The human struggle to slow and reverse the aging process and to defy the natural progression of time is never over. When you break it down, that is the point of the cosmetic industry. To stop time and let us celebrate our 28th birthday for the 10th time, and Botox has been doing that since 1989. Everyone has heard of it, through celebrity endorsements, media coverage, or personal experiences. Botox has undoubtedly established itself as a household name when it comes to anti-wrinkle treatments.
Today we are going to look at Jeuveau, the newest and hottest product in the cosmetic industry that has the audacity to call itself the “NewTox”, and compare it to the reigning champion – Botox. Let the Jeuveau vs. Botox battle begin!
What is Botox?
While Botox is the reigning anti-wrinkle champion, it doesn’t hurt to remind ourselves how it works and what it can do for us.
Botox is a neuromodulator that uses onabotulinumtoxinA injections to sever the neural connection between the brain and the treated muscle, to prevent involuntary spasms. For this reason, it’s very effective in preventing wrinkles, crow’s feet, and other fine lines we get from repeated facial expressions and muscle contractions.
This doesn’t mean that the face will be robbed of its expression, just that the targeted area will remain temporarily relaxed, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and creating a smoother, more youthful-looking complexion.
Cosmetic treatment for frown lines with Botox has been FDA-approved since 2002, but it’s been used off-label for many other cosmetic procedures. On top of that, it can be used for a few different medical procedures. This is one of the key differences between Botox and Jeuveau, but we’ll get to that point soon. The Allergan company in Ireland manufactures Botox.
It speaks volumes that everyone has heard of Botox, and one of the key reasons for this lies in its effectiveness in eliminating expression lines. The treatment can be done in 30 minutes, with the first effects visible within three to seven days, and the full effects showing in two weeks.
The effect isn’t permanent, so a follow-up treatment will be required after three to four months. After initial treatments, the area only needs to be corrected once every six months.
What is Jeuveau?
Before we go into details, Jeuveau and Botox work very similarly. They both use botulinum toxin, but Jeuveau uses a purified version of botulinum toxin (prabotulinumtoxinA). Both are extremely effective at dealing with dynamic wrinkles. For static wrinkles, it’s better to use other treatments like dermal fillers.
Jeuveau is the most recent addition to standard botulinum toxin products, hence the coined term NewTox. It has been FDA-approved to treat wrinkles since 2019 but has been used off-label for other facial anti-aging treatments. The product is only approved for cosmetic procedures, not medical ones. Not because there’s a problem with the product. It’s a strategic decision made by the company to keep the price of the product as low as possible. We’ll go a bit more into this subject when we get to the Jeuveau vs. Botox cost comparison.
Jeuveau is made and produced in South Korea by a biotechnology company called Evolus. They specialize in aesthetic medicine and are dedicated to providing innovative and high-quality treatments for facial rejuvenation. South Korea has gained global recognition for its thriving cosmetic industry, known for its advanced technologies and emphasis on skincare and beauty. Being produced in South Korea, Jeuveau benefits from the country’s expertise in the field and the rigorous quality standards upheld by the industry.
Jeuveau promotes itself to younger audiences as a way to delay aging, but it also benefits older audiences in the same way. Its results can be seen after two to three days, and just like Botox, it’s not permanent, so it requires additional treatments every three to six months.
What Are the Differences Between Botox and Jeuveau?
As you can see, both products have many similarities, and that isn’t by accident. After all, they contain a botulinum toxin variant that blocks nerves from activating muscles, preventing the development of wrinkles and other lines and smoothing out those that already exist.
While both products are very similar, there are some differences between them. So let’s look at the three most important categories for both patients and doctors alike: effectiveness, price, and side effects.
Jeuveau vs. Botox: Effectiveness
There are no studies that directly pit the two products together in a head-to-head comparison. So for the data shown here, we’ll rely primarily on FDA results during their trials.
During the trials, there are four phases of testing. The first phase is smaller and consists of around 20 to 80 people. Its purpose is to check for any side effects and to test the dosage amount. Phase two is a larger group of between 100 and 300 people that tests the effectiveness of drugs. Phase three is a much larger scale version of phase two and can involve several hundred to a few thousand individuals from various racial and medical backgrounds. After the third phase, the drug is approved, and then the fourth phase of testing comes, which is monitoring for any other side effects or signs of adverse effects.
