Xeomin vs. Dysport vs. Botox – Learn the Differences

There exist three injectable cosmetic medicine brands – Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin. All three of these share a generic broad action of smoothing out fine wrinkles and facial lines, and all three have botulinum toxin type A as an active agent.

All of them have distinct properties, because of which each of them is distinct from the others. The best among them is then selected depending on muscular anatomy, skin, treatment area, and purpose. What we are going to discuss in this article are the most significant differences, so that you know what to choose when you go around looking for the best Botox brand to suit your beauty requirements.

Understanding the Basics

All three drugs—Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin—are effective by paralyzing temporarily muscles treated to unwind dynamic wrinkles as a result of habitually used facial muscle groups, i.e., frowning or squinting. Although they work to accomplish the same purpose, molecular structure, onset, diffusion, and duration will differ.

Botox: The Original Trendsetter

Allergan (ex-AbbVie subsidiary)-manufactured Botox is the most popular and most utilized botulinum toxin globally. It was originally introduced for cosmetic purposes in 2002 and is widely regarded as the gold standard. 

Major Characteristics:

• Accompanied by accessory proteins as well as active toxin
• Shows apparent effects within 3–5 days
• Active 3–6 months
• Exceptional precision, best suited for tiny treatment areas such as crow's feet or frown lines

Botox's success and reliability history put it squarely as the best Botox brand at number one. Its extensive clinical trials and long history also make it the practitioner's number-one choice.

Dysport: The Quick-ACTION Alternative

The second FDA-approved botulinum toxin is Dysport, manufactured by Ipsen and imported into the United States by Revance Therapeutics. 

Key Features:

• Has an even faster onset and greater spreading, and it's especially well-suited for huge surface areas.
• Also contains accessory proteins
• Active 1–3 days
• A slight increase in diffusion, great for bigger areas of treatment like the forehead
• It is as potent for as long as Botox (3 to 5 months), perhaps longer depending on dose and amount of use of the muscles

As Dysport becomes more commonly available, it will perhaps not be used ideally where the issue is precision of placement. But where deeper folds over larger areas are an issue, it can produce smoother and more natural results.

Xeomin: The "Naked" Neurotoxin

Xeomin, produced by Merz Pharmaceuticals, is distinctive in that it is a "naked" botulinum toxin. That is, no add-on or complexing proteins—just pure active neurotoxin.

Key Features:

• Additive-free pure botulinum toxin
• Less chance of resistance or antibody development
• Time to onset is typically 3–4 days
• Duration of action is 3–4 months on average

Xeomin is consumed by patients and even most dermatologists due to its purity, particularly on patients who are already tolerant of the other brands. It being small also avoids causing long-term tolerance or allergy, so it is one of the most ideal products for those patients who want cleaner. Since the secondary xeomin keyword suggests, it is now the first choice of those wanting cleaner and smaller products.

Comparing the Three: What's the Best Botox Brand?

When choosing what best Botox brand to inject with, the following is useful to keep in mind:

Ultimately, your ideal Botox line will be yours alone based on your individual aesthetic need, location of treatment, and how each drug interacts with your body. Your best advice is to talk to an old, experienced injector and ask him or her what would work for you.

Final Thoughts

All three of Dysport, Botox, and Xeomin are better in some regard, and there simply could not be one better in every regard. Though Botox is still the best known and possibly the best Botox brand for smooth results, Dysport is the quickest and spreads the farthest, and Xeomin is an option for the die-hard purist, with less likelihood of resistance occurring.

Whatever brand, procedures should be carried out by an educated practitioner who intimately knows facial structure and product procedure for every line. It's science and art, though, because, done correctly, it can set free the best parts of you.