Neurotoxins in Charleston and Mt. Pleasant, SC

Some manufacturing details matter. In Xeomin, the toxin is separated from the accessory proteins that surround it in nature, leaving the 150 kDa toxin on its own.[2] Daxxify's toxin also comes without accessory proteins, and it is formulated with a 35-amino-acid peptide called RTP004. The label describes that peptide as an excipient that keeps the toxin from sticking to surfaces and helps it stay stable.[4] Dysport may contain trace amounts of cow's milk protein, so it is not used in people with that allergy.[3]

On paper, duration is where Daxxify stands out. In the SAKURA 1 and SAKURA 2 trials, 609 adults with frown lines were randomly assigned to 40 units of Daxxify or a placebo. Lines stayed at none or mild for a median of 24.0 and 23.9 weeks.[5] Those trials compared Daxxify with placebo, not other brands, and were funded by the manufacturer. A median also means half of people saw a shorter effect.

You may have read that Xeomin lasts up to six months, or that it works for people who “burn through” Botox. Its FDA label says neither: it gives a typical duration of up to 12 to 16 weeks, varying by person.[2] When a product seems to fade fast, we review dose, placement and timing before blaming the brand.

Each label also states that its units cannot be compared to or converted into units of another botulinum toxin.[1][2][3][4] The labeled doses for frown lines show why: 20 units of Botox Cosmetic, 20 units of Xeomin, 50 units of Dysport, and 40 units of Daxxify.[1][2][3][4] A bigger number is not a stronger treatment, and a lower price per unit says nothing about value on its own.

Hear from Megan

In the short video below, Megan talks about choosing among the neurotoxins offered at Solcara and why patients often settle on a favorite. It was posted in November 2023, before this page was rewritten. Think of it as an introduction, not medical advice: the product, dose and timing that suit you come from an exam and a conversation about your goals.

Safety: the boxed warning, common side effects, and reasons to wait

Every botulinum toxin product carries an FDA boxed warning. After injection, the effect can spread beyond the treated area and cause symptoms such as general weakness, double vision, drooping eyelids, and trouble swallowing, speaking or breathing, reported from hours to weeks after treatment.[1] Swallowing and breathing problems can be life threatening, and deaths have been reported.[1] If any of these happen after a treatment, get medical care right away.[4]

Everyday side effects are usually minor and short-lived. The American Academy of Dermatology lists swelling, redness, soreness and bruising, an uncommon mild headache, and, rarely, a temporarily droopy brow or eyelid when a nearby muscle weakens.[7] In the label trials, eyelid drooping occurred in 3% of people treated with Botox Cosmetic for frown lines, and headache in 6% of people treated with Daxxify.[1][4] Most people return to normal activities right away. The AAD advises not rubbing the treated area and waiting two hours before hard exercise.[7]

Some people need extra care or should wait. The labels warn that people with nerve and muscle disorders, such as ALS or myasthenia gravis, may be at higher risk of serious effects.[1][2] Some medicines, including aminoglycoside antibiotics and muscle relaxants, can strengthen the toxin's effect.[1] Treatment is not given into an infected area or to anyone allergic to a product's ingredients.[1][3] There are no adequate data on use during pregnancy or on breast milk, so tell us if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding.[1]

Spacing matters too. The Xeomin, Dysport and Daxxify labels say not to repeat treatment more often than every three months, and the Botox Cosmetic label notes that more frequent dosing has not been studied.[1][2][3][4] If you were treated elsewhere recently, tell us. Where you are treated matters as much as what is injected: the AAD warns that toxin bought online, or injected in a non-medical setting, can cause serious complications.[7]

Not sure which product fits, or whether you should wait? Call 843-981-0870. We will go over your health history and any past treatments, then suggest a product and dose, or tell you plainly if now is not the right time.

Natural results, treatment for men, and your first visit

A natural result is mostly about dose. The AAD notes that dermatologists inject just enough to relax the targeted muscles without affecting others, which lets people keep their natural expressions.[7] That is our goal as well: softer lines with your expressions intact, with the dose matched to your muscles and your goals rather than to a set number.

Men are treated here too, and dosing may be different. In a 2005 randomized study of 80 men with frown lines, doses of 40, 60 and 80 units of Botox were consistently more effective than 20 units, and higher doses did not raise the rate of side effects.[6] The labeled Botox Cosmetic dose for frown lines is 20 units, so a higher dose is a clinical judgment, and we will explain it if we suggest one. The aim stays the same for everyone: a rested look, not a startled or frozen brow.

Your first visit starts with a pre-treatment evaluation, before anything is drawn up. Expect questions about your health, medications, supplements and past toxin treatments, and a look at how your face moves. From there we will recommend a product and a plan, or tell you if a toxin is not the right tool for what bothers you. Injections are administered by a qualified medical professional.

You can be seen at our Mount Pleasant office on Bramson Court or at The Longevity Club on Rutledge Avenue in downtown Charleston. If your goals include skin texture and quality as well as lines, we can talk through how a neurotoxin fits with microneedling, chemical peels or a daily skin care plan.