The first time I sat with a patient deciding between Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau, she pulled a folded sheet from her purse covered in forum notes and her friend’s texted advice. She wanted her frown lines softened before a wedding, feared a frozen forehead, and needed it to last through a long travel schedule. That is a familiar crossroads. These neuromodulators are siblings, not twins, and the details matter: dose conversion, spread characteristics, onset speed, price per unit versus price per area, and how each behaves in specific muscles.
This guide translates clinic reality into practical comparisons, so you can choose with confidence and know what to expect from your botox appointment, whether it is your first time botox session or a maintenance touch up.
The common thread: how these products work
Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau are all botulinum toxin type A products. They reduce dynamic facial wrinkles by temporarily relaxing targeted muscles. That “botox muscle relaxation” softens wrinkles caused by repetitive expressions, such as frown lines (the “11s”), forehead lines, and crow’s feet near the eyes. When dosed and placed well, they can also refine a gummy smile, soften chin dimples, ease jaw tension and teeth grinding from TMJ, and even slim a wider lower face by treating the masseter muscles.
Mechanistically, they block acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction, which limits the muscle’s ability to contract. The effect is gradual and reversible. Over about three to four months, nerve terminals sprout new connections, and movement returns. That timeline varies, and we will get into why.
What truly distinguishes them
The active molecule is the same, but the surrounding proteins, formulation, and diffusion behavior differ. Those subtleties drive why injectors sometimes prefer one brand for a broad forehead and another for a tight glabellar complex, or why you might notice slightly faster onset with one versus another.
- Botox Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) has been the market standard in the United States for decades. It contains accessory proteins that stabilize the toxin complex. Most injectors cut their teeth on Botox, so dosing norms and patient expectations are well established. In real life, that institutional memory matters. Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA) is known for a relatively fast onset for many patients and a slightly broader spread pattern in some areas. It is dosed in different units than Botox, so a Dysport “50 units” is not the same as Botox 50 units. For frown lines and forehead lines, injectors often appreciate its smooth blending, especially in thicker or more active foreheads. Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) is a purified “naked” toxin without complexing proteins. Some clinicians reach for it in patients who have experienced reduced response over time with other brands, although true neutralizing antibody formation is rare. Xeomin is stable at room temperature before reconstitution, which is a pharmacy advantage more than a patient one. Its clinical effect feels clean and precise when dosing is dialed in. Jeuveau (prabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs) entered the market later and positioned itself as a “modern” cosmetic option. It behaves similarly to Botox in most head-to-head experiences I have seen. Some practices offer competitive botox deals or Jeuveau specials from time to time, which can nudge a choice when cost is a major factor.
If you remember nothing else, remember this: your injector’s hands, planning, and judgement will influence your botox results more than brand selection alone.
How fast does each one work, and how soon do you see results
Most patients ask two questions at the chair: how fast does botox work, and how soon botox results show. Across brands, early changes often show within 2 to 5 days. Dysport tends to earn a reputation for quicker onset, sometimes noticeable at day 2 or 3. Botox and Jeuveau commonly reveal early softening by day 3 to 5. Xeomin’s onset is similar, though some patients describe a slightly more gradual ramp in the first week.
Full effect usually settles by the two week mark. That is why many clinics schedule a botox consultation follow-up or a quick check at two weeks Ann Arbor botox for first time botox users or after a major plan change. If a brow is still pulling asymmetrically, a conservative botox touch up can fine tune it.
How long does it last
Botox longevity depends on dose, muscle size and strength, product choice, your metabolism, and how expressive you are. Typical duration for frown lines ranges from 3 to 4 months. Forehead lines and crow’s feet can last similar periods, though heavy brow lifters sometimes see earlier motion creeping back at 8 to 10 weeks.
I counsel patients in ranges rather than guarantees:
- Many people enjoy noticeable botox results for about 12 to 16 weeks. Lighter doses used for subtle botox or baby botox may fade closer to 8 to 10 weeks. Higher doses in strong muscles, like masseter reduction for facial slimming or jaw tension, can persist 4 to 6 months, sometimes longer after repeat sessions.
