Are Daxxify units the same as Botox units?
No, Daxxify units are not the same as Botox units. Both products are FDA-approved injectable botulinum toxins for reducing the lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines). However, each botulinum toxin brand, like Botox, Daxxify, Dysport, and Xeomin, uses its own unique unit system. That means 1 unit of Botox does NOT equal 1 unit of Daxxify. You can’t switch from one to the other using a simple dose conversion. These products are not interchangeable unit-wise. Understandably, this can create considerable confusion for patients.
Why aren’t units between Botox and Daxxify the same?
Because each botulinum toxin product has a unique formulation and manufacturing process, the way its potency is measured, and the meaning of a “unit,”is specific to that brand. Units aren’t based on weight or concentration but on biological effect determined using proprietary lab assays developed by each manufacturer. Each manufacturer’s proprietary assay assesses how much of the product is required to produce a specific outcome in a controlled model system. As a result, units from one brand cannot be directly compared or converted to another. What counts as “20 units” of Botox doesn’t translate to 20 units of Daxxify or Dysport.
What makes Daxxify different from Botox?
Daxxify is uniquely formulated with a proprietary peptide stabilizer rather than the traditional human serum albumin used in Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin. This formulation may help the nerve terminal, the spot where the botulinum toxin needs to act, hold onto the active ingredient more effectively. By helping the neurotoxin stay in place longer, the treatment’s effects may be stronger or last longer. But while this design can extend duration in many patients, it’s not a universal outcome. Here’s what makes Daxxify scientifically distinct:
Peptide-stabilized formulation:
Daxxify is the first FDA-approved botulinum toxin that uses a peptide-based excipient to stabilize the 150 kDa active neurotoxin, rather than human serum albumin (HSA). In preclinical studies, Revance Therapeutics (Daxxify’s manufacturer) reported that this peptide helps deliver the active compound more efficiently to the neuromuscular junction and prolongs its residence time at the site.
Why this might matter:
The longer the active neurotoxin stays at the neuromuscular junction, the more opportunity it has to block the signals that tell muscles to contract. By acting on more nerve endings before Daxxify is broken down and cleared from the body (like any medicine), the treatment may lead to more complete or longer-lasting muscle relaxation in some patients.
But, and this is the nuance that matters, clinical trials report medians and ranges, not guarantees. While some people experienced longer-lasting results with Daxxify, others saw durations that were similar to Botox (3–4 months). And that’s not a failure of the product; it’s a reflection of biological diversity. Just to be clear, there is in fact a subset of patients in whom Daxxify may last 6-9 months, this is not the case for every patient. As a result, if you try Daxxify and it only lasts 3-4 months, that is not a failure of the product (or the injector) it’s a reflection of biologic diversity.
Why might Daxxify and Botox last the same amount of time for some people?
Even though Daxxify’s formulation is novel, its effect still depends on your body’s response. Several factors influence how long the neurotoxin actually works:
Receptor turnover at the neuromuscular junction
Neurotoxins like Daxxify and Botox work by cleaving SNARE proteins, preventing nerve-muscle communication. But your body actively repairs these connections, and the speed of this repair varies between individuals. If your synaptic turnover is rapid, the neurotoxin’s duration is shortened-regardless of formulation.
Nerve receptor saturation
There’s a threshold to how many nerve terminals can be cleaved (“turned off” so the muscle doesn’t move). Once these are saturated, adding more neurotoxin or altering the formulation (e.g., with peptides) might not meaningfully increase the duration. This is why dose doesn’t scale linearly with effect.
Metabolism and clearance
Some people metabolize neurotoxin proteins more rapidly due to factors like age, sex, physical activity, or immune system conditioning. In particular, a highly active or sensitized immune system may recognize the peptide-protein complex as foreign and begin clearing it before it fully achieves its nerve-blocking effect—ultimately reducing how long the results last.
Area of treatment and muscle strength
In dynamic areas like the forehead or around the mouth, where muscle activity is strong and more frequent, any neurotoxin may wear off faster. Botulinum toxins of any brand tend to last longer in areas such as the glabella (the “eleven lines” between the eyebrows).
Patient selection and trial bias
Clinical trial populations are carefully selected to meet inclusion criteria-often healthy, sometimes with minimal prior exposure to neurotoxins. In real-world use, variability is higher. People with long-term toxin use, certain health conditions, or unique facial anatomy might respond differently.
Bottom Line: Don’t compare units—compare outcomes.
Neurotoxin dosing isn’t about the number of units. It’s about:
- The product’s formulation
- Your facial muscle activity
- Your biology
- Your injector’s technique and experience
If you’re curious about trying Daxxify, or switching from Botox, talk with your provider about your goals, treatment history, and whether a longer-lasting option fits your lifestyle.
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