During FDA trials of the Botox alternative – Jeuveau, around 70% of people noticed an improvement in their frown lines. During the Botox trials, that number was around 78%. If we were to measure the effectiveness only using these numbers, Botox has a slight advantage, but we have to keep in mind that not everyone will have the same response to each treatment.
Luckily, if someone isn’t satisfied with the results, they only have to wait for the biotoxin to naturally leave the body (typically within four to six months) and can then explore alternative products. Under no circumstances should two different products be mixed.
Jeuveau vs. Botox: Price
While Botox is a medically approved treatment for bladder disorders, strabismus, facial spasms, migraines, and others, Jeuveau is only approved for cosmetic use, and as we said earlier, this was by intent.
This doesn’t mean that Jeuveau wouldn’t be able to help with some of them if not all of them, but you wouldn’t be able to claim insurance since the product isn’t FDA approved. And frankly, for medical procedures, you shouldn’t use non-FDA-approved methods.
Evolus decided not to undergo any clinical trials, since they are expensive and want to brand themselves as a cosmetic company only. As they didn’t have to undergo any expensive clinical trials, they are able to offer their products for less than Botox or any other similar products on the market.
The price range of Botox per unit is typically around $10 to $18, while the average price of Jeuveau is between $8 and $16 per unit. This might not seem like much, but when you take into account that, for instance, a forehead requires between 10 and 50 units, the cost quickly adds up.
Jeuveau vs. Botox: Side Effects
Since they are both made from the same substance with slightly different methods, the side effects are exactly the same. Common side effects of both are headaches, swelling, bruising, and eyelid and brow drooping. Do not worry, these side effects are only temporary.
In some rare instances, the substance can spread outside the targeted area, which can result in botulism. If you experience any allergic reactions, facial drooping, difficulty speaking or swallowing, double vision or other vision impairments, or trouble breathing, do not ignore them and call 911 immediately.
Conclusion
Both Jeuveau and Botox are effective anti-wrinkle solutions that utilize botulinum toxin to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Botox, with its established reputation and a broader range of approved uses, has been widely recognized and trusted by many. Jeuveau, as a newer product, offers a more affordable option and has gained FDA approval specifically for cosmetic procedures. Ultimately, the choice between Jeuveau or Botox depends on individual preferences, desired outcomes, and consultation with a healthcare professional.
FAQ
Which lasts longer: Botox or Jeuveau?
Both products last between three to four months.
Is Jeuveau stronger than Botox?
As per many Jeuveau vs. Botox reviews by patients and doctors alike there is no difference between the two.
Is Jeuveau faster than Botox?
Jeuveau is a bit faster than Botox when it comes to showing its results. It takes 2 to 3 days, while Botox needs 3 to 7 days to show results.
References:
- PrabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs for the Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Glabellar Lines; Mary B. Gadarowski, Rima I. Ghamrawi, Sarah L. Taylor, Steven R. Feldman; Jul 2021
- BOTOX COSMETIC- onabotulinumtoxina injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Feb 2021
- Drug Trials Snapshots: JEUVEAU; Jan 2020
- The whole truth about botulinum toxin – a review; Henryk Witmanowski and Katarzyna Błochowiak; Feb 2019
- Efficacy and Safety of PrabotulinumtoxinA for the Treatment of Glabellar Lines in Adult Subjects: Results From 2 Identical Phase III Studies; Kenneth R. Beer (MD), Ava Theresa Shamban (MD), Rui L. Avelar (MD), John E. Gross (MD), and Anneke Jonker (MSc); Mar 2019
- Botulinum toxin (Botox) A for reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles: a literature review of clinical use and pharmacological aspect; Bagus Komang Satriyasa; Apr 2019
- An Evaluation of Use of Botulinum Toxin Type A in the Management of Dynamic Forehead Wrinkles – A Clinical Study; Avvaru Susmita, Naga Neelima Devi Kolli, Sridhar Meka, Srinivas Pandi Chakravarthi, Vivekanand Sabanna Kattimani, Krishna Prasad Lingamaneni, and Latheef Saheb Shaik; Oct 2016