If your schedule includes a big event, work backwards. For a wedding or photos, schedule the botox appointment 3 to 5 weeks ahead. You will catch the sweet spot at two weeks and have time for minor adjustments.
Spread, precision, and the art of “natural”
Each brand’s diffusion profile, combined with injection depth and volume, determines how the result “blends.” Dysport, in my hands, has a touch more lateral spread at the same unit-equivalent dosing, which can create that desirable airbrushed look across a broad forehead. Botox and Jeuveau feel very controllable in small areas like a lip flip or a targeted brow lift. Xeomin’s lack of complexing proteins can give a crisp edge in tiny, precise points, such as relaxing a single stubborn line without damping a whole region.
Natural looking botox means leaving strategic movement. I will often keep two to three millimeters of lateral frontalis activity so the brow still rises slightly when you emote. For crow’s feet, I avoid fully shutting down the zygomaticus attachments that lift the cheek during a real smile. Good injectors choreograph these microdecisions.
Dose conversions and why units do not match across brands
Patients get confused by the numbers. A common glabellar dose is 20 units of Botox, 20 of Xeomin, or 20 of Jeuveau, but Dysport’s labeling often lands around 50 to 60 units for the same region. That does not mean Dysport is “stronger” or “weaker,” only that the unit measurement is product specific. Across the forehead and crow’s feet, injectors use established internal conversions that map to clinical effect. You should not try to cross-compare price per unit across brands without accounting for those differences. Focus on total treatment price for a region and the provider’s plan.
The procedure, step by step
Patients new to botox injections want to know what to expect with botox from the moment they check in. A typical botox procedure includes brief photos for botox before and after comparison, a review of medical history, and a discussion of aesthetic goals. I ask about prior botox treatment, how long your last session lasted, and any botox side effects you have experienced. We map muscle movement by having you animate: furrow, raise, smile, squint. Then we mark safe injection points that respect anatomy like the orbital rim and brow depressors.
The injections themselves website feel like small pinches. Does botox hurt? Most patients rate it mild. Ice or vibration distraction helps. For the forehead and crow’s feet, it is over in a few minutes. You may see tiny blebs that settle within 10 to 20 minutes. I advise patients to stay upright for several hours, avoid heavy workouts that day, skip facial massages, and keep hands off the treated areas. Can I work out after botox? Light walking is fine, but postpone hot yoga, long runs, or inversions at least 24 hours.
Aftercare, recovery, and the two-week window
Expect a few red marks and occasional pinpoint bruising. Makeup can cover mild bruises after a couple of hours if the skin is intact. Headaches can occur the first day or two. For most people, botox recovery is minimal, and you can return to work immediately. If you bruise easily or take supplements that thin blood, ask about timing and preparation. Arnica can help some people with bruising, though evidence is mixed.
The botox results timeline usually follows a predictable curve. At 24 to 48 hours, you may feel an odd sensation of the muscles starting to “forget” how to contract. By day 5 to 7, lines look softer. At botox after one week, we often see 70 to 80 percent of the intended effect. At botox after two weeks, the result should be stable. If something looks off then, we fix it.
Areas and goals, from brows to jawline
Forehead lines are the most requested, and also the easiest to over-treat. Too much in the frontalis can drop the brows. Leaving a bit of lift maintains a natural arc, especially important for women and men who rely on brow elevation to open the eyes. For frown lines, we treat the corrugators and procerus between the eyebrows. That softens the vertical “11s” and slightly relaxes the central brow pull, sometimes creating a gentle botox brow lift.
Crow’s feet need finesse. Because these lines intersect with the muscles that raise the cheek and genuine smile, I often feather doses to reduce creasing without flattening expression. For a botox eye lift look, we can add subtle lateral brow support while respecting the frontalis dynamics.
Lip flip treatments relax the orbicularis oris just enough to roll the upper lip slightly outward. It is a fine line. Overdo it, and sipping through a straw feels sloppy for a week. Chin dimples, sometimes called an orange peel chin, respond well to small doses in the mentalis. Neck bands from platysmal pull can be softened in selected candidates, though this is advanced territory and not for every neck.
