Daxxify (daxibotulinumtoxinA-lanm) is the newest of the three botulinum toxin products we carry at Shield Dental Care in Burke, VA, alongside BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport. The main reason patients ask about it is how long it lasts. This page covers what is different about Daxxify. Our Botox overview covers what all three have in common.
What Daxxify is approved for
Daxxify was FDA-approved in 2022 for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults. It has since been approved for a medical condition, cervical dystonia, which is outside dentistry. Using Daxxify on the forehead or around the eyes is off-label. That is legal and widely done, and we will always tell you when a use is off-label.
How long Daxxify lasts
In Daxxify’s frown-line trials, many patients’ lines stayed at “none” or “mild” for around six months, and it took a little longer still for them to return to how they started. That is longer than the three to four months usually quoted for Botox and Dysport. Results vary from person to person, and some people will not see the longer effect. For patients who want fewer appointments a year, it is worth considering.
What is different about it
- Formulation. Daxxify uses a peptide to stabilize the toxin instead of human albumin, the protein used in other products.
- Units. The approved dose for frown lines is 40 units across five injection points. Like every brand, its units cannot be compared with or converted into another product’s units.
- Onset. Many people notice a change within a few days, similar to other products.
Side effects
In the frown-line trials, the most common side effects were headache (about 6 in 100 people), a drooping eyelid (about 2 in 100) and temporary weakness of nearby facial muscles (about 1 in 100). Injection-site redness or bruising is common and short-lived. Because Daxxify lasts longer, an unwanted effect such as a drooping lid may also take longer to wear off. Like all botulinum toxin products, Daxxify carries an FDA boxed warning about the rare spread of its effect beyond the injection site. Trouble swallowing, speaking or breathing after treatment is an emergency.
The usual cautions apply. We recommend waiting if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is not suitable if you are allergic to any botulinum toxin or have an infection where the injections would go, and extra care is needed with nerve-and-muscle conditions such as myasthenia gravis.
Daxxify, Botox or Dysport?
For frown lines, all three are FDA-approved and all three work well. Daxxify is the option for people who put the most value on how long results last. For forehead lines and crow’s feet, BOTOX Cosmetic is the product with FDA approval. We will talk through the choice at your consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Daxxify really last six months?+
In its clinical trials, many patients’ frown lines stayed improved for around six months, which is longer than the three to four months usually quoted for Botox. It does not last that long for everyone.
Is Daxxify better than Botox?+
Not better, different. Its main advantage is how long results can last. Botox Cosmetic has FDA approval for more areas of the face.
How many units of Daxxify are used?+
The FDA-approved dose for frown lines is 40 units across five injection points. Units cannot be compared across brands, so this is not “more” than a Botox dose.
Can I switch from Botox to Daxxify?+
Yes. Tell us when your last treatment was and which product you had, and we will plan the timing.