Not medical advice. Every face metabolizes neurotoxins differently — the right product for you is the one your injector recommends after seeing your muscle strength, dose history, and goals in person.
The five FDA-approved wrinkle relaxers, at a glance
All five products in this guide are botulinum toxin type A. They all work the same way — temporarily blocking the nerve signal that tells a muscle to contract — so the underlying skin can smooth out and stop reinforcing dynamic lines (11s between the brows, crow's feet, forehead lines). What differs is the accessory protein around the toxin, how quickly it "kicks in," how it spreads, and how the unit-to-unit pricing works.
Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA)
The original. FDA-approved for glabellar lines since 2002 and the most-studied neurotoxin on the market. Onset is typically 5–7 days with full effect at 14 days, and results last about 3–4 months. Botox is our default for first-time patients because dosing behavior is highly predictable across most faces.
Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA)
Approved in 2009. The molecule is smaller and diffuses slightly wider than Botox, which many injectors like for broad forehead work. Onset is faster — patients often see softening in 2–3 days, with full effect by 7–10 days. Duration is comparable to Botox at 3–4 months. Dysport uses different units than Botox (roughly a 2.5–3:1 ratio), so the unit count on your invoice will look higher — that's expected, not more expensive.
Jeuveau (prabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs)
Approved in 2019 and marketed specifically for aesthetic use (Botox and Dysport are also used therapeutically for migraines, hyperhidrosis, and cervical dystonia). Onset and duration mirror Botox — about 5–7 days to kick in, 3–4 months of effect. Jeuveau is often our cost-friendly pick for patients who want a Botox-equivalent result without paying for the brand premium.
Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA)
Approved in 2011. Xeomin is a "naked" neurotoxin — the accessory proteins that surround the active molecule in Botox, Dysport, and Jeuveau have been stripped out. Two practical consequences: the theoretical risk of building antibodies (which is what causes some long-term patients to stop responding to Botox) is lower, and Xeomin doesn't require refrigeration before reconstitution. Onset is 4–7 days; duration is 3–4 months. We often recommend Xeomin for patients who feel Botox has "stopped working" for them.
Letybo (letibotulinumtoxinA-wlbg)
The newest FDA-approved neurotoxin (approved 2024 for glabellar lines). Manufactured by Hugel — the #1 neurotoxin in South Korea, where it has 10+ years of clinical use as Botulax. Onset is fast — typically 2–4 days, comparable to Dysport — and duration matches the field at about 3–4 months. Letybo is often the most affordable option per unit at U.S. clinics because Hugel is aggressively pricing to enter the market. Unit-to-unit, Letybo doses roughly 1:1 with Botox.
Side-by-side comparison
| Product | FDA year | Onset | Duration | Unit ratio to Botox | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botox | 2002 | 5–7 days | 3–4 months | 1:1 | First-timers, predictable dosing |
| Dysport | 2009 | 2–3 days | 3–4 months | ~2.5–3:1 | Broad forehead, patients wanting fast onset |
| Jeuveau | 2019 | 5–7 days | 3–4 months | 1:1 | Cost-conscious patients wanting Botox-like results |
| Xeomin | 2011 | 4–7 days | 3–4 months | 1:1 | Patients who've become resistant to Botox |
| Letybo | 2024 | 2–4 days | 3–4 months | 1:1 | Fast onset at a lower price point |
How unit pricing translates to total cost
Neurotoxin is priced per unit, not per treatment. See our transparent price list for current per-unit rates at Juvly. Typical dose ranges for the three most-treated areas:
- Glabellar (11s between the brows): 20 units Botox / Jeuveau / Xeomin / Letybo, or 50–60 units Dysport
- Forehead lines: 10–20 units Botox / Jeuveau / Xeomin / Letybo, or 25–50 units Dysport
- Crow's feet (both sides): 20–24 units Botox / Jeuveau / Xeomin / Letybo, or 50–60 units Dysport
Because Dysport uses smaller units, a "Dysport is more expensive" invoice is almost always an apples-to-oranges read — the total treatment cost usually lands within 10–15% of the equivalent Botox appointment.
Which one should you choose?
- You've never had a neurotoxin: we usually start with Botox or Jeuveau — the dosing math is straightforward and the response curve is very predictable.
- You want to see results before an event next week: Dysport or Letybo, for their 2–4 day onset.
- You feel Botox "stopped working" for you: Xeomin is the strongest candidate, because it's the least likely to trigger antibody resistance.
- You're price-sensitive: Jeuveau or Letybo, which typically carry the lowest per-unit price at most U.S. clinics.
- You get big-area treatments (full forehead + glabellar + crow's feet): Dysport's diffusion pattern often gives a smoother spread across large muscle groups.
What to expect at your appointment
Every wrinkle-relaxer appointment at Juvly starts with a movement assessment — we ask you to raise your brows, frown, and squint, so your provider can see where your muscles are actually pulling. That map determines dosing, injection points, and which product is the best fit. The injections themselves take about 10 minutes; there's no downtime and you can drive yourself back to work. Avoid lying flat, working out, or heavy alcohol for the rest of the day.
Book a free wrinkle-relaxer consultation with a board-certified provider at any of our 11 locations, and we'll walk you through which product fits your face, your goals, and your budget.