While “Botox” has become a household name for cosmetic wrinkle treatments, patients have more options than ever when it comes to neuromodulators.
Nurrse Practitioner Nikki Sommer of the Key West Surgical Group and Med Spa joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning for Medical Matters to help people understand the science behind neuromodulators.
There are both similarities and differences between five FDA-approved neuromodulators used in cosmetic medicine: Botox Cosmetic, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau and Daxxify.
“Don’t let marketing replace the science when choosing the right neuromodulator for you,” Sommer said. “All five of them are effective. They all work by relaxing the targeted muscles, and they all have excellent safety records when used appropriately.”
Botox Cosmetic remains the most recognized product because it was the first neuromodulator approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for cosmetic use.
“It’s kind of the household name that everybody knows,” she said. “People say, ‘I’m going to get Botox,’ but they might actually be getting Dysport or Xeomin or Daxxify.”
Patients typically begin seeing results from Botox within three to five days, with the full effect developing after about two weeks. Many providers schedule a follow-up appointment at that point to evaluate results and determine whether a touch-up is needed.
Sommer said Dysport often produces results slightly faster than Botox, with some patients noticing changes within two to three days.
“It does kick in even after a day,” she said. “That’s why some people prefer that neuromodulator.”
She added that Dysport may spread more within treated tissue, making it useful for larger treatment areas such as the forehead when administered by an experienced injector familiar with facial anatomy.
Xeomin is sometimes referred to as the “naked toxin” because most accessory proteins are removed during manufacturing.
“The accessory proteins are not what relax your muscles,” Sommer explained. “They are not what’s going to smooth the wrinkles.”
She said only the active neurotoxin enters the nerve ending to temporarily block muscle contraction, while the accessory proteins separate after injection.
Jeuveau was developed specifically for aesthetic treatments and performs similarly to Botox from a scientific standpoint.
“Many injectors find the performance very comparable to Botox,” Sommer said.
Individual patients may notice small differences in how quickly the product begins working, but many experience little to no difference between the two.
Daxxify differs from other neuromodulators by using a proprietary peptide stabilizing technology instead of human serum albumin.
Researchers believe that technology may allow the active neurotoxin to remain associated with the nerve longer, resulting in a longer-lasting clinical effect for some patients.
“Clinical trials have shown that many patients maintain the results for about six months, some even longer,” Sommer said. “But average doesn’t mean guaranteed.”
It’s important to remember that every patient metabolizes medications differently, meaning some may still experience only three to four months of benefit.
Sommer said there is no single neuromodulator that works best for everyone, comparing cosmetic injectables to medications used to treat blood pressure or diabetes.
“There isn’t just one that is the magic ingredient to control everything for everybody,” she said. “The same goes for your neuromodulator.”
Choosing the appropriate product depends on a patient’s anatomy, treatment goals and response to previous injections.
“Having patience when you see a new injector and having that two-week follow-up to discuss the results—that’s the important thing,” Sommer said.
Understanding the science behind the products helps patients make informed decisions rather than relying on marketing claims or social media opinions.
For more information, click here: https://www.keywestsurgicalgroup.com/