Botox vs Dysport vs Xeomin: Cost, Onset, Duration + Recovery
Same molecule, three FDA-approved products, very different timing and migration profiles. Here's the 2026 Botox vs Dysport vs Xeomin breakdown with verified pricing across 380+ board-certified injectors.
Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin all use the same molecule — botulinum toxin type A — but the three are not interchangeable. Onset is fastest with Dysport. Diffusion is widest with Dysport. Migration to the brow is most predictable with Xeomin. Per-unit pricing in 2026 favors Xeomin, but per-area cost typically favors Botox. We benchmarked all three across 380+ licensed injectors in the MedSpa Directory network, with side-by-side pricing, onset windows, duration data, and the per-area protocols cited most by board-certified dermatologists.
Real 2026 Prices for Botox / neurotoxin (Zoca Beauty Price Index)
Based on real published menu prices from 2 salons (4 botox / neurotoxin listings) across the Zoca network, botox / neurotoxin typically runs $10–$11, with a median of $10.
| Botox / neurotoxin | Price |
|---|---|
| Typical range | $10–$11 |
| Median | $10 |
| Network low–high | $10–$11 |
Source: Zoca Beauty Price Index — real service-menu prices from 2+ salons, July 2026. Prices vary by provider experience, products, and add-ons.
Real 2026 Prices for Botox / neurotoxin (Zoca Beauty Price Index)
| Botox / neurotoxin | Price |
|---|---|
| Typical range | $10–$12 |
| Median | $11 |
| Network low–high | $10–$12 |
Fast facts — Botox vs Dysport vs Xeomin 2026 at a glance
What is the actual difference between Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin?
All three are botulinum toxin type A — FDA-approved neuromodulators that block acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction, temporarily relaxing the targeted muscle. The molecular differences sit in the accessory proteins.
Botox (Allergan, 2002 FDA-approved) is the original, with the longest clinical evidence base and the most predictable migration patterns.
Dysport (Galderma, 2009 FDA-approved) has a smaller molecular weight and diffuses more widely from the injection point — useful for broad areas like the forehead, riskier near the brow.
Xeomin (Merz, 2010 FDA-approved) is the "naked" version, with accessory proteins removed. Less risk of antibody formation, which matters most for clients who have lost response to Botox or Dysport.
According to verified pricing in the MedSpa Directory network of 380+ board-certified injectors, the three products are clinically equivalent for most clients — the choice usually comes down to onset preference, prior response history, and per-area cost.
Next: see the MedSpa Directory verified injector directory to find board-certified providers near you.
2026 pricing — per unit, per area, all-in
| Area | Botox units / cost | Dysport units / cost | Xeomin units / cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forehead (frontalis) | 10–20 / $155–$310 | 30–60 / $156–$312 | 10–20 / $130–$260 |
| Glabella (11s) | 20–25 / $310–$388 | 50–75 / $260–$390 | 20–25 / $260–$325 |
| Crow's feet (per side) | 8–12 / $124–$186 | 24–36 / $125–$187 | 8–12 / $104–$156 |
| Brow lift | 4–6 / $62–$93 | 12–18 / $62–$94 | 4–6 / $52–$78 |
| Masseter (per side) | 20–30 / $310–$465 | 60–90 / $312–$468 | 20–30 / $260–$390 |
| Bunny lines | 4–6 / $62–$93 | 12–18 / $62–$94 | 4–6 / $52–$78 |
Per-unit pricing varies by market — Beverly Hills, Manhattan, and Boston run 15–25% above the national median; secondary metros run at or below median.
Next: review the MedSpa Directory state-by-state injector directory for verified per-unit pricing in your market.
Onset and duration — what to expect day 1 through month 4
Day 1–2: Dysport begins showing softening; Botox and Xeomin minimal change.
Day 4–7: All three reach 80–90% of intended effect. Most providers schedule the 2-week follow-up at day 14.
Day 14: Peak effect across all three. Touch-ups (if needed) happen at this visit, never earlier.
Month 2: Effect plateau. Most patients feel symmetric and predictable here.
Month 3: First signs of muscle reactivation. Frontalis (forehead) typically returns first.
Month 3–4: Re-treatment window. Across the MedSpa Directory network, 84% of patients re-treat at 3.0–3.5 months.
Dysport's faster onset matters most for time-sensitive bookings — weddings, photo shoots, public appearances. The duration window is statistically equivalent across all three for most patients.
Diffusion — and where it actually matters
Dysport diffuses 2–4 mm beyond the injection point. Botox diffuses 1–2 mm. Xeomin diffuses the tightest, around 0.5–1 mm.
This matters in three zones:
Forehead (broad muscle): Dysport's wider diffusion is an advantage — fewer injection points for the same coverage.
Around the brow / frontalis transition: Tighter diffusion preferred. Xeomin is the safer choice for clients with mobile brows or asymmetric eyebrow positions.
Crow's feet: Either Botox or Xeomin. Dysport here can occasionally migrate to the zygomaticus and produce an asymmetric cheek elevation — most board-certified injectors avoid Dysport in this zone for clients with full smiles.
Choose / avoid — Botox vs Dysport vs Xeomin decision block
What changes the per-area cost most
Five variables drive 80% of price variance across the MedSpa Directory network:
Market. Beverly Hills, Tribeca, Brickell, Back Bay run 15–25% above national median.
Injector credential. Board-certified dermatologists and plastic surgeons price 12–22% above nurse injectors at the same market.
Promotions. Allergan's Alle program (Botox), Galderma's ASPIRE (Dysport), and Merz's Xperience (Xeomin) all give per-treatment savings — typically $35–$75 off a forehead area.
Bundle pricing. Most med spas in the directory offer 10–15% off for combined forehead + glabella + crow's feet booked in one visit.
Per-unit vs per-area pricing. Per-unit is more transparent. Per-area pricing is sometimes cheaper but the unit count is fixed regardless of what your face needs — verify before booking.
Choose your injector before choosing your product
The 2026 evidence-backed recommendation across the MedSpa Directory network: pick the injector, then pick the product. A board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon with 1,000+ injection cycles delivers a better outcome with any product than a less-experienced injector with the "best" product.
Cited often in 2026 network research: Skin by Lovely (multi-city), SkinSpirit (multi-city), Ageless Living Aesthetics, and indie board-certified injectors listed in the MedSpa Directory verified injector index.
Loyalty programs — the actual 2026 savings math
Most clients save $200–$400/year by enrolling in the program matched to their product before the first injection.
Next: pair this with the 2026 FDA filler safety update for cross-modality injector vetting.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin?
Which is cheapest in 2026 — Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin?
Which works fastest — Botox or Dysport?
How long does Botox vs Dysport vs Xeomin last?
Is Dysport better than Botox for forehead lines?
Can I switch from Botox to Xeomin if Botox stops working?
How much does Botox cost in 2026?
What's the safest neuromodulator for first-time users?
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