Competition in the marketplace can be a beautiful thing, especially when it comes to innovations in the medical esthetics industry. In February 2019, Jeuveau™, a cosmetic neurotoxin manufactured by the company Evolus, was given approval by the FDA for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines. It has been over ten years since BOTOX®, the current gold standard in wrinkle reduction, has had a new competitor in the anti-aging arena. With a catchy hashtag campaign, #NEWTOX, only time and patient feedback will tell if Jeuveau is a worthy competitor.
What is Jeuveau?
Like BOTOX, Jeuveau is an injectable neuromodulator or neurotoxin, that is FDA approved to temporarily improve the appearance of mild to severe frown lines (glabella) in adult patients. Also, like BOTOX, it may be used “off label” by providers to soften and smooth lines around the upper forehead, eyes, mouth, chin, and neck.
How does Jeuveau work?
Neurotoxins like BOTOX, Dysport®, and Xeomin® work by blocking the communication between a nerve and a muscle whose contraction forms a line or wrinkle. As a result, the muscle does not receive the signal to contract and create a line on our skin’s surface and creases and wrinkles smooth over time. Jeuveau works in this same fashion.
Is Jeuveau similar to BOTOX?
Both BOTOX and Jeuveau are derived from the same bacteria, and have a comparable mechanism of action. Both treatments feel the same, can be used in the same areas, and have similar possible side-effects like temporary redness, swelling, and possible bruising around the injection site.
At this time, Jeuveau, is only FDA-approved for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines associated with corrugator and/or procerus muscle activity in adult patients. BOTOX, on the other hand, has multiple FDA-approved treatment areas including the glabella area, crow’s feet and forehead lines.
Where Jeuveau is focused solely on esthetic applications, BOTOX has a rich and extensive history of non-cosmetic applications such as migraine headaches, facial and eye spasms, urinary incontinence, teeth grinding, and improved healing for surgical incisions.
How long does Jeuveau last?
It is important to note that the duration of effect of ANY neurotoxin, whether it be BOTOX, Dysport, Xeomin, or Jeuveau, is dependent on several factors. Each patient receiving treatment has a unique muscle mass and metabolism that may lead to a product setting in faster or lasting longer. So, how many units a patient is initially dosed with can play a crucial role in the duration of results, regardless of what product is used. The skill of your provider and the exact location of your injection sites can also influence.
Does Jeuveau cost the same as BOTOX?
The cost of Jeuveau will depend entirely on your provider. Evolus, the manufacturer of Jeuveau, launched Jeuveau as a purely esthetic product which may give it more flexibility in pricing because it does not have to contend with government reimbursement. Evolus has stated that they intend to offer Jeuveau at 20%-25% less than the cost of BOTOX to remain competitive. The company has also been transparent about seeking a younger audience for its product by marketing with hashtag campaigns to millennials and using bright, bold colors in its print and digital marketing.
Like the Brilliant Distinctions Rewards Program offered by Allergan, the manufacturer of BOTOX, Jeuveau will offer a rewards program that allows patients to earn points that can be used as cash discounts on future treatments.
Is Jeuveau better than BOTOX?
Your response to any neurotoxin will be unique to you. In turn, it is difficult to say whether one is better than the other. BOTOX is still considered the gold standard in smoothing lines and creases and eradicating wrinkles. It has over a 30-year history of proven safety and efficacy and millions of loyal and devoted users. This track record makes the decision entirely up to the patient; stay with what is tried, tested and true, or attempt to try something new?
Like all new esthetic products that come to the market we carefully review the science and studies that support its use in the esthetic industry. We are currently conducting our own trials with this product to validate the results for our patients before we make a decision to add this product to our esthetic portfolio.