Neurotoxin injections reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles caused by the aging process and hyper-functional muscles. Botulinum toxin, a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, is included in all neurotoxin products used in the beauty industry.

Botulinum toxin is used in both medicine and in medicine to treat certain neuromuscular disorders. When the toxin is injected into the muscle, it blocks nerve signals traveling to the muscles, resulting in a decrease in muscle activity. This smoothes out the wrinkled skin that existed before the injection and the effects last until the toxin is completely absorbed.

Most commonly used neurotoxins:

• Botox
• Dysport
• Xeomin

They are all different trade names for the same active compound isolated from the Botulinum toxin. They each have some distinguishing characteristics that make them better suited to one treatment or another.

New neurotoxin “Daxxify”

Revance Therapeutics has patented a new compound, Daxibotulinumtoxin A, marketed as Daxxify, is a new FDA-approved anti-wrinkle treatment. Daxxify, unlike other neuromodulators, is a long-lasting peptide-formulated product. The majority of Botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) injections, such as Botox, produce short-term cosmetic effects that last 3-4 months. A Daxxify treatment, on the other hand, can last up to 6 months on average and up to 9 months in some patients.

What is Daxxify?

Revance Therapeutics’ Daxxify, also known as DaxibotulinumtoxinA, is a new Botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) product of a biotechnology company. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the cosmetic use of Daxxify injections to treat glabellar forehead frown lines on September 8, 2022. Daxxify was approved by the FDA as the new botox alternative for 2022.

The new Daxxify product contains a highly purified form of Botulinum neurotoxin weighing 150 kilodaltons (kDa).

Daxxify is the first neuromodulator developed with peptide exchange technology, employing a stabilizing peptide (RTP004) as an excipient rather than human serum albumin (HSA). The RTP004 peptide increases the binding of Botulinum neurotoxin to nerve endings, extending the duration of its cosmetic effects.

Formula of Daxxify

Daxxify’s formula contains peptides, which are short chains of compounds called amino acids; as a result, it is the only neuromodulator that does not contain human serum albumin (a protein found in human blood) or animal-based components.

How does it work?

Daxxify, like other Botulinum neurotoxins, disrupts neural transmission that causes muscle contraction by blocking the signal from the nerves to the muscles. The contraction of muscles attached to the overlying skin causes several types of wrinkles. The deeper the wrinkles, the more strained the muscles.

Daxxify injection inhibits the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter required for muscle contraction, from presynaptic neurons. When the acetylcholine neurotransmitter fails to send a message to the facial muscles, they are unable to contract and remain relaxed. Muscle weakness or paralysis relieves strain on the overlying facial skin. As a result, the skin smoothes out and wrinkles and frown lines disappear.

What you need to know:

On thursday, Sept, 2022, FDA approved a new neurotoxin “Daxxify”

Uses:

Its used to treat moderate-to-severe-glabellar lines.

Formula:

It consists of Peptides. It is the only neuromodulator that is free of human serum albumin.

Mechanism of Action:

It works by inhibiting acetylcholine and blocking neuromuscular agent.

Competitors:

Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau

Daxxify is supported by clinical evidence

Dr. Arora was a sub-investigator in the Daxxify study. The safety and efficacy of anti-wrinkle Daxxify injections in treating glabellar frown lines were assessed in a large Phase 3 SAKURA clinical study. The study included 2,691 participants who received 3,830 Daxxify treatments in total.

The study found the following results:

• Only one week after a Daxxify treatment, more than 90% of participants had less visible wrinkles.
• After one month of treatment, almost 98% of all patients had little to no visible wrinkles. 
• After three months of treatment, more than 80% of participants were wrinkle-free.
• After six months, half of the participants had minimal wrinkles and frown lines.
• Some patients experienced results that lasted for up to 9 months (36 weeks).

Furthermore, none of the participants developed Daxxify-neutralizing antibodies. That is, the body’s immune system did not recognize the injected drug as a threat and therefore did not produce antibodies to combat it.

The authors concluded that the new DaxibotulinumtoxinA (Daxxify) is well tolerated by patients and has a high anti-wrinkle efficacy. Furthermore, the cosmetic benefits of Daxxify lasted an average of six months after a single treatment. As a result, Daxxify is effective and safe for use as a new anti-wrinkle treatment with longer-lasting results than other anti-wrinkle injections.

Daxxify’s effects last longer than Botox’s

Both products reduce the appearance of fine lines by using a neurotoxin to block nerve muscles. However, Daxxify provides results for a longer period. Participants had their frown lines softened for an average of 6 months before needing another treatment. Some patients stayed on the treatment for nine months.

