Daxxify is a new neuromodulator that some claim works within hours and lasts twice as long as Botox—which is why Allure editor Lauren Caruso was quick to try it out for herself. However, there’s a reason you may not have heard of it and why it’s currently not offered at Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care. Simply put, the jury is still out on Daxxify and, given how new it is, there aren’t enough studies or evidence to show how it compares to Botox. Still, a first-hand account is worthwhile and something to consider if you count on neuromodulators to stop and prevent lines and wrinkles.
For Caruso, she starts by stressing that she’s a “big fan of Botox—huge.” She has used it regularly throughout the past six years, only messing up her Botox routine during the peak of COVID. She says, “Like most users, I love how Botox smooths my fine lines and keeps deeper wrinkles from forming.” However, it also takes Botox 1 – 2 weeks to fully “work” and it can wear off in a few months depending on how many units are injected and the injection site. The FDA just approved Daxxify, and Caruso had heard stories about how well it worked. But what’s the difference between the two injectables?
Neuromodulator Differences
All neuromodulators that have FDA approval report a high patient satisfaction rate. Of course, everyone wants the result to last as long as possible. In clinical studies, Daxxify (also known as Daxi) lasts six months on average. That is longer than Botox and competitors like Dysport, Jeaveau, and Xeomin. It allegedly lasts longer because of the number of peptides in the formula, although this change does not shift how it’s delivering the botulinum toxin to the nerve cells. Instead, peptides can help to foster the interaction between the injectable and the nerve cells. Peptides are positively charged, binding to the core neurotoxin that is negatively charged (along with the nerve cells, which are also negatively charged). Some say this means longer-lasting results.
Also, right now Daxxify is only FDA approved for treating the glabellar lines, also known as the “angry 11’s” between the brows. Botox is approved for many more areas. This may or may not make a difference to users since neuromodulators are typically used off-label, meaning that patients regularly have them injected in other areas. Caruso went to a clinic that has been offering Daxxify since December, and has thus far only tried it on staff as well as “well-established patients with a history of success using other neurotoxins.” The team there also pointed out that only patients who wanted “less mobility for a longer period of time” were offered Daxxify as an option, since that isn’t the goal for everyone.
One Person’s Daxi Journey
Caruso reports, “Because I’m not particularly enthusiastic about looking frozen, [the injector] used a light hand on me—26 units, to be exact—distributed between my forehead (technically an off-label use) and my 11 lines.” She points out that, “This is only 65 percent of the FDA-approved, 40-unit dosage used to treat the area between the brows alone.” Compared that to Botox, whose FDA approval for between the brows is just 20 units. However, FDA approval is largely based on the strength of the neurotoxin. In this case, 20 units of Botox is the “same” strength as 40 units of Daxxify between the brows.
Daxi is anecdotally known amongst injectors who have used it to give a more “immobile” and “glossy” look to the injection site. This is crucial in deciding not only which neuromodulator to use, but how many units. Daxi is not being used for more creative results, such as the lip flip, since nobody really knows how the results would look.
Caruso’s Daxxify Results
There is no real-world data yet to see how long Daxxify works or how quickly you see results. For Caruso, she says within 24 hours “the effect was significant.” She estimates that it was fully in effect after three days of being injected. However, that comes with a price—the cost of Daxxify depends on the location, but on average it costs 50 – 100 percent more than Botox. If cost is a factor in your decision, the best-case scenario is that you will spend the same in a year for neuromodulators.
Caruso says she’s obviously still waiting to see how long her results last. Until then, most people are waiting for others to report on their success rates before trying something so new. For now, Botox remains the gold standard, and you can book your appointment at Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care by calling the office or completing the online contact form.