What's the Deal With Daxi, the New Neurotoxin Everyone's Talking About?

syringes upWhat's the Deal With Daxi, the New Neurotoxin Everyone's Talking About?Daxi is about to be approved by the FDA. Here's everything you need to know about the longer-lasting injectable.

By Audrey Noble

April 15, 2022

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Neurotoxin injections can help with a bounty of concerns, both cosmetic and medical. It relaxes muscles to reduce the appearance of fine lines for smoother skin texture, and it can even target and curb excessive sweating and migraines. The biggest drawback to investing in any neurotoxin, though, is that its benefits only last for a short period of time (i.e. a few months) before the body metabolizes the injectable. Should you decide to re-up every time it wears off, the basic upkeep can get tiresome and — most importantly — expensive. 

But we come with good news: There's a new neurotoxin on the horizon that could completely change the aesthetic treatment game: meet, DaxibotulinumtoxinA, a.k.a., Daxi.

"DaxibotulinumtoxinA is poised to disrupt the neurotoxin market. The consumer experience for neuromodulator products has remained unchanged since botulinum toxin type A treatments were first introduced over 30 years ago," writes a representative from Daxi's parent biotech company, Revance, in an email to Allure. "We believe that a long-lasting neuromodulator product will fill a significant, unmet need in both aesthetics and therapeutics."

But before you go book an appointment with your dermatologist, you should know that this new neurotoxin is still pending approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We turned to the experts to learn everything and anything about Daxi before it hits the clinics, so read on for the details.

Meet the experts:

• Bruce Katz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at the Juva Skin and Laser Center in New York City.
• Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City.
• Sabine Lovell, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon at Muse Plastic Surgery in Atlanta, Georgia.

What is Daxi, and how does it work?

Sabine Lovell, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon at Muse Plastic Surgery in Atlanta, Georgia, explains that Daxi is a novel botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) and is in clinical development for therapeutic and aesthetic purposes. Similar to other neurotoxin treatments such as Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau, Daxi blocks the nerve signals that cause muscles to contract, decreasing painful muscle spasms which then result in tightening the skin.

"Daxi can help smooth fine lines on the face for a younger-looking appearance," says Bruce Katz MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Juva Skin and Laser Center in New York City. Dr. Katz, who was also one of the first dermatologists to clinically study Daxi, explains that it is formulated with a proprietary protein, which the toxin that paralyzes the muscle is attached, causing the longer-lasting results.

You can use Daxi in the same areas (like the forehead and crow's feet) you would normally get other neurotoxins injected — depending on which label the FDA approves — as it performs pretty much the same way, just for longer. "I'll be using Daxi on patients' crow's feet, horizontal forehead wrinkles, the forehead one and 11s [or glabellar lines], as well as the corners of the mouth," he says. Preparing for a Daxi appointment and its aftercare is also similar to that of when you get other neurotoxins injected.

Revance adds that the injection does not contain any human or animal-based components. The biotech company tells Allure that it expects people treated with Daxi may achieve frown line corrections all year long with as few as two treatments once approved by the FDA.

How is Daxi different from other neuromodulators?

The most striking difference between Daxi and other neuromodulators like Botox is its long-lasting results. Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City, explains that studies show that movement in the face return on average around six to seven months, as opposed to the average of three months with other neuromodulators.

Dr. Katz adds that in the FDA trials, he's noticed patients experience even better skin results than those who used other neurotoxins. "With some neurotoxins, there is a line of demarcation that shows you where the treatment ends relative to the surrounding areas," he says. "Daxi seems to have a smoother transition from the treated area to the untreated area."

Are there any downsides or risks?

If you've already had Botox or other neuromodulator treatments, then you can pretty much expect the same possible side effects, such as mild bruising and drooping eyelids or brows, with Daxi. Dr. Katz adds that some people have reported getting headaches after treatment, but these cases are rare and the headaches ultimately go away.

He advises that those with nerve disorders in the face, like multiple sclerosis (MS), stay away from Daxi, but otherwise deems it safe for most people to use. Dr. Garshick adds that it might not be the best option for those who just want to test out how facial injections look and feel, as the effects last longer than Botox and other neurotoxins.

"For those who are just trying out neuromodulators for the first time, a longer duration of action may not be ideal if you just want to see how you like it," she says. "Similarly, if you experience any side effects, such as an eyelid droop also known as ptosis, or are not pleased with the treatment, it theoretically may take longer for the side effects to subside."

As with any procedure, Dr. Katz stresses the importance of going to a provider who specializes in these aesthetic injections to minimize the risk of negative side effects. "Daxi paralyzes the muscle and prevents movement, so if it is injected in the wrong area, there is the risk of ending up with a drooping eyelid or eyebrow," he says. "It's important to go to a practitioner who is versed in administering neurotoxins to ensure correct placement."

When will Daxi be FDA-approved?

Hopefully soon. According to Revance, the company resubmitted its Biologics License Application to the FDA on March 8 and is waiting for final approval. Both Dr. Katz and Dr. Lovell say that it could be approved by the end of this year, with pricing based on the practitioner providing it.

Be sure to keep this guide handy while you wait. If you're looking to address some of your skin-care concerns, then Daxi is something you'll definitely want to keep your eye on.

More info about common cosmetic procedures:

• The First FDA-Approved Injectable for Cellulite Is Here
• More Black People Are Getting Fillers and Botox Than Ever
• The Truth About Those "Temporary Nose Jobs"

Now, check out what's in Allure's April new member box:

Audrey Noble is a former digital beauty reporter at Allure whose writing explores beauty, culture, and entertainment, spanning topics from race and gender to celebrities and trends. In addition to holding editorial positions at Vanity Fair, Refinery29, and Byrdie, Audrey's work has appeared in Vogue, Harper's BAZAAR, Cosmopolitan, and... Read moreFormer Digital Beauty Reporter

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KeywordsinjectablesBotoxplastic surgeryfine lineswrinklesFDA approvalFDAdermatologists