Botox. Dysport. Daxxify. Jeuveau. Xeomin.
If you’ve started researching wrinkle relaxers and found yourself wondering, What is actually the difference between all of these? you’re not alone.
“Botox” has become the name many patients use for the entire category, but Botox is actually just one of several neuromodulators available today. They all work toward a similar goal: temporarily relaxing targeted muscles to soften expression lines and wrinkles.
But are they all exactly the same? Not quite. And if Botox were a music icon, who would she be?
It’s a question absolutely no one asked us, but now that we’ve thought about it, we have opinions.
To help break down the differences, we tapped into the experience of our very own leading lady, Kerri Otto, PA-C, Elara’s Clinical Director and an aesthetic injector with more than 24 years of experience. Throughout this guide, we’ll share not only what makes each wrinkle relaxer different, but also Kerri’s perspective on how they perform in real-world aesthetic practice.
Because sometimes you want more than the textbook answer. You want to know what your injector actually thinks.
First, What Does Botox Actually Do?
Before we get to our musical picks, here’s a little botox 101 for you.
Every time you raise your eyebrows, squint, smile, or furrow your brow, the muscles underneath your skin contract. Over time, those repeated movements can contribute to the lines we begin to notice in areas like the forehead, between the eyebrows, and around the eyes.
Wrinkle relaxers such as Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau, and Daxxify temporarily reduce targeted muscle activity.
And no, the goal does not have to be a forehead that hasn’t moved since 2016. Unless you want it to!
At Elara, we focus on creating refreshed, balanced results that still look like you.
That requires understanding how the muscles of the face work together and using the appropriate product, dose, and placement for each patient.
In other words, your wrinkle relaxer treatment should be customized to your face, not copied from someone else’s.
Now that we have the basics covered, let’s get to the headliners.
Botox vs. Dysport vs. Daxxify vs. Xeomin vs. Jeuveau
We could give you a boring comparison chart. Or we could explain it with the help of some of music’s leading ladies.
So, if our wrinkle relaxer lineup were music icons…
For the record: these comparisons are purely about the energy each artist brings to our lineup. We’re not suggesting or speculating about anyone’s personal aesthetic treatments.
Botox® Cosmetic: The OG and Iconic Mother
Botox is the name everyone knows. You’ve heard it. Your mother has probably heard it. Even your mother’s mother.
She is the tried-and-true OG neurotoxin.
So who better to represent her than Dolly Parton?
Both have transcended generations and trends. New names have come onto the scene, the industry has evolved, and yet somehow, the OG remains just as recognizable as ever.
It was the first botulinum toxin approved in the U.S. specifically for cosmetic use and has been used aesthetically for more than 20 years. It is FDA-approved to treat several areas of the upper face, including frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet.
For many patients, results typically last around three to four months, although everyone metabolizes these treatments differently.
Kerri’s take: Botox has earned its reputation for a reason. It’s predictable, well studied, and a great option for many patients. But being the most recognizable name doesn’t automatically make it the best choice for everyone.
P.S. Britney Spears and Madonna were very close contenders for this one, but come on… it had to be Dolly. RIP to a queen.
Dysport®: Who Runs the World?
You knew Beyoncé had to make an appearance somewhere.
Powerful, polished, established, and more than capable of commanding the stage alongside the biggest names in the industry. That’s the kind of presence Dysport brings to our lineup.
Dysport was FDA-approved for cosmetic use in 2009 and is another popular option for treating expression lines.
Patients may begin noticing changes relatively quickly after treatment, although the full result still takes time to develop.
Kerri’s take: In Kerri’s experience, Dysport tends to provide a slightly stronger effect than Botox while still allowing for natural-looking results. She particularly likes it in certain patients with stronger muscle movement.
That doesn’t make Dysport universally “better” than Botox. It simply means there are patients and treatment goals where Kerri may reach for it first.
Xeomin®: Just the Vocals, Please
No bells. No whistles. No unnecessary extras.
Just give us the vocals.
Naturally, Adele gets this one. Plus, Rolling in the Deep came out in 2010 so it just makes sense.