The jawline and masseter area deserve special mention. Botox for jaw tension or teeth grinding is common in patients with TMJ symptoms. Treating the masseter reduces clenching forces and, over a few sessions, may slim the lower face. Expect chewing fatigue on tough foods for a week or two at first. For facial slimming, results appear gradually as the muscle condenses, typically peaking by two to three months.
Beyond cosmetic uses, botox for migraine relief and botox for excessive sweating are powerful medical applications. For hyperhidrosis in the underarms, palms, or scalp, the treatment is more extensive but can be life changing. The effect often lasts longer than in facial areas, 4 to 6 months or more.
Safety, side effects, and realistic risks
Is botox safe? In qualified hands, yes, with a long track record and an excellent safety profile. Common transient effects include bruising, swelling, headache, tenderness, or temporary asymmetry. Botulinum toxin acts locally when injected correctly. However, rare complications happen. A droopy eyelid (ptosis) can occur if product migrates to the levator palpebrae. This risk is minimized by precise placement and aftercare that avoids rubbing. Most ptosis cases are mild and resolve over weeks; prescription drops can help lift the lid temporarily.
Other risks: a heavy brow if the frontalis is over-relaxed, an overly smooth or “frozen” look if doses are too high or not tailored to your facial animation, and changes in smile dynamics if perioral injections are misjudged. Allergic reactions are uncommon. Regarding botox long term use, the main considerations are gradual muscle weakening, which many patients appreciate as lines form less readily, and the possibility of diminished response in a small minority. Rotating injection sites, avoiding unnecessary booster doses, and spacing sessions appropriately reduce that risk.
Price, deals, and getting value
The botox cost question cannot be answered with a single number. Practices price by unit or by area. Per unit, prices in many cities range roughly from 10 to 20 dollars for Botox or Jeuveau equivalents, with Dysport units priced lower because more units are used for the same effect. Per area pricing might bundle the glabella or crow’s feet into a flat fee. If you see botox deals or botox specials that seem too good to be true, confirm that you are receiving a full, fresh dose from a reputable brand and that the injector has credentials. The cheapest botox offers can cost more if the result needs a second visit or if it looks unnatural.
A better way to think about the botox price is lifespan per dollar. If paying 300 dollars keeps you smooth and expressive for three months, that is different value than 200 dollars that fades in six weeks. Botox maintenance plans, loyalty programs, and seasonal promotions exist, but do not let cost alone pick the product. Prioritize a provider who listens and shows consistent, natural results.
Choosing the right brand for your face
Patient preference plays a role, but I anchor the choice on anatomy and goals. For a broad forehead that needs a soft blend, Dysport often shines. For a precise brow lift or small-area tweaks like a lip flip, Botox, Jeuveau, or Xeomin all perform well. In patients who say previous treatments felt “heavy” despite low doses, Xeomin’s precision sometimes feels better. If you had great success with one brand before, there is no obligation to switch. Consistency helps track your botox timeline and botox effect duration over months.
Pairing neuromodulators with fillers and skin treatments
Patients often ask about botox vs fillers. They serve different purposes. Botox softens dynamic wrinkles by reducing muscle pull. Fillers restore volume, contour, or fill static lines etched into the skin. For best botox results around the eyes or brow, skin quality matters too. Combining botox and fillers together can lift and smooth, but timing and order matter. I usually relax muscles first, reassess two weeks later, then add filler where needed. Microneedling, lasers, or chemical peels can complement botox for fine lines and pores. Micro botox, which places very dilute toxin superficially, can reduce oiliness and visible pores in select patients, though it is not a replacement for classic dosing in deeper muscles.
Preparation, first visit tips, and aftercare essentials
Before your session, avoid blood thinners when possible, including certain supplements like fish oil and high-dose vitamin E, for a week. Do not stop prescription medications without your physician’s guidance. Arrive makeup free if you can. Bring notes on any prior botox dosage and your timeline, including how fast you noticed changes and when you felt botox fading signs. Clear goals help, like wanting eyebrow lift without arch over-accentuation, or softer crow’s feet that still allow a genuine smile.
