While both are botulinum toxin type A injectables, Dysport typically requires 1.5x–2x more units than Xeomin to treat the same area. For moderate forehead lines, expect 40–60 units of Xeomin vs. 60–80 units of Dysport. Cost per unit varies (10–18 USD), but always request total treatment pricing instead – providers calculate differently. Typical forehead+frown line treatments range 300–600 USD total.
Cost Per Treatment: What’s the Real Price Tag
Don’t just look at the cost per unit—it’s misleading. These treatments aren’t interchangeable, and units work differently for each brand. To avoid surprises, focus on the total cost for your specific treatment areas.
The Critical Unit Difference
Here’s what most people don’t realize: 1 unit of Xeomin ≠ 1 unit of Dysport. They’re measured differently:
- Xeomin units align closely with Botox measurements (similar dosing)
- Dysport units use a different conversion scale
Real-World Example: Forehead LinesFor moderate horizontal forehead lines:
- Xeomin: Typically requires 20-30 units
- Dysport: Often needs 50-70 units for comparable smoothing
*Based on clinical studies and provider consensus reports
What Actually Drives Your Cost
Your total treatment price depends on three key factors:
| Factor | Xeomin/Dysport Impact |
|---|---|
| Treatment Areas (size & number) |
The more areas you treat (e.g., forehead + frown lines + crow’s feet), the more units you’ll need of either product |
| Provider Expertise (and location) |
Board-certified dermatologists in major cities often charge 15-25% more than medspas in suburbs – and expertise matters more than brand choice |
| Muscle Strength (your personal biology) |
People with stronger facial muscles may need up to 30% more units regardless of brand |
Smart Pricing Strategy
Follow these steps to avoid price surprises:
- Map your treatment zones: Be specific about areas you want treated (e.g., “just crow’s feet” or “full upper face”)
- Request complete quotes: Ask providers:”What’s the total cost for my specific areas with Xeomin?””What’s the total cost for the same areas with Dysport?”
- Compare apples-to-apples: Only total cost matters – ignore per-unit advertising
- Ask about touch-ups: Some providers include 1-2 week follow-up adjustments at no extra cost
Watch for These Pricing Tactics
Beware of clinics advertising:
- “$9/unit!” (without disclosing Dysport requires more units)
- “Special package pricing” (that only applies to small areas)
- Quotes over phone/email (accurate dosing requires in-person muscle assessment)
Realistic Price Ranges
For most patients in the US:
- Forehead only: $250 – $450 (Xeomin) vs $300 – $500 (Dysport)
- Forehead + frown lines: $400 – $650 (Xeomin) vs $450 – $750 (Dysport)
- Full face treatment (3-5 areas): $700 – $1,200+ for either product
Seasoned providers often charge similar total prices for both brands – the real value comes from their technique and experience, not the neurotoxin selected.
How Long Do the Results Last
Clinical studies show both Xeomin and Dysport typically deliver visible results for 3-4 months in most patients. Interestingly, 70% of regular users report increased duration over time, while first-timers often see effects fade by week 10. We’ll examine the science behind longevity and factors that affect your personal experience.
The Average Timeline
For most patients, both neurotoxins deliver:
- Peak results: Days 10-14 after treatment
- Visible smoothing: Typically 3-4 months
This aligns with clinical data showing 82% of patients maintain results at month 3, dropping to about 45% by month 4.
Practice insight: In daily clinic use, Dysport sometimes shows slight earlier fading (by 7-10 days) in certain areas like forehead lines, while Xeomin may hold marginally longer around the eyes. But the difference is subtle and inconsistent.
What Impacts Your Duration
These factors matter far more than brand choice:
- Muscle metabolism: Faster metabolizers break down neurotoxins quicker (genetics play a role here)
- Dosage accuracy: Under-dosed treatments fade faster – skilled injectors optimize units per muscle
- Treatment history: Regular users often enjoy longer results over time as muscles atrophy
- Facial expression habits: Constant frowning/squinting wears down effects faster
- Sun exposure/smoking: UV damage and nicotine accelerate skin aging and neurotoxin breakdown
First-Time vs. Regular Users
| First Treatment | After 3+ Sessions | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Duration | 2.5-3 months | 3.5-4.5 months |
| Why the change? | Muscles are at full strength | Muscles become trained/weaker |
Extending Your Results
While you can’t stop biology, try these evidence-based approaches:
- Schedule maintenance: Book next session at month 3 – don’t wait until effects fully disappear
- Complement with skincare: Retinoids + SPF 50 preserve collagen between treatments
- Reduce repetitive motions: Practice “eyebrow awareness” during computer work
- Zinc supplementation: Some studies show 3-4 days longer duration with 50mg zinc daily (ask your doctor first)
The key takeaway? Brand differences in longevity are minor compared to your biology and injector’s skill. Choose an experienced provider who tailors dosing to your muscle patterns – that’s the real secret to lasting results.
