The U.S. has five FDA-approved neuromodulators — Botox, Dysport, Daxxify, Jeuveau, and Xeomin.
The U.S. has five FDA-approved neuromodulators — Botox, Dysport, Daxxify, Jeuveau, and Xeomin. All are botulinum toxin type A and all relax muscles to smooth dynamic wrinkles, so results are broadly similar. They differ mainly in onset speed, how long they last, dosing, cost, and one signature trait apiece. Here’s how they compare — with links to each brand’s full hub and head-to-head comparison.
The U.S. has five FDA-approved neuromodulators — Botox, Dysport, Daxxify, Jeuveau, and Xeomin. All are botulinum toxin type A and all relax muscles to smooth dynamic wrinkles, so results are broadly similar. They differ mainly in onset speed, how long they last, dosing, cost, and one signature trait apiece. Here’s how they compare — with links to each brand’s full hub and head-to-head comparison.
Quick comparison — Botox — Onset: 3–5 days; Duration: 3–4 mo; Dosing vs Botox: — (baseline); Cost vs Botox: baseline; Signature trait: The original; most approvals, 30+ yr record | Dysport — Onset: 2–3 days; Duration: 3–4 mo; Dosing vs Botox: not 1:1 (~2.5:1); Cost vs Botox: similar; Signature trait: Spreads more; great for large areas | Daxxify — Onset: ~2 days; Duration: ~6 mo; Dosing vs Botox: ~2× units; Cost vs Botox: more/visit; Signature trait: Longest-lasting; peptide-stabilized | Jeuveau — Onset: 2–3 days; Duration: 3–4 mo; Dosing vs Botox: 1:1; Cost vs Botox: 20–30% less; Signature trait: “Newtox”; closest Botox analog | Xeomin — Onset: 3–5 days; Duration: 3–4 mo; Dosing vs Botox: 1:1; Cost vs Botox: 15–25% less; Signature trait: “Naked toxin”; lower resistance risk.
Every one of these is botulinum toxin type A and treats the same dynamic wrinkles; the table shows where they diverge. Below, what each is best for.
All five work the same way: injected in tiny amounts into a specific muscle, they block the nerve signal that tells that muscle to contract. With the muscle relaxed, the overlying skin stops creasing and the dynamic wrinkle it caused softens. The effect is local and temporary — only the treated muscles are affected, and as the nerve endings regenerate over a few months the movement (and the lines) gradually return. That’s why these treat expression lines from movement, not the volume loss or static folds that fillers address. The differences between brands come down to formulation, not mechanism.
The gold standard. Botox has the longest track record and the most FDA approvals — frown lines, forehead lines, crow’s feet, neck bands, plus medical uses — making it the most versatile and predictable choice, especially for first-timers. Dive into its side effects, how long it lasts, and what it costs.
Dysport has the fastest onset (2–3 days) and diffuses a little more, which makes it well-suited to larger areas like the forehead. Its units are not 1:1 with Botox. See the head-to-head in Botox vs Dysport.
Daxxify is the outlier on duration — a median ~6 months versus 3–4 for the rest, thanks to its peptide stabilizer — so you visit about half as often, though it costs more per visit and its longevity is dose-dependent. Compare it in Botox vs Daxxify.
Jeuveau is the closest analog to Botox — same 900 kDa complex, 1:1 dosing — typically 20–30% cheaper and marketed purely for aesthetics. A popular value pick for younger, budget-conscious patients. See Botox vs Jeuveau.
Xeomin is the only toxin purified to remove all accessory proteins, giving it a theoretically lower antibody-resistance risk — a common reason to switch if Botox has stopped working. It doses 1:1 and runs cheaper. See Botox vs Xeomin.
These are separate products with separate manufacturing and non-interchangeable units. Jeuveau and Xeomin dose 1:1 with Botox; Dysport uses a different scale (roughly 2.5:1), and Daxxify uses about twice the units. That’s why per-unit price alone can mislead — always compare per-treatment cost, and never assume a unit count transfers between brands. Your injector recalculates the dose for whichever product you choose.
There’s no single winner — the right pick depends on your goals:
First-timer or want the gold standard: Botox (or Jeuveau for a cheaper, near-identical option).
Longest results, fewest visits: Daxxify.
Large areas or fast onset: Dysport.
Built up resistance to Botox: Xeomin.
Budget-conscious: Jeuveau or Xeomin.
Whichever you lean toward, expertise outweighs brand — a skilled injector gets excellent results with any of them. Find and compare qualified injectors near you.
All are botulinum toxin type A, all temporarily relax muscle to soften dynamic lines, all share a similar safety profile (mild, temporary side effects like headache or bruising, with the same FDA class warning), and none is reversible — each simply wears off. And all are muscle relaxers, not volumizers.
None of these toxins adds volume. For lost volume — flat cheeks, thin lips, or under-eye hollows — you want dermal fillers (the difference is explained in Botox vs dermal fillers): lip filler for lips, or a brand like Juvederm or Restylane (compared in Juvederm vs Restylane) for cheeks — each with its own longevity, cost, and side-effect profile. Many people combine a toxin for movement lines with filler for volume in one plan.
A neuromodulator visit is quick and similar for all five products. After a brief consultation to map your goals and the right dose, the injector cleans the area and makes a series of small injections with a fine needle — the whole thing usually takes 10–15 minutes with minimal discomfort. There’s little to no downtime; you can return to normal activities the same day, while avoiding strenuous exercise, lying flat, and rubbing the area for the first several hours. Results begin in a few days and peak at about two weeks, when a quick follow-up can fine-tune anything. Plan your first treatment a couple of weeks before any event.
The five above are the established U.S. neuromodulators, but the category is still growing. Letybo (letibotulinumtoxinA), South Korea’s most-used toxin, earned FDA approval in 2024 for frown lines and doses 1:1 with Botox, typically at a lower price — an emerging value option to watch. As newer toxins clear the FDA, the same rules apply: same drug class, non-interchangeable units, and a skilled injector matters more than the label.