What's the difference between Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin?

All three are botulinum toxin type A. Botox has the longest clinical track record. Dysport has wider diffusion and faster onset (2–4 days vs 4–7). Xeomin is the 'naked' formula with accessory proteins removed — useful for clients who have developed antibody resistance to Botox or Dysport.

Which works fastest — Botox or Dysport?

Dysport. Visible softening begins at day 2–4 versus 4–7 days for Botox and Xeomin. All three reach peak effect at day 14. For event timing (wedding, photo shoot), Dysport is the standard pick when injected 7–10 days before the event.

How long does Botox vs Dysport vs Xeomin last?

Statistically equivalent — all three average 3–4 months of effect across the MedSpa Directory network. 84% of patients re-treat at 3.0–3.5 months. Individual duration varies more by metabolic rate and muscle activity than by product choice.

Is Dysport better than Botox for forehead lines?

For the broad frontalis muscle, Dysport's wider diffusion can be an advantage — fewer injection points for the same coverage. Near the brow or for asymmetric eyebrow positions, Xeomin's tighter diffusion is safer. Most board-certified injectors switch products by zone rather than picking one for the whole face.

Can I switch from Botox to Xeomin if Botox stops working?

Yes — Xeomin is specifically designed to address antibody-mediated loss of response to Botox or Dysport. Switch under the guidance of a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon, with proper consultation and a documented duration record from prior treatments.

How much does Botox cost in 2026?

National median per-unit price is $15.50. Forehead (10–20 units): $155–$310. Glabella (20–25 units): $310–$388. Crow's feet per side (8–12 units): $124–$186. Beverly Hills, Manhattan, and Boston run 15–25% above the national median.

What's the safest neuromodulator for first-time users?

Botox, by clinical track record. Xeomin runs second by molecular profile (no accessory proteins). The injector credential — board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon — matters more than the product choice for first-timers. Always verify state medical license.

Botox vs Dysport vs Xeomin 2026: Cost, Onset, Duration +…

Q: Which is cheapest in 2026 — Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin?

Per area, Xeomin is typically cheapest ($260 forehead vs $310 Botox / $260 Dysport at national median), though pricing varies by market. Beverly Hills, Manhattan, and Boston run 15–25% above median across all three. Loyalty programs (Alle, ASPIRE, Xperience) cut $20–$75 per area.

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.

Fast facts — Botox vs Dysport vs Xeomin 2026 at a glance

Per-unit pricing (national median): Botox $15.50 · Dysport $5.20 · Xeomin $13.00

Per-area cost (forehead, 20 units Botox-equiv): Botox $310 · Dysport $260 · Xeomin $325

Onset: Botox 4–7 days · Dysport 2–4 days · Xeomin 4–7 days

Duration: Botox 3–4 months · Dysport 3–4 months · Xeomin 3–4 months

Diffusion / spread: Dysport widest · Botox medium · Xeomin tightest

Across the MedSpa Directory network: 71% of providers carry Botox, 38% Dysport, 22% Xeomin

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

Choose Botox if: you respond well to it already, you want the longest clinical track record, or you want predictable migration.

Choose Dysport if: onset speed matters (event in 5–7 days) or you are treating broad areas like the full forehead.

Choose Xeomin if: you have lost response to Botox or Dysport (antibody formation), want tight diffusion near the brow, or have allergies to accessory proteins.

Avoid switching products: mid-treatment cycle without a documented antibody concern — it does not improve duration.

Avoid Dysport in the lower face/crow's feet: if you have a full smile and history of cheek asymmetry.

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

Alle (Botox): $20–$50 per area booked through participating provider; bonus points stack across Juvederm and Latisse.

ASPIRE (Dysport): $25–$70 per area savings through participating providers.

Xperience (Xeomin): $30–$75 per area; smaller program but generous on first-time use.

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.

Botox vs Dysport vs Xeomin 2026: Cost, Onset, Duration + Recovery