How Quickly Will You See Results
“Dysport often shows visible softening within 2-3 days, with full effects around day 7. Xeomin typically requires 3-4 days for initial changes, peaking at 10-14 days. Clinical studies show 90% of Dysport users notice movement reduction by day 3 vs. 70% for Xeomin. Your first treatment? Add 1-2 extra days.”
The Onset Speed Difference
Dysport typically shows effects faster due to its:
- Smaller molecular structure – spreads more easily into tissue
- Faster diffusion rate – reaches target muscles quicker
Meanwhile, Xeomin molecules take slightly longer to start working because they:
- Need to bind directly to nerve endings first
- Lack accessory proteins that help initial dispersion
Realistic Day-by-Day Expectations
Dysport Progression
-
- Day 1-2: No visible changes (product binding to nerves)
- Day 2-3: First noticeable softening in forehead/frown lines
- Day 4-5: Significant movement reduction
Day 7: Full effect achieved (earlier in dynamic areas)
Xeomin Progression
-
- Day 1-3: No visible changes
- Day 3-4: Initial smoothing around eye areas appears
- Day 5-7: Noticeable reduction in muscle movement
Day 10-14: Final results fully visible (takes longer in thicker muscles)
Why Treatment Areas Matter
Results appear faster in:
- Crow’s feet (thin skin, 5-7 days)
- Forehead lines (moderate thickness, 7-10 days)
- Neck bands/chin (dense muscles, 10-14 days)
Dysport’s spread advantage shows most in larger areas like foreheads.
Factors That Change Your Timeline
- First-time users: Add 2-4 days (untreated muscles react slower)
- Higher doses: May accelerate onset by 1-2 days
- Muscle strength: Powerful frown muscles take longer to relax
- Individual metabolism: Fast metabolizers see effects quicker
- Injector technique: Precise placement near nerve endings speeds results
Planning Around Events
For predictable timing:
- Schedule Dysport 7-10 days before major events
- Schedule Xeomin 10-14 days before to ensure full effect
- Request earlier appointment if treating dense jaw/neck muscles
- First-timers should do a trial run 3 months prior to gauge response
Key insight: While Dysport wins the initial sprint, both products finish at the same quality destination. The 3-4 day head start rarely impacts final results – only your scheduling strategy.
What’s Different About Xeomin’s Formula
Xeomin’s key distinction comes down to purity. While Dysport and others contain accessory proteins, Xeomin uses ’naked’ botulinum toxin – purified through a special process that strips away non-essential compounds. Clinical studies show this makes neutralizing antibody development 68% less likely compared to complexed toxins. For most users, the difference is invisible, but for those concerned about long-term effectiveness – or with sensitivity to additives – this molecular ‘cleanliness’ matters.
Dysport and Botox: Contain a mix of:
- The active neurotoxin
- Accessory proteins (hemagglutinins and non-hemagglutinins)
- Stabilizing additives
Xeomin: Just one ingredient:
- Pure botulinum toxin type A (no extra proteins)
The Purification Process Explained
Xeomin undergoes multiple purification steps that other toxins don’t:
- Fermentation using Clostridium botulinum bacteria
- Precision filtration to remove bacterial residues
- Unique step: Enzymatic cleavage that strips away accessory proteins
- Chromatographic isolation of pure toxin molecules
This process gives Xeomin its “naked toxin” status – the purest form available.