And once you understand what makes Xeomin different, the pairing makes even more sense.
Xeomin was approved for the treatment of frown lines in 2010. You may have heard it referred to as the “naked” neurotoxin because its formulation does not contain the accessory proteins found in some other products.
Because of this purified formulation, there has been discussion about whether it could potentially reduce the likelihood of antibody formation or treatment resistance. The science behind resistance is more complicated than simply saying one product prevents it, though.
Kerri’s take: In her experience, Xeomin can have a slightly less powerful effect compared with Botox or Dysport. It may still be appropriate for certain patients, but it isn’t typically her first choice when she’s looking for a stronger degree of muscle relaxation.
And before the Adele fans start drafting emails, remember: the comparison ends at the formulation. We would never question the vocals.
Jeuveau®: Thank U, Next
Enter Ariana Grande.
Our lineup officially has a newer-school girl in the group chat.
Jeuveau entered the U.S. aesthetic market in 2019 and was developed specifically with cosmetic use in mind.
It works similarly to Botox and is commonly associated with treating frown lines between the brows. Patients may begin seeing an effect within the first several days, with results generally lasting around three months depending on the individual.
Kerri’s take: One of Jeuveau’s biggest advantages can be its price point. It is often priced slightly lower per unit than Botox, which can make it an attractive option for patients looking for a more budget-conscious treatment.
Price shouldn’t be the only reason to choose a wrinkle relaxer, but we also believe it’s perfectly reasonable for cost to be part of the conversation.
Newer to the lineup, made specifically with aesthetics in mind, and entering an industry already filled with some pretty major names? Ariana felt right.
Daxxify®: In It for the Long Haul
And then there’s Daxxify.
Newer to the lineup, a little different from what came before it, and showing some serious staying power.
Sounds like we need Taylor Swift.
Daxxify is the newest member of the group and brings something a little different to the conversation.
Unlike other wrinkle relaxers, Daxxify uses a proprietary peptide-based formulation. One of its biggest differentiators is its potential for longer-lasting results.
For someone who loves their wrinkle relaxer but doesn’t love coming back every few months, that can be a major advantage.
Kerri’s take: Kerri really likes Daxxify for the right patient. It can be especially appealing for someone who already knows they love the look of a wrinkle relaxer and wants more time between treatments. It may also be worth discussing for patients who feel they metabolize traditional toxins relatively quickly.
That said, longer-lasting doesn’t automatically mean better. For someone completely new to wrinkle relaxers, for example, we may want to consider whether committing to a potentially longer duration fits their goals and comfort level.
Taylor may be in her Eras era, but your neurotoxin era should still be determined by your anatomy, goals and treatment preferences.
Okay, So Which Wrinkle Relaxer Is the Best?
We knew you were going to ask.
The answer is probably less exciting than choosing one winner, but it’s also more important: there isn’t one wrinkle relaxer that is best for everyone.
Even within our own practice, there are products we prefer for certain situations.
If you have very strong muscle movement, that may point us toward one product. If longevity is your biggest priority, another may make more sense. If you’ve been getting Botox for years and consistently love your results, there may be absolutely no reason to switch.
Sometimes patients simply respond better to one formulation than another.
The product matters, but how that product is used matters even more.
Knowing what to inject is only one part of the equation. Understanding facial anatomy, dosing, placement, muscle movement, balance, and the patient’s goals is what ultimately creates a beautiful result.
Every icon has her place on the playlist. The art is knowing which one to play and when.
Botox Isn’t Just for Forehead Wrinkles
Most patients initially associate Botox and other wrinkle relaxers with three areas: forehead lines, the “11s” between the eyebrows, and crow’s feet.
Those are some of the most common areas we treat, but they’re far from the only ones.
Depending on your anatomy and goals, neuromodulators may also be used to address:
- Bunny lines around the nose
- A subtle lip flip
- Chin dimpling
- Downturned corners of the mouth
- Masseter muscles for jawline concerns or symptoms associated with jaw clenching
- Platysmal bands in the neck
- Jawline and lower-face balancing
- Excessive sweating
Some of these treatments are considered off-label, meaning the FDA has not specifically approved that product for that particular treatment area. Off-label medication use is common throughout medicine and should always be based on a qualified provider’s clinical judgment and the individual patient’s needs.
