Daxxify vs. Botox: Which One Is Right for You?

For more than 20 years, Botox has been the go-to for smoothing wrinkles. It's trusted, predictable, and it works. But in 2022, the FDA approved a newer option called Daxxify, and in clinical trials, about half of the people treated still had little to no frown lines six months later. Results vary from person to person, but that's a big reason Daxxify has people talking.

So which one should you choose? The honest answer is that it depends on you. Here's how they compare, and how to know which one fits your goals and schedule.

How Both of Them Work

Botox and Daxxify are both neuromodulators, often called "tox" or "wrinkle relaxers." They use the same basic active ingredient, a purified form of botulinum toxin type A.

When injected in tiny amounts into specific facial muscles, they temporarily block the nerve signals that tell those muscles to contract. Less movement means the skin above them can smooth out, and lines that form from repeated expressions, like frowning or squinting, soften or disappear.

Over time, your body gradually restores those nerve signals and movement slowly returns. That's why results are temporary, and why the biggest difference between these two products comes down to one thing: how long they last.

The Key Differences

How Long It Lasts

This is the big one.

• Botox typically lasts about 3 to 4 months.
• Daxxify lasted a median of about 6 months in clinical trials, with some people seeing results for up to 9 months. Results can vary from person to person.

In the two large SAKURA trials, which included more than 600 people, frown lines stayed in the "none or mild" range for a median of 24 weeks after a single Daxxify treatment. For some people, that can mean fewer appointments each year. Everyone is different, though, and how long either product lasts depends on your muscles, metabolism, dose, and treatment area.

What's In It

Daxxify is the first neuromodulator made with a special peptide instead of human albumin. Botox and several other neuromodulators use a small amount of human serum albumin, a protein from blood plasma, to keep the product stable. Daxxify uses a lab-made peptide instead, so it contains no human or animal ingredients.

Track Record and Treatment Areas

Botox has been FDA approved for cosmetic use since 2002 and is approved for several areas of the face, including frown lines, forehead lines, and crow's feet. It has decades of real-world experience behind it.

Daxxify is newer, and for cosmetic use it's FDA approved for frown lines between the brows. Experienced injectors may use it in other areas off label.

Same Cost at Our Office

A "unit" of Daxxify isn't equal to a "unit" of Botox. It takes about 2 units of Daxxify to equal 1 unit of Botox. At Abbott Health & Wellness, Botox is $12 per unit and Daxxify is $6 per unit, so your treatment costs the same either way. That means your choice can come down to what fits your goals, not your budget. For a full price breakdown, see our guide to Botox cost in Utah.

Which One Is Right for You?

Daxxify may be a great fit if you:

• Want fewer appointments each year
• Have a busy schedule or travel often
• Notice Botox wearing off sooner than you'd like
• Prefer a product without human or animal ingredients

Botox may be a great fit if you:

• Are new to neuromodulators, so we can fine-tune your dose and find what you love before committing to a longer-lasting treatment
• Like having more frequent touch-ups to fine-tune your results

Why Some Patients Use Both

Many of our patients don't pick just one. Some start with Botox to find their ideal dose and look, then move to Daxxify once they know what they love. Others alternate between the two.

Over time, some people feel a product doesn't work quite as well for them as it used to. True resistance is rare, but switching products is one option we can try to keep your results working for you.

Side Effects

Both products have similar, generally mild side effects. The most common include:

• Headache
• Redness, swelling, or tenderness at the injection site
• Minor bruising

Less commonly, a nearby muscle can be affected and cause a temporary heavy or drooping eyelid or brow. That's one reason choosing an experienced injector matters so much.

What to Expect at Abbott

As a board-certified nurse practitioner, I personally perform every neuromodulator treatment at our clinic.

1. A personalized consultation. We talk about your goals, look at how your face moves, and decide which product and dose make the most sense for you.
2. A quick treatment. Most appointments take just a few minutes once we've made a plan. You'll feel a few small pinches, and most people are back to their day right away.
3. Results that build. You'll start noticing a difference within a few days, with full results in about two weeks.
4. A follow-up. We'll check in on your results and fine-tune if needed, then plan your next visit based on how long your results last.

Quick tips after your treatment: Stay upright for a few hours, skip rubbing or massaging the area, and hold off on hard workouts until the next day.

Curious whether wrinkle relaxers or filler is the better fit for what you're seeing in the mirror? Read Botox vs. Filler: What's the Difference?

The Bottom Line

Botox and Daxxify both smooth wrinkles in the same basic way. Botox has a longer track record and approval for more areas. Daxxify is newer, contains no human or animal ingredients, and may last longer for many people. At our office, both cost the same per treatment, so the choice comes down to what fits you best. Learn more about Botox and our other injectables, or book a consultation and we'll help you choose the option that fits your goals.

Sources

• Carruthers et al., SAKURA 1 and SAKURA 2 trials, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2020
• American Society of Plastic Surgeons: how does Daxxify compare to Botox?

This page is for general information and does not constitute medical advice. Treatment recommendations are individualized and confirmed at your consultation. — Abbott Health & Wellness, 45 North State Street, Salina, UT 84654.