It seems that every year new injectables and laser technology expands and grows – it is a reality. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration have recently approved a new wrinkle relaxer, Xeomin. Xeomin joins two existing injectable neurotoxins; Botox and Dysport. Allow me to compare the three FDA-approved injectables on the market to help inform you so you can be comfortable you made the right decision.

Botox, Dysport and Xeomin are made from the purified neurotoxin, botulinum toxin type A, that relaxes the muscle. These injectables are FDA approved to aesthetically treat frown lines between the eyebrows.

While off-label, Botox, Dysport and Xeomin are used for treating crow’s-feet, horizontal forehead lines, down-turned corners of the mouth and skin bands on the neck.

Both are injected under the skin into areas surrounding the eyes, forehead and mouth to smooth crow's feet, frown and worry lines, and lines on the neck.

Made from a purified protein, BOTOX® injections block nerve impulses, weakening muscles to relax wrinkles and give the face a rejuvenated look. BOTOX® may also be useful for migraine headaches, excessive sweating, and eye and neck muscle spasms.

However, Dysport can diffuse muscles one to three centimeters from the injection point, while Botox can only reach as far as one centimeter, allowing for results that reach further areas with just a single injection.

In addition to treating fine lines and wrinkles, Dysport can also be used to relieve excessive underarm sweating, and treat the symptoms of cervical dystonia, such as neck pain and abnormal head position.

All have minimal to no downtime and results generally lasting about three to five months. Determining which neurotoxin to use based on clinical studies is difficult because every patient is different and will experience different results with shorter or longer duration periods.

Botox has been around the longest therefore; yields the most studies and safety usage. It contains additional inactive neurotoxin proteins or “additives” that may increase the likelihood of antibodies, meaning a small percent of patients may be immune.

Dysport is formulated with a smaller molecular structure than its competitors so many physicians feel that it acts faster. Dysport also contains fewer additives than its competitor, Botox.

Xeomin, approved in summer of 2011, is the most recent injectable approved for treating facial aesthetics therefore; hasn’t been tested long-term. However, we have been using Xeomin in our practice and the results seem comparable to Botox and Dysport.

Conclusion
Making the decision between Botox, Dysport or Xeomin will be based on personal experience. The bonus of having more choices is just that – more choices. Some patients are always eager to try the “next best thing” or perhaps results from one neurotoxin aren’t what they may have expected.

Regardless of the neurotoxin you choose, it is most important to research a skilled injector whether it be a registered nurse, physician assistant, dermatologist or board-certified plastic surgeon. It’s important to ask questions and understand all risks and possible complications of all treatments and surgeries.