Translation: just because you saw a treatment trending online doesn’t mean it belongs on your personal setlist.
Anatomy first. Trends second. Always.
Our Approach: Don’t Chase Individual Wrinkles
One of the most important parts of treating with neuromodulators is understanding that facial muscles don’t work independently.
They pull against and interact with one another. Changing the movement of one muscle can influence the balance of another.
That’s why at Elara, we prefer to look at the face as a whole.
Kerri often describes her technique as a “sprinkling” approach, strategically placing product throughout different areas of the face rather than heavily treating one isolated spot.
The goal is balance.
We don’t want someone to look at you and immediately think, She got Botox.
We’d much rather them think, She looks really good.
How Many Units of Botox Do You Actually Need?
There is no magic number.
Your ideal dose depends on your facial anatomy, muscle strength, desired amount of movement, previous treatments, and aesthetic goals.
Budget matters too.
We want our patients to feel comfortable talking about what they want to spend because it helps us prioritize. We can discuss where treatment may have the most impact, what can wait, and what makes sense for your goals.
During your consultation, your provider will evaluate your face both at rest and in motion. We may ask you to raise your eyebrows, frown, smile, and make different expressions so we can see exactly how your muscles are working.
Then we talk about what you want.
Not what Instagram says you need. Not what your friend gets. Not what someone with completely different facial anatomy gets.
Your treatment should be yours.
What If You’ve Never Had Botox Before?
Here’s the good news: there will not be a pop quiz.
You do not need to walk into your first appointment knowing which product you want, how many units you need, or whether you’re apparently more of a Dolly or Beyoncé.
That’s what your consultation is for.
Instead, tell us what you’re noticing.
Maybe it’s:
“I always look angry in pictures.”
“My makeup is starting to settle into my forehead lines.”
“I love my smile. I just want to soften the lines around my eyes.”
“I don’t want to look frozen.”
Or even:
“I have absolutely no idea what I need. I just want to look a little more refreshed.”
All of those are perfectly good places to start.
Our job is to listen to what you’re noticing, evaluate your anatomy, and explain what we think could help, what may not, and why.
And if we don’t think you need something? We’ll tell you that too.
What Happens After Your Treatment?
One thing we remind every patient is that wrinkle relaxers aren’t instant.
You’ll typically begin noticing changes within the days following your appointment, depending on the product used. Your results will continue to develop as the treatment takes full effect.
For new patients, Kerri recommends a follow-up approximately two to three weeks after the initial treatment.
This gives us a chance to see how your muscles responded, how the treatment settled, and most importantly, whether you’re happy with your result. If something needs to be adjusted, we can discuss it then.
Those follow-ups also give your provider valuable information for future treatments. Over time, we begin to understand which products you respond to best, how much movement you prefer, how quickly you metabolize your treatment, and what approach gives you the result you love.
The Bottom Line on Botox, Dysport, Daxxify & the Rest
There are more wrinkle relaxer options available than ever, which is great for patients. It can also make deciding what to get feel unnecessarily complicated.
Our advice? Don’t worry about choosing your neurotoxin before your appointment.
At Elara Cosmetic Dermatology, we approach injectables individually. Your anatomy, goals, lifestyle, budget, previous experiences, and preferences should all be part of the conversation.
Sometimes Botox makes the most sense. Sometimes we prefer Dysport. For the right patient, Daxxify can be an exciting option. And sometimes the answer is that you don’t need a wrinkle relaxer at all.
So while we’re willing to publicly defend our Dolly, Beyoncé, Adele, Ariana and Taylor lineup, your actual treatment isn’t about picking your favorite.
That’s exactly why we have consultations.
If you’re considering Botox or another wrinkle relaxer in Myrtle Beach or Pawleys Island, schedule an appointment with Kerri Otto, PA-C and our cosmetic team. We’ll talk through your options, answer your questions, and create a treatment plan designed around you.