Since hitting the market over 20 years ago, BOTOX® Cosmetic has become a household name, having proven itself through millions of treatments to be a safe and effective injectable neurotoxin for softening facial lines and wrinkles. Despite other BOTOX alternatives making their way to market at intervals (namely, Dysport®, Jeuveau®, and Xeomin®), BOTOX’s reputation for achieving safe, predictable results has helped it retain the number one spot when it comes to neuromodulator treatments for expression lines.
But, there is one new product that may offer strong competition for this iconic anti-aging treatment: Revance Aesthetics announced in September of 2022 that their one of a kind neuromodulator, DAXXIFY™ will be available in cosmetic surgery offices soon.
What is DAXXIFY?
DAXXIFY (daxibotulinumtoxinA-lanm) or “DAXI” is an injectable neurotoxin that is FDA-approved to treat glabellar lines (frown lines between the eyebrows—commonly referred to as the “11s”). Using the same class of active ingredient—a purified botulinum toxin type A protein—as other injectable neurotoxins such as BOTOX® Cosmetic, Dysport®, Xeomin®, and Jeuveau®, DAXXIFY works by temporarily blocking nerve signals to treated muscles. Once injected, DAXXIFY softens expression lines caused by repeated muscle contractions.
What makes DAXXIFY different from its competitors is its unique formulation; the toxin that temporarily blocks the signals to the muscle is attached to a protein—helping to extend DAXXIFY’s effects on treated muscles. In fact, clinical trials found that DAXXIFY results can last between 6-9 months, potentially lasting 2-3 times longer than BOTOX for some patients.
Additionally, DAXXIFY is the first injectable neurotoxin formulated using a novel peptide as a stabilizer, meaning it does not contain human or animal byproducts.
What are the pros and cons of DAXXIFY?
Advantages of DAXI over other neuromodulators
Patients will likely enjoy the longer-lasting effects of DAXXIFY and the time savings resulting from needing fewer injection appointments to maintain continuous results. DAXI may also be a solution for the very small percentage of patients who have developed BOTOX resistance, which diminishes the effects of treatment with BOTOX’s specific neurotoxin formula.
DAXXIFY is the first injectable neurotoxin formulated using a novel peptide as a stabilizer, meaning it does not contain human or animal byproducts.
Disadvantages of DAXI compared with other neuromodulators
Because the effects of neurotoxins cannot be reversed, you should be clear on neuromodulator treatment’s effects on your appearance, potentially first employing shorter-lived options until you are certain you are pleased with the results of your injection plan. Another disadvantage is that, in the event you experience an unwanted outcome such as eyelid sagging (ptosis) with DAXI, you will likely need to wait more time for the side effect to fade—though limited data from clinical trials found that negative side effects did not last significantly longer than those of BOTOX. For these reasons, it is all the more important to choose a highly-trained injector.
How can I find a qualified DAXI provider near me?
It is natural that injectors will have less background experience with the use of a brand-new product like DAXXIFY, and as such, vetting their experience with the use of similar neuromodulators like BOTOX is critically important. Indeed, no matter what neurotoxin you choose for treatment, your results will be far more dependent on your injector having nuanced knowledge of how to control facial musculature with injectables, rather than the exact formula.
As with any procedure, we strongly urge patients to choose a practice led by a board certified cosmetic surgeon. This will help ensure you receive the highest quality of care and safe, beautiful results. Click here to find a board certified cosmetic surgeon near you.