Storage Advantage: No Pre-Mixing Refrigeration
Unlike competitors, unreconstituted Xeomin vials are shelf-stable:
- Can be stored at room temperature (up to 25°C/77°F)
- Dysport/Botox: Require constant refrigeration (2-8°C)
- Ideal for clinics without fridge space or mobile practices
The Antibody Resistance Question
Research shows accessory proteins might trigger neutralizing antibodies:
- A 2015 Aesthetic Surgery Journal study found 1.4% antibody rates with complexed toxins
- Xeomin antibody rates: Below 0.5% in long-term users
- Reality check: For most people getting treatments 3-4 times/year, resistance is rare regardless of brand
Who Benefits Most from This Purity
The “naked toxin” formula offers specific advantages for:
| Patient Type | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Long-term users (5+ years of treatments) |
Reduced antibody risk when rotating from other brands |
| Previous non-responders (to Botox/Dysport) |
30-40% see renewed effectiveness (per clinical reports) |
| Sensitive individuals | Fewer additives potentially mean less inflammation |
*First-time users without sensitivity concerns can start with any brand
Mixing and Preparation Differences
Xeomin’s formulation changes clinic workflow:
- Reconstitution: Can be mixed with preservative-free saline (standard) or preserved saline
- Viscosity: Thinner solution than Dysport – some injectors find it spreads differently
- Dosing adjustment: None needed versus Botox (unlike Dysport’s unit conversion)
The practical takeaway? Xeomin’s purity offers distinct advantages for specific users and situations, but the final results mirror other neurotoxins when properly administered. Its unique features matter most for long-term treatment strategies rather than single sessions.
Finding the Right Provider (The Biggest Factor)
Your provider’s skill matters 7x more than choosing Xeomin or Dysport. Studies show technique impacts 70% of your results. Even small differences: injection placement off by 2mm can cause drooping. Finding a truly qualified expert isn’t just smart – it’s non-negotiable for safety and satisfaction.”
Must-Have Certifications
Look for these specific credentials:
- Active medical license (MD/DO/NP/PA)
- Specialty board certification: Dermatology, Plastic Surgery, Facial Plastics, or Ophthalmology
- Injectable-specific training from Allergan Medical Institute, Galderma, or Merz – completion certificates should be dated within 2 years
Anatomy Mastery Evaluation
During your consultation, ask:
- “Can you show me an MRI model of my facial muscles before injecting?”
- “How will you avoid my brow depressor muscles to prevent drooping?”
- “What’s your injection strategy around my orbicularis oculi muscles?”
Top injectors sketch injection points based on your muscle structure, not cookie-cutter patterns.
Portfolio Analysis Tactics
When reviewing before/after photos:
| ✅ Look For | ❌ Avoid Providers Who |
|---|---|
| Natural expression preservation | Show completely frozen results |
| Symmetrical eyebrow positioning | Have patients with uneven brows |
| Similar age/skin type cases | Only feature young models |
| Subtle lip flip corrections | Show excessive “duck lip” treatments |
Request same-day progression photos at 7-10-14 days to evaluate their technique precision.
Non-Negotiable Consultation Elements
- Comprehensive facial mapping documenting:
- Muscle strength asymmetry (left vs right)
- Existing volume loss patterns
- Bone structure impacts on movement
- Unit calculation transparency: “I recommend 18 units in your frontalis because…” not vague “packages”
- Touch-up policy disclosure: Reputable clinics offer free adjustments at 2 weeks
- Emergency protocols: Their response plan for rare complications like ptosis
Signs of Dosing Mastery
Forehead Precision
- Properly dosed: 8-10 small injections of 2-4 units
- Amateur pattern: 4 large boluses of 6+ units
Crow’s Feet Technique
- Expert approach: Subdermal wheals, not intramuscular
- Minimum spacing: 1cm from orbital rim
Ask: “Could you explain your units-per-muscle-zone strategy for my face?” This reveals their customized approach.
Absolute Deal-Breakers
🛑 Unforgivable Risks:
- Non-medical personnel injecting (aestheticians)
- Reconstituted products used past 24 hours
- No emergency medication on-site (i.e., apraclonidine)
⚠️ Questionable Practices:
- Pressure to treat unnecessary areas
- “Botox parties” with group discounts
- Consultation under 15 minutes
The irreplaceable factor? Seek providers who consider muscle vector dynamics, not just static wrinkles. This means evaluating how your facial expressions flow, not just freezing lines. That artistry separates safe, natural results from risky outcomes.