After your botox session, stay upright four hours, skip saunas and intense exercise for a day, and avoid facial massages or goggles pressing on treated areas. If a bruise appears, cold compresses in short intervals help first day, then warm compresses later. If something looks uneven at day 10 to 14, reach out. A small touch up can make the difference between good and great.
Myths and reality checks
Several botox myths persist. One is that stopping botox makes you look worse. It does not. When it wears off, you return to your baseline movement. Many patients perceive an improvement even at baseline after repeat treatments, likely because the skin had a rest from folding. Another myth is that botox is only for women. Botox for men is steadily growing, and plans adjust for male facial anatomy, often requiring higher doses in stronger muscles. A third myth says botox will eliminate every line. Static lines etched into the skin often need filler, resurfacing, or time with relaxed movement to soften.
Can botox be reversed? Not in the way filler can be dissolved, but the effect naturally recedes. If botox goes wrong, a skilled injector can balance muscles with strategic doses elsewhere and counsel you through the recovery period. Good pre-planning avoids that scenario.
When to return, and how often to get treated
When to get botox again depends on your goals. If you want consistent smoothing, every 3 to 4 months suits most people. If you prefer a more expressive cycle, you might wait until the third month when movement begins to return. For preventative botox or baby botox, where the aim is to slow the formation of etched lines rather than erase deep ones, lighter doses at longer intervals can be thoughtful. Over the first year, we calibrate your botox touch up interval to match how your muscles behave.
Situations where I pivot or pause
A few practical edge cases come up. If a patient arrives with a heavy lid and compensates with forehead lifting, I tread lightly on the frontalis to avoid dropping the brows. For those planning brow microblading or heavy goggles use soon after, we schedule botox earlier to prevent external pressure over fresh injection sites. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, we defer botox treatment based on current safety guidance. For people with neuromuscular disorders, we coordinate with their physicians. If someone is flying long haul the same day, I advise booking at least a day earlier to avoid pressure from sleep masks or neck pillows.
A brief, real-world comparison at the chair
Imagine two patients. The first has strong corrugators creating deep frown lines and moderate forehead lines. She wants softening with minimal downtime and prefers fast onset. Dysport or Botox would both work well. If she wants the earliest visible change before an event, Dysport may show first. If she loved her prior Botox results and values predictability, stick with Botox at similar dosing.
The second patient is a photographer bothered by masseter bulk and jaw tension from grinding. He eats steak weekly and does not want chewing weakness to surprise him on a shoot day. We schedule botox for TMJ on a Monday after his weekend bookings, start with conservative dosing on each masseter, warn about chewing fatigue for 7 to 10 days, and review at six weeks to judge symmetry and functional relief. The aesthetic contour change appears by two to three months.
Finding the right provider near you
Searching “botox near me” yields an overwhelming list. Experience counts, but so does listening. Look for clinicians who take standardized photos, discuss trade-offs, and can explain why they prefer a brand for a specific area on your face. Before-and-after galleries should show a range of ages and both botox for women and botox for men. Beware of one-size-fits-all dosing or pressure to buy more units than your anatomy needs.
Final thoughts from the treatment room
The best results come from matching product behavior to anatomy and goals, then executing with careful placement. Each of these neuromodulators can deliver natural looking botox when used well. If you value swift onset and broad blending, Dysport deserves a look. If you prefer precise, familiar dosing with long clinical history, Botox remains a stalwart. If you suspect sensitivity or want a minimal complexing protein profile, Xeomin is a solid option. If value and modern cosmetic positioning appeal, Jeuveau often matches Botox’s performance while coming with attractive offers.
Your face has its own vocabulary of movement. The aim is not silence, but a more eloquent expression, one that keeps personality and softens the distractions. With clear goals, a tailored plan, and honest expectations about botox risks and benefits, you can navigate the choices with confidence and enjoy results that feel like you on your best-rested day.