In the United States, Botox and similar botulinum toxin injections have become one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedures. As these cosmetic treatments have grown in popularity, so have the products available.
Historically, Botox was the treatment of choice for facial wrinkles, but advancements in cosmetic treatments have opened the door for changes. These days, individuals have their choice of Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin, all of which provide excellent results.
So how does one choose the product that will work best for them? What are their differences? Do they all cost the same? How do they compare when looking at results or longevity?
Today we are going to do a comparison between Botox, Xeomin, and Dysport that will answer these questions and provide you with a good understanding of these cosmetic treatments.
Why Would Someone Want To Use Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin?
As we get older, wrinkles and fine lines begin to manifest on our faces. While these cosmetic imperfections pose no risk to our health, they can sometimes be aesthetically unappealing and cause us to become anxious or disconcerted.
Botox and injectable fillers often carry a negative stigma of vanity or unnecessary frivolity, but an interesting study of women who chose to have Botox injections revealed that over 80% did not desire to look significantly younger; they just wanted to be able to recognize the face that has been reflected in their mirror for the last several decades.
The signs of aging can remove some of the familiar elements that a woman perceives as “herself” and make that face looking back at her from the mirror look like someone else, which can be upsetting. Botulinum toxin injections such as Botox, Xeomin, and Dysport can make you look more like yourself again without looking unnatural.
All of these injections can help eliminate or reduce wrinkles on the forehead, crow’s feet, frown lines, chin wrinkles, smokers’ lines, etc. These injections are different from dermal fillers and cannot be used to fill lines or wrinkles, but they are often used in tandem with fillers to achieve the desired look.
What Are Botox, Xeomin, and Dysport?
Botox, Xeomin, and Dysport are very popular cosmetic treatments that are made from strains of botulinum toxin (type A). While they all effectively accomplish the same goals, they are all unique in their composition.
There are two types of botulinum toxins that are approved by the FDA for use on humans: botulinum toxin A (for cosmetic uses) and botulinum toxin B (for medical or muscle diseases). Type A was first approved for ophthalmologists to use for the treatment of crossed eyes. Doctors noticed that these patients also experienced fewer wrinkles, and one woman reported that her migraines had stopped, so these toxins were further explored and are used today for a host of medical and cosmetic purposes.
The Differences Between Dysport vs Xeomin vs Botox
Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA), Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA), and Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) are all type A botulinum toxins, but they are not exactly the same chemically.
Some other key differences when comparing Dysport vs. Botox vs. Xeomin are the other ingredients that are added by each manufacturer. All contain a protein that is found in human blood plasma called albumin.
| Botox Ingredients | Dysport Ingredients | Xeomin Ingredients |
|---|---|---|
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It is rare for an individual to have an allergic reaction to ingredients in one of these products, but usually, the reaction is not to the botulinum toxin itself but to an additive in the formulation. Chances are, if a patient has a reaction to one product or their body becomes immune to its effectiveness, they may be able to use another and get the results they want.
How Safe Is Botox vs Xeomin or Dysport?
Botulinum toxins have been used for therapeutic purposes for over three decades with very few adverse reactions when done appropriately and by an injector with extensive training.
Most of the horror stories that you hear about these types of products result from the product being injected by an inexperienced individual.
Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin all have the same side effects, which include headache, dry eyes, blurry vision, injection site pain, irritation, and bruising.
How Do Botox, Xeomin, And Dysport Work?
All three of these products are neuromodulators and are administered via injection. They are made from botulinum toxin and effectively cut off transmissions between nerves and the muscles that are controlled by them.
When a muscle is injected with Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin, these communications are blocked, relaxing the muscle, which smooths out the skin. The wrinkles that form in the face are caused by the repetitive motions that we make, such as frowning or smiling; if these muscles are blocked, then wrinkles are not created.
Comparison of Botox vs Dysport vs Xeomin
to see the entire table
| Botox | Dysport | Xeomin |
|---|---|---|
| Formation | ||
| onabotulinumtoxinA | abobotulinumtoxinA | incobotulinumtoxinA |
| FDA Approval For Medical Use | ||
| 1989 | 2009 | 2010 |
| FDA Approval For Cosmetic Use | ||
| 2002 | 2009 | 2011 |
| Storage | ||
| Refrigeration | Refrigeration | Room Temperature until open then with refrigeration |
| Time to take effect | ||
| Begins to take effect in approx 48 hours but results take 10-14 days | Begins to take effect in approx 24 hours but results take 7-14 days | Begins to take effect in approx 72 hours but results take 10-14 days |
| Results last | ||
| All three products last for approximately four to six months before injections for maintenance will be needed to maintain the results. The longevity of each will vary by patient, the area treated, and the volume of the injection | ||
| Cost Per Unit | ||
| $10-15 | $4-8 | $10-15 |
You can see from the chart located above that there are some differences when comparing these products. A few key differences between Dysport vs. Botox and Xeomin are that Dysport is less expensive per unit but it takes more units to produce the same results, while the Xeomin vs. Botox cost per unit is higher but they require fewer units.
Another difference is how fast patients will see results from the injections. Dysport usually comes out ahead in this comparison, with some results showing up within 24 hours and Xeomin taking the longest to manifest.
How Many Units Will I Need Of Botox, Xeomin, or Dysport?
The number of units you will need depends on two factors: the size of the treatment area and the product being used.
Both Botox and Xeomin units are fairly comparable from unit to unit, but Dysport units do not have the same strength as the other two. In comparison to one Botox or Xeomin unit, approximately three Dysport units are required.
to see the entire table
| Correction Area | Botox | Xeomin | Dysport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frown lines between the brows | 20-30 | 20-30 | 60 |
| Horizontal forehead lines | 10-15 | 10-15 | 30-60 |
| Crows feet | 10-15 per eye | 10-15 per eye | 30-50 per eye |
Xeomin vs Botox vs Dysport: Which Is Better?
Many patients wonder: when comparing Xeomin vs. Botox, which lasts longer? The short answer to this is that all these neuromodulators have similar longevity but may differ from patient to patient. The good news is that patients can try different products and see which one works best for them.
Even though Botox is the most well-known and has been around the longest, it is not necessarily better than Xeomin or Dysport. All three offer excellent results and basically work the same way, so the decision of which one is better for you can be made between you and your cosmetic surgeon.
It Is Critical To Choose Your Injector Wisely!
Since all these neuromodulators are effective and can deliver excellent results, choosing an experienced injector is more important than which product to use. A board-certified cosmetic surgeon or board-certified dermatologist will possess the expertise and knowledge of anatomy necessary to safely provide you with the results you desire.
Most practices offer a selection of different products, so the one that most closely fits the patient’s circumstance can be used to deliver natural-looking restorative and preventive results.
SurgiCare Arts & Aesthetics Can Safely Deliver The Results You Want
At SurgiCare Arts & Aesthetics, Angelina Postoev, MD, FACS, a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon, has extensive experience and offers Botox, Xeomin, and Dysport as well as a vast selection of dermal fillers to help you achieve your desired aesthetic.
Contact us today to learn more about how these non-invasive treatments can help you continue to recognize the face that looks back at you every morning!
