Here's The Deal With Botox's New Competitor, Daxxify

As far as cosmetic treatments go, Botox, the cosmetic form of botulinum toxin, is the last word as a treatment for fine lines and wrinkles. When a trained specialist injects Botox into your face the muscle beneath becomes temporarily paralyzed and the treated area smooths out, per Plastic Surgery Specialists. While the process to get Botox typically takes only 10 minutes, the results only last three to four months, and you may still need other injectables depending on the type of wrinkles you are aiming to treat.

According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, there are two main types of wrinkles: dynamic wrinkles and static wrinkles. Caused by muscle movement such as laughing, frowning, or squinting, dynamic wrinkles include crow's feet and frown lines, which can easily be ironed out by Botox. On the other hand, static wrinkles form as a result of loss of elasticity and collagen in your skin, smoking, or photodamage. In the case of these, Botox is usually recommended to be used in conjunction with fillers for best results.

For decades, Botox has been seen as the go-to fountain of youth treatment. However, it appears that things are about to change with the introduction of Daxxify, an injectable wrinkle treatment that has earned the FDA's approval stamp. Here's why cosmetic professionals predict Daxxify will soon overtake Botox as the most widely used wrinkle treatment.

Developed by Revance, Daxxify belongs to a class of neuromodulators that flatten dynamic wrinkles for a smoother, more youthful appearance by injecting the skin with a tiny quantity of botulinum toxin. When injected into the muscle, this neuromodulator inhibits the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter necessary for muscular contraction. Daxxify is also the first botulinum toxin injection composed of a proprietary synthetic Peptide Exchange Technology, which means Daxxify doesn't contain any human blood proteins or animal-based products. Rather, it is made of peptides and amino acids instead.

Unlike Botox, which produces results that last for three to four months, the improvements in wrinkles brought about by Daxxify have been clinically proven to last for up to six months, with some participants seeing results lasting as long as nine months, according to cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Michele Green on her website. 

Currently, the FDA has only given Daxxify approval to treat facial wrinkles, whereas Botox can also be injected into the armpits, the hands and feet, and the scalp (via Harper's Bazaar). The treatment is expected to become accessible to mass consumers after its commercial launch in 2023. So, is Daxxify the new Botox?

One undeniable fact about Daxxify is that it is incredibly effective at what it was designed to do. According to the findings made in phase three clinical trials of Daxxify, as published in the journal Dermatologic Surgery, roughly 98% of nearly 2,700 participants reported results showing up in as little as two days after receiving Daxxify injections, and a substantial decrease in wrinkles within four weeks.

Although Daxxify and other anti-wrinkle injectable treatments had certain similarities, board-certified dermatologist Ellen Marmur told Popsugar that Daxxify's durability — results that last six to nine months — is what sets it apart. If this has you considering Daxxify, it's important to note that the cost of the treatment remains unknown for the time being. "Usually [price] is determined by the cost to the provider's practice and the treatment goals for a patient and therefore can vary," Dr. Marmur said (via Popsugar). 

Generally considered safe, injectables may still not be right for everyone. While Daxxify is worth checking out, it's not necessarily better than Botox just because its results last longer. Case in point? If the results are long-lasting, any adverse side effects you may experience can also last long. If you're new to injections, you might want to try alternatives with more transient effects first to see if your body responds well to the therapy.