For anyone who enjoys the effects of a neurotoxin shot, whether it be Xeomen, Botox, or Dysport, the news of faster-acting wrinkle erasers will spark interest. Editor Trudi Brewer seeks the advice of a top cosmetic doctor to clarify whether faster is better, and if these newbies are the beginning of line-smoothing longevity.
From crow’s feet to frown lines, today you do not have to look in the mirror and dislike what you see. However, when it comes to options, faster neurotoxins are entering the market, but all are only as effective as the skill of the injector. Here we share the world of speedy options with top cosmetic doctor Ellen Selkon from Clinic42, who shares her advice.
In a world where speed is a driving force in many aspects of our lives, news that fast-acting, longer-lasting neurotoxins are available for smoothing lines and wrinkles did catch our attention. Two already available offshore are Daxxify (the US offering) and Alluzience (the UK offering), but are they better than what has been on offer for decades, with a proven track record of efficacy and safety?
Before we unpack these speedy newbies, here’s what’s already at our fingertips. Let’s reflect on what has been smoothing lines and wrinkles for decades: Botox, Dysport and Xeomin.
Perhaps the most commonly known is Botox. With a solid safety record, it was the first neurotoxin used medically for eye muscle disorders in the 1970s, gaining FDA approval for cosmetic use thirty years later. Another is Dysport, which has been used for cosmetic treatments in Europe since the 1990s and received FDA approval in the United States in 2009. Another, gaining popularity here in New Zealand, is Xeomin. It has also undergone over two decades of clinical investigation, has been used in 70 countries, and has established a long-term safety and efficacy profile for smoothing facial wrinkles.
Back to the faster, longer-lasting options, Daxxify is often referred to as Daxi and Alluzience. Dr. Ellen Selkon from Clinic42 in Epsom, Auckland, is well-versed in the latest cosmetic medicine treatments and has this to add. “We don’t have Daxxify and Alluzience in New Zealand; they are not registered here. Alluzience is definitely not coming here, and he only difference between Alluzience and Dysport is that Alluzience comes in an already mixed liquid form. However, Galderma (the makers of Dysport) are in the process of registering Relfydess. This is a completely new neurotoxin that is 100 per cent pure, with no human or animal excipients present. It comes in a liquid form (like Alluzience and Dysport), which eliminates the risk of injector error when mixing, and offers a faster onset between one and three days. When used in the correct dose, it lasts six months in the crow’s feet and glabellar lines. Another benefit is that it’s ideal for anyone who is busy and only wants to visit the clinic twice a year, or those who need to look good for an unplanned event, or don’t get an adequately long-lasting result with their current neurotoxin.”
Dr. Selkon believes being tempted by faster and longer-lasting cosmetic medicine is not always the best option; there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to neurotoxins. “I use Dysport in 90 per cent of my patients. It lasts longer and gives a lovely diffused look. It is less painful than the other toxins as you only need to inject half the volume, and it is more cost-effective. However, I have seen the results of Relfydess and I know quite a few of my patients will definitely want that almost instant effect and longer-lasting treatment.”
This area of treatment technology is constantly evolving. Dr Selkon believes the options for wrinkle erasing will become endless. ”We will be using a mix of toxins in the future. People who receive five months of Dysport treatment are likely to remain with the brand; however, those who receive only two to three months of treatment are more likely to switch. Additionally, certain areas, such as the lips and forehead, don’t last as long because we can’t use larger doses; therefore, these areas may now be treated with Relfydess, as we would usually only achieve two to three months of treatment in those areas, but now we may get a longer-lasting result.” She adds, “Another treatment option is hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), which is where those long-lasting results will be helpful.” Finally, what will a faster and potentially longer-lasting toxin set you back in terms of cost? “They will be slightly higher priced, but we are not yet sure of the exact cost, and if something does go wrong, the side effect will last a bit longer. It’s important to note that when discussing Neurotoxin preferences, it’s essential to understand options, what is cost-effective, and what works best, as each injector has preferences for specific toxins.”
Is the future of wrinkle relaxers faster with longer-lasting results? We ask a doctor to explain.