We spoke with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Bruce Katz of New York City’s JUVA Skin and Laser Center, who was involved in the clinical trials for DAXI, for more information on how it works, the difference between DAXI and its predecessors, and more.
What Is DAXI?
DAXI is a neurotoxin treatment similar to Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin in that it paralyzes the active muscle it’s injected into—preventing it from becoming active and further forming wrinkles caused by its movement. “The difference with the formulation of DAXI is that the toxin that paralyzes the muscle is attached to a protein,” Dr. Katz says. He explains that the protein helps to extend the effect that DAXI has on the muscle. The longer-lasting effect means less frequent visits to your professional for touch ups. (More on this later.)...
What to Expect From a DAXI Appointment
Again, an appointment is similar to that of other injectables. “Your doctor will start by evaluating areas that would need the treatment, explain how it works, then inject it into the determined points,” Dr. Katz says. “After that, it will take about two weeks to kick in, at which point we’d schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure everything is symmetric and has settled nicely.”
The small needle used to inject DAXI is pretty painless, if not totally sensation-less in the case that your doctor provides a topical numbing cream beforehand. Dr. Katz notes that sometimes certain muscles may not absorb neuromodulators fully if the muscle is especially active. If that is the case, he recommends waiting roughly two weeks to determine whether a touch-up injection is needed. “Once DAXI has kicked in, you’ll see that the muscles become more relaxed and that wrinkles caused by that muscle movement ultimately fade,” he adds...