The approval of Daxxify does not indicate the end of Botox. Some patients may prefer a shorter treatment if they are dissatisfied with the results and some providers may prefer Botox to avoid potential complications. It is important to consult your dermatologist about your options and preferences. 

Difference between Botox and Daxxify

The major difference is its chemical component. In Botox, a protein found in human blood called serum albumin, is present. The serum albumin aids in the stabilization of neurotoxins or poisons that change the structure or function of nerve tissue. Botox contains a small amount of neurotoxin, which temporarily blocks nerve impulses to facial muscles, weakening their movement and thus improving wrinkle appearance. Daxxify does not use human blood proteins to stabilize the neurotoxin. Daxxify employs a highly charged peptide, or small protein, that binds to the toxin via electrostatic force.

Another difference is the FDA-approved uses for the two substances.

Botox is approved by the FDA for a wide range of conditions, including:

• Chronic migraines
• Overactive bladder 
• Neck muscle spasms
• Severe underarm sweating

Botox treats a wider range of areas on the face including crow’s feet and the forehead, whereas Daxxify is only approved to treat frown lines.

While companies are not permitted to promote drugs for unapproved uses, doctors are free to prescribe medications for “off-label” uses.

Is daxxify more effective than Botox?

Not always. It all varies based on your search criteria. It’s also worth noting that comparing injectable formulations is difficult and subjective because everyone has different preferences, budgets, and ingredient sensitivities. If you’ve been very happy with your current neuromodulator and don’t want to try something different, stick with it. There’s no need to change. If you want the results to last longer, Daxxify may be worth a shot. It’s nice to have options.

Daxxify is Botox’s first competitor in 30 years. What was the hold-up?

Botulinum toxin A is used by Botox competitors, but the amount of blood-derived protein varies. Another cosmetic injection, Dysport, is intended for people with moderate to severe frown lines. Daxxify’s non-blood formula is the first breakthrough in neurotoxin-containing injections to improve wrinkles in 30 years. Because the peptide formula used in their technology is proprietary, other companies have been unable to experiment with it. COVID-19, according to a clinical professor of dermatology who was also an investigator on Daxxify clinical trials, delayed the company’s filing by 6-8 months.

Side effects of new neurotoxin Daxxify

The side effects are similar to those seen with other neuromodulators, such as

• Bruising
• Headache
• Eyelid ptosis

Because it has been shown to have longer-lasting effects, you may have to wait longer for those effects to fade if you are dissatisfied with the final result.

While most people are eligible for this treatment, dermatologists advise pregnant women to avoid it. Furthermore, if you’ve had negative reactions to other neuromodulators, you may want to avoid trying this one. As with any aesthetic treatment, seek out a licensed professional to perform the procedure to reduce the possibility of negative side effects.

Price of Daxxify

Pricing will vary depending on the provider. However, there is a prediction that it will be more expensive than other neuromodulators due to the higher cost to dermatologists who provide it. It may be slightly more expensive than other neuromodulators due to its longer duration of action.

Daxxify is coming soon: 2023

Dermatologists anticipate that this new neuromodulator will be widely available to patients in the United States by 2023. If you want to try the injectable, talk to your dermatologist.

Schedule an appointment with our providers for a consultation on neurotoxin treatments and options. Borealis Dermatology offers two convenient locations to provide various treatments for our patients in the Queens and Long Island areas. You can experience the highest medical and aesthetic expertise available through our treatment options by visiting our clinic.

References:

1. Audrey. What’s the Deal With Daxi, the New Neurotoxin Everyone’s Talking About? Retrieved from www.allure.com: https://www.allure.com/story/daxi-neurotoxin-nearing-fda-approval

2. Celia. Everything to Know About Daxxify, the New Injectable That Lasts Longer Than Botox. Retrieved from www.byrdie.com: https://www.byrdie.com/what-is-daxxify-6735916

3. Kevin. With long-awaited FDA nod, Revance set to take on AbbVie’s Botox with its longer-lasting Daxxify. Retrieved from www.fiercepharma.com: https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/long-awaited-fda-nod-revance-set-take-abbvies-botox-its-longer-lasting-daxxify

4. LESLIE. A new Botox competitor is coming soon. Here’s how it’s different from other treatments. Retrieved from www.miamiherald.com: https://www.miamiherald.com/living/health-fitness/article266203666.html

5. Melanie. The FDA Just Approved Daxxify, an Injectable Neurotoxin That Lasts Months Longer Than Botox. Retrieved from www.realself.com: https://www.realself.com/news/daxxify-botox-alternative