Botulinum toxin has been used in facial aesthetic treatment for more than 30 years! After Botox injections, many people have softer expressions and livelier, more radiant skin. If you want to use Botox to slim the face or calves, or to improve frown lines and crow's feet, which Botox brand should you choose? Why are prices so different, and what are the differences? This article breaks it all down for you!
The 4 major Botox brands:
Botox (USA)
Botox was developed and manufactured in the United States and is the earliest Botox brand, FDA-approved as early as 1989. It has been used worldwide for over 30 years, has the richest clinical experience and the highest market share, and is the No. 1 Botox brand on the market!
Botox's botulinum toxin is surrounded by protective proteins, making it a slower-diffusing formulation with high stability after injection. It suits facial areas, such as delicate sites around the eyes and the forehead, where treatment is more precise.
Dysport (UK)
Dysport, also called the "royal Botox," was developed and manufactured in the United Kingdom. It is also an early brand, FDA-approved in 2009, and is now approved in more than 50 countries worldwide.
Dysport has fewer surrounding protective proteins, so the core toxin of the botulinum can spread faster. It is suited to relaxing large areas of muscle, such as the masseter for face slimming, calves, and shoulders. Because it spreads faster, improvement is clear about 2-3 days after injection. Compared with Botox, it acts faster and is also more affordably priced.
Xeomin (Germany)
Xeomin, also called the "angel Botox," was developed and manufactured in Germany and received FDA approval in 2011. It gets the name because Xeomin is extremely pure after protein purification: unlike Botox and Dysport, it has no added surrounding protective proteins, only the botulinum toxin itself.
Some patients develop a protein allergy after Botox, and a few have antibodies to certain Botox brands, so the effect after injection is not obvious. These people are well suited to treatment with Xeomin. For moderate to severe frown lines, Xeomin also gives good treatment results.
Letybo (South Korea)
Letybo, also called the "boutique Botox," was developed and manufactured in South Korea and received FDA approval in 2009, but only launched in Taiwan in 2019. Letybo is currently the Botox brand with the highest market share in South Korea. Its botulinum toxin and surrounding protective protein structure are similar to Botox, and its results and stability after injection are about the same.
Compared with European and American Botox brands, Letybo's selling point is that it is better suited to Asian constitutions. Together with the strong export of Korean pop culture, Taiwanese consumers have a certain trust in Korean brands, which is why Korean Botox has been able to take a place in the Taiwan market.
For people trying aesthetic injectables for the first time, or those with a budget limit, Letybo has a big advantage: Korean Botox is more affordably priced, at least 20-30% cheaper than European and American brands. Multiple clinical studies and journal papers also confirm Letybo's safety, with efficacy and duration not inferior to European and American brands, making it a new high-value choice for people in Taiwan.
| Brand | Botox | Dysport | Xeomin | Letybo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | USA | UK | Germany | South Korea |
| FDA approval | Yes (1989) | Yes (2009) | Yes (2011) | Yes (2009) |
| Storage | Refrigerated, 2-8°C | Refrigerated, 2-8°C | Before reconstitution: 20-25°C After reconstitution: 2-8°C | Refrigerated, 2-8°C |
| Time to take effect | 5-7 days | 3-5 days | 2-4 days | 5-7 days |
| Duration | About 3-6 months, varies by individual | |||
| Units per vial | 50 / 100 U | 300 / 500 U | 50 / 100 U | 100 / 200 U |
| Price | NT$200-225 per unit | NT$170-200 per unit | NT$150-180 per unit | NT$100-150 per unit |
| Best for | Delicate areas | Large areas | Delicate areas | All areas |
How should you choose among the 4 major Botox brands?
If the area to be injected is the face, such as delicate sites around the eyes or the forehead, Botox is the best choice: it is highly stable after injection and does not spread easily, so treatment is precise and does not affect other muscles.
If the area is a large muscle, such as the masseter for face slimming or the calf muscles, Dysport is more suitable. It spreads quickly, and results appear in about 2-3 days.
If you have had an allergic reaction to Botox, or your body has developed antibodies to botulinum toxin, the only option is Xeomin, which has the purest protein, for treatment. If you have a budget limit, Letybo, with the lowest cost, is the first choice for budget-conscious people.
Every Botox brand has its pros and cons, and using a single Botox brand over the long term may lead to resistance and unsatisfactory results. You can switch brands for different areas and needs, but be especially careful: if the price is too cheap, check whether the botulinum toxin is too low in concentration, so that you do not think you got a bargain when in fact the Botox treatment is ineffective.
This article is for general information only. Results vary from person to person; please consult a doctor in person before deciding on any treatment.
