. So, it is the most well-known and popular botulotoxin drug, especially in the United States. Botox is effective for deep wrinkles because it freezes small facial muscles from moving. The effect is visible after several days: for most cases a week is enough to see it. Botox is a great tool to reduce wrinkles quickly and effectively. The effect of Botox procedures can last from 3-4 months. Botox can also be used for migraine treatment, pain in the neck, hyperactive bladder, excessive sweating, and some other symptoms.

Xeomin Treatment, Lasting, and Benefits

Xeomin is a high-quality wrinkle relaxer for the new generation. Other brands, like Botox and Dysport, contain added protein among the ingredients to prolong the effect. It can cause an allergic reaction or create resistance when the body produces antibodies against the botulotoxin and reduces its effect. With Xeomin, the chance to get the allergy or resistance is minimal. While it is very effective for moderate to severe wrinkles, Xeomin is often used for glabellar lines. These are horizontal lines on your forehead. Also, Xeomin is used for muscle spasms as an effective treatment. The effect of Xeomin lasts as long as Botox, for 3-4 months, so this term can vary individually. Some patients say the effect of Xeomin is shorter for them than the effect of Botox and Dysport.

Dysport Treatment, Lasting, and Benefits

In the beginning, Dysport entered the beauty market as the European version of Botox. However, after getting FDA approval, it competes with Botox in the American market. Dysport units have a lower concentration of botulotoxin than Botox or Xeomin. It means the patient needs more units for a procedure to get the effect. However, this quality allows for covering a large zone for one procedure.

For patients who stop seeing the effect of Botox, Dysport can be a go-to option. Dysport usually requires 2-3 days to make the effect visible, and it lasts for the same 3-4 months. The price of Dysport per unit is lower but the number of units is higher, so the cost of the procedure will be approximately the same.

Jeuveau Treatment, Lasting, and Benefits

Jeuveau is a botulotoxin drug from South Korea. It appeared recently but it won its market share quickly.

This high-quality wrinkle relaxant is 20-30% cheaper than Botox, so it is very popular. The effect of Jeuveau disappears with time, it can last from several weeks to months, but it is not recommended to repeat the procedure earlier than after three months.

Dysport, Xeomin, Botox, Jeuveau Side Effects

Modern neurotoxins are high-quality substances and they mostly do not have side effects. However, they are still toxins, so the body can react to the injection. To minimize the risk of side effects, make the procedures with reputable health care specialists only.

The reaction to the injection can be normal or allergic. The normal reaction disappears in 48 hours and it mostly does not require any treatment. The allergic reaction is a serious problem and should be controlled by your therapist to avoid the worst side effects.

Dysport Side Effects

The side effects of Dysport mostly look like a patient has got the flu or another respiratory tract infection. The list includes pain in the throat and nose, inflammation in the upper respiratory tracts, running nose, nausea, headache, and other symptoms of flu.

Also, the side effects at the injection site can include skin reactions – redness, pain, and others. These effects are normal but consult your therapist to avoid the worst situation.

Xeomin Side Effects

This substance can also cause local side effects at the injection zone, like skin reaction and pain. However, sometimes pain in the neck, headache, dry eyes, stuffy nose, and other effects are possible.

Botox Side Effects

Botox has the longest history of use and the largest collection of registered side effects. However, most of them are typical for all neurotoxins. They are flu-like symptoms, muscle pain, drooping eyelids, headaches, and so on.

Of course, the reaction at the injection zone is also possible. Skin redness and local pain are the most frequent side effects. Some patients also register bruising, but it is the result of mistakes during the procedure. Anyway, the bruises will disappear naturally.

Jeuveau Side Effects

Jeuveau's side effects have no significant difference from other neurotoxins. Stuffy nose, pain in the throat, drooping eyelids and dry eyes, pain in muscles, and all other symptoms. Injection site pain and skin reactions are also possible.

Sometimes healthcare specialists register increased white blood cell counts, but it is rather a post-reaction on the inflammatory processes provoked by neurotoxins.

Neurotoxin Average Costs

Botox Average Cost

The price for a Botox unit starts at $10, but in large cities be ready to pay $20-$25. Correspondingly, the cost of the procedure for one zone starts from $500-$320 and can reach $3000 and higher.

Xeomin Average Cost

In the United States, the price of Xeomin was $8-$18 per unit, but the price goes up. Anyway, Xeomin is a little cheaper than Botox. The procedure can start from $250 and reach $3000 depending on the number of zones.

Dysport Average Cost

The price per Dysport unit is lower than for other BTX units, it starts from $3. However, the procedure requires more Dysport units than other brands, so the cost of a procedure is almost the same. Various salons report about $400 and higher per zone.

Jeuveau Average Cost

The price per unit starts at $8, and the procedure from $300. In the world of changing prices, it is impossible to calculate an average price. It depends on the location, procedure, and certification of a plastic surgeon. However, Jeuveau should cost 20-30% less than Botox, so if the salon provides both brands, just compare the prices.

FAQ

Is Xeomin Better than Botox or Dysport?

Xeomin is considered the purest substance of all neurotoxins. The formation of antibodies that neutralize the effect is minimal. So, Xeomin is recommended for patients who have got resistance to Botox or Dysport.

What is the Difference between Jeuveau and Xeomin?

Jeuveau is a product of the South Korean company Evolus, while Xeomin is produced by the German pharmaceutical corporation Merz. Both of these drugs contain botulotoxin. However, Jeuveau contains prabotulinumtoxinA, and Xeomin uses incobotulinumtoxinA.

Which is safer: Botox or Dysport?

Both of these drugs are FDA-approved and they have excellent medical records. The number of side effects cases is minimal, and even the registered side effects are mostly minor. However, Dysport is more diluted than Botox. So, if the patient has got side effects from botulotoxin, the effects from Botox will be stronger because of a higher concentration.

How Many Units of Dysport is Equal to Xeomin?

Dysport is more diluted than Xeomin. No one reports the proper proportion. However, the healthcare specialists notice that the proportion can be 1:3 or even 1:4, which means three or four units of Dysport are equal to one unit of Xeomin.

Conclusion

The beauty injection of botulotoxin is a popular procedure that reduces mimic wrinkles, makes the face look younger, and increases self-assurance. The most popular injection drugs are Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau. All these drugs are almost similar, but there are some nuances.

Dysport is known as the most diluted drug with the lowest BTX concentration in one unit. So, it is cheaper than its competitors but it requires more units for the same effect. Xeomin is the purest and causes less resistance and antibodies formation. Botox has the longest medical history and the largest number of side effect cases, but only because of the longer timeline.

Before using any of these drugs for injections, consult your cosmetic physician. The health care professional can recommend the best option for you.