In late 2022, the FDA approved Daxxify, a Botox-like injectable for facial wrinkle and line reduction in adult women and men. It is in a family of aesthetic injectables known as neuromodulators, which include Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin. However, the impact these established injectables typically have are similar but slightly different due to unique formulations. With the very recent FDA approval, Daxxify or “Daxi”, is only currently available in limited select markets and offices. The Derm Institute and Dr. Annie Chiu is proud to be one of the exclusive offices with early access for patients who are looking to be treated with Daxxify.

What is Daxxify?

Daxxify, also referred to as “Daxi,” is a similar neuromodulator to those brands on the market that we are already familiar with, like Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin. The critical difference is that a peptide is attached to the neurotoxin, which allows muscles to absorb and uptake more of the active ingredient.

Daxxify is used to treat frown lines (the “11s”), forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, neck bands, and any other dynamic wrinkle  just like the established neurotoxins we’ve used for years. It can also decrease sweating in your palms and armpits and help reduce grinding or TMJ symptoms, just like its predecessors.

So, what’s different about Daxi? In clinical trials submitted to the FDA for approval, eighty percent of participants using Daxxify had benefits for up to 6 months, which is almost double the duration of current neuromodulators on the market, such as Botox and Dysport, which on average last 3-4 months. Daxxify allows patients to have more flexibility in choosing the best wrinkle treatment specifically to their lifestyle its increased duration of results. This is ideal for patients who have busy lifestyles and easier maintenance. Here is more information we think you should know about Daxi.

1: Botox Comparison

All neurotoxins need proteins to help penetrate targeted muscles and wrinkles, and Botox and Dysport use certain accessory proteins for that job. However, Daxxify is the first neuromodulator to use a unique peptide to make Daxxify longer-lasting. Formulated without albumin, Daxxify is also the first and only vegan neurotoxin on the market today.

Daxi or Daxxify was originally developed as a topical alternative medication to offer Botox benefits–scientists attached a peptide to the neurotoxin to help increase the product absorption into the skin and muscle. While this topical variant did not achieve enough penetration through the skin, scientists discovered that their new formulation offered superior wrinkle-reducing benefits when injected into the targeted muscle.

2: Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Daxi?

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Annie Chiu says almost anyone who has used  Botox or Dysport or is looking for dynamic wrinkle reduction (most commonly in areas like the glabella, crow’s feet, or forehead, will be suitable candidates for Daxxify. In addition, she points to patients who have short-term Botox duration of benefits because of a higher metabolism as being particularly good candidates. Also, some patients have particularly longstanding or stubborn etched lines, especially in the glabella or “11s” of frown lines between the brows, Daxxify can be used for not only better results, but the longer duration will lead to a retraining of these muscles and produce a more softened relaxed effect at baseline. But, of course, this is a conversation longtime Botox users would need to have with Dr. Chiu during a consultation to see what neuromodulators are best for them. At The Derm Institute, Dr. Annie Chiu uniquely customizes different brands of neuromodulators in different areas of the face, offering a bespoke treatment with the best combination of results and duration that is best for your unique features and lifestyle. 

3: Daxxify Treatment Sites

Dr. Chiu recommends Daxi to her patients who are looking for longer-lasting with outcome duration compared to their current Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, or Xeomin regimen. Daxxify can be used for any area with dynamic wrinkles, most commonly it is the glabella aka frown lines, forehead horizontal lines, and crow’s feet, but like all neuromodulators, Daxi can be artfully used to balance the entire face, including treatment of masseters or TMJ, neck bands, neck tightening, downturned mouth, gummy smiles, to induce a lip flip or brow lift, decrease bunny lines, and chin peppling. Dr. Chiu’s unique style is full face and neck evaluation and treatment for true harmony and optimization, not just the basic areas that most injectors are limited to treating.

Daxxify’s potential is specifically promising for women and men looking to sustain a relaxed forehead with fewer visits to the office. Daxxify is currently only being offered in a select group of offices in the United States, and as a key opinion leader in aesthetics, Dr. Chiu is pioneering the use of longer-lasting Daxxify. With multiple neuromodulators now on the market, treating wrinkles in a natural way has become a complex treatment to perfect, and it takes a well-trained and artistic injector who understands skin structure and facial anatomy.

4: Alternative Uses For Daxi

Like Botox, Daxxify has alternative uses that help our patients deal with medical issues and aesthetics. These treatments are designed to help adults with their quality of life. They include:

Grinding or Clenching of the Jaw (TMJ) 

Treatment of the jaw muscles can help with aching, soreness, or headaches associated with teeth grinding. Daxxify treatment in masseters can be used both symptomatically and to create a more slender, heart-shaped lower face. 

Eyelid Spasms

With its benefits for blocking nerve endings, it also stops muscle spasms that may cause eyelid twitching. So patients with uncontrolled blinking and narrowed eyelids were the first to see benefits from neuromodulator injections.

Excess Sweating

Neuromodulators are excellent treatments to help patients who experience excessive sweating. If antiperspirant products don’t help much, then Daxxify can reduce this issue of excessive underarm sweating.

5: No Downtime

Daxi involves no downtime or significant recovery. You can return to your usual routine once we complete the treatment. Bruising is very uncommon. 

The Bottom Line

So the question is simple: Is Daxxify the new Botox?

Daxi is not a Botox replacement, but it will be another neuromodulator option to offer our patients a more customized approach to wrinkle and fine-line reduction. Now that Daxxify has FDA approval and works so well, it will allow our patients to have an additional option regarding dynamic wrinkles and fine lines. If you are looking for a longer-lasting alternative to botox with perhaps only twice-a-year treatments for maintenance, or you have found your current Botox duration to be unsatisfactory, Daxxify may be an option for you.

Taking the Next Step With Dr. Chiu

Neuromodulator treatments are an easy yet effective way for men and women to maintain their youthful complexion well into their 30s, 40s, and beyond. For more information, contact Dr. Annie Chiu at The Derm Institute in Redondo Beach, California, by calling (310) 939-9800 or contacting us online to schedule a consultation.