If you are considering an injectable treatment for wrinkles, you have probably heard of Botox® Cosmetic. But Botox is not the only popular injectable option. Jeuveau® is another cosmetic treatment that is gaining popularity. Like Botox, Jeuveau is an injectable neuromodulator that uses botulinum toxin type A to temporarily reduce muscle activity and soften the appearance of certain wrinkles. But there are some differences to note as well. So, what is Jeuveau vs. Botox, and why do we offer both at Vujevich Dermatology Associates?
Although the two treatments work in very similar ways, they are different products with different FDA-approved uses. Understanding the similarities and differences between Jeuveau vs. Botox can help you have a more informed conversation with your provider about which treatment may be appropriate for your goals.
What Is Jeuveau Treatment?
Jeuveau® is a prescription injectable treatment containing prabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs, a form of botulinum toxin type A. Like other neuromodulators, Jeuveau® works by temporarily blocking certain nerve signals to targeted muscles. Reducing muscle activity can soften wrinkles that develop or become more noticeable with repeated facial expressions.
So, what is Jeuveau used for? In the United States, Jeuveau is FDA-approved for the temporary improvement of moderate to severe glabellar lines in adults. These are the vertical lines that appear between the eyebrows and are sometimes called “frown lines” or “11 lines.” Jeuveau is injected into specific muscles responsible for creating these lines. By temporarily reducing their activity, the skin can appear smoother and the lines less noticeable. Unlike some other injectable treatments (like Botox), Jeuveau is approved exclusively for cosmetic purposes and has no approved medical or therapeutic applications.
It is also worth noting that Jeuveau is a newer option than Botox Cosmetic, having only been approved for use in the United States in 2019. While this may be part of the reason some are overall less familiar with it, “newer” does not necessarily mean “better.” Jeuveau and Botox are simply different formulations of botulinum toxin type A that can give patients and providers another option when considering cosmetic wrinkle treatment.
What Is Botox Treatment?
Botox® Cosmetic is perhaps the best-known injectable neuromodulator for treating facial wrinkles. Its active ingredient is onabotulinumtoxinA, another form of botulinum toxin type A.
Like Jeuveau, Botox works by temporarily reducing activity in targeted muscles. When muscles repeatedly contract, the overlying skin can crease and eventually develop dynamic wrinkles. Temporarily relaxing those muscles can soften the appearance of these lines.
Botox Cosmetic has a broader range of FDA-approved cosmetic uses than Jeuveau. When used for cosmetic purposes, it is approved to temporarily improve the appearance of moderate to severe:
- Frown lines between the eyebrows
- Forehead lines
- Crow’s feet around the eyes
- Vertical bands connecting the neck and jaw, also called platysma bands
Botox also has a long history of medical uses beyond cosmetic dermatology. Depending on the specific condition, Botox may be used to treat problems such as chronic migraine, excessive underarm sweating, certain muscle disorders, and overactive bladder.
At Vujevich Dermatology Associates, Botox treatments are customized according to each patient’s facial anatomy, muscle movement, and aesthetic goals. Treatments are performed by experienced providers, including physicians and nurse practitioner Lisa Barba, CRNP.
What Are the Different Uses of Jeuveau and Botox?
The biggest distinction when comparing Jeuveau vs. Botox is their range of approved uses.
Both can be used to temporarily relax muscles that contribute to facial wrinkles, but Jeuveau is currently FDA-approved specifically for glabellar lines, while Botox Cosmetic has FDA-approved cosmetic indications for multiple areas of the face and neck.
The fact that Botox has more applications in general does not necessarily make it the right choice for everyone. For someone primarily concerned with the lines between the eyebrows, either product may be an option depending on the individual’s anatomy, treatment history, goals, as well as recommendations by their provider. Let’s take a closer look at some of the specifics of each product’s cosmetic uses.
Jeuveau for Frown Lines
As mentioned earlier, Jeuveau is specifically approved for treating moderate to severe glabellar lines. These lines are caused by activity in muscles between the eyebrows, particularly when a person frowns, concentrates, or makes other facial expressions. For patients whose primary concern is this area, Jeuveau provides a cosmetic-focused neuromodulator option.
Botox for Facial Wrinkles
Once again, Botox has a broader range of cosmetic applications. In addition to frown lines, Botox Cosmetic can be used for forehead lines and crow’s feet, as well as vertical neck bands. Although typically associated with cosmetic wrinkle treatments, Botox’s wide history of medical applications has helped its name become very familiar to patients.
It is important to remember that FDA approval and actual treatment practices are not always identical. Dermatologists may use neuromodulators in ways that are not specifically included in a product’s cosmetic FDA indications. Your provider can explain which treatment areas are appropriate for you and whether a particular use is FDA-approved or off-label.
Jeuveau vs. Botox Benefits
When comparing products of any kind, it is often tempting to look for one product that is simply “the better of the two” – but with Botox and Jeuveau, there is not always a clear answer. Both treatments can provide similar fundamental benefits when appropriately selected and administered.
Benefits of Jeuveau
Jeuveau may be particularly appealing to patients who want to address frown lines between the eyebrows with a cosmetic-focused neuromodulator.
Potential benefits of Jeuveau may include:
- Temporarily softening moderate to severe frown lines
- Reducing the appearance of expression-related wrinkles
- Minimally invasive treatment, performed with small injections
- Little to no downtime required for most patients
- A natural-looking result when appropriately dosed and administered
Benefits of Botox
Botox offers many of the same cosmetic benefits while also providing a broader range of approved treatment applications.
Depending on the product and treatment plan, Botox may help:
- Soften frown lines
- Reduce forehead lines
- Improve the appearance of crow’s feet
- Temporarily improve vertical neck bands
- Treat certain medical conditions, such as excessive sweating or chronic migraine, when appropriately prescribed
Ultimately, the benefit of having multiple neuromodulator options is that your provider can consider your individual facial anatomy, treatment area, previous response to treatment, and aesthetic goals rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
What Lasts Longer: Jeuveau or Botox?
One of the most common questions about Jeuveau vs. Botox is how long the results last.
For Botox Cosmetic, results in the commonly treated upper-face areas can last up to about four months, although the exact duration varies from person to person. In our experience at Vujevich Dermatology, we have observed that Botox results typically last approximately three to four months, with patients generally returning for treatment several times per year.
Some studies and clinical experience with Jeuveau have reported results lasting several months as well. However, there is not enough evidence to say that Jeuveau consistently lasts longer than Botox for every patient. Some individuals may experience a longer duration with one product, while others may notice little difference.
The same multitude of factors that influence other injectable treatments, such as the treatment area, dosage, muscle activity, individual metabolism, and how your body responds to the product, all may play a role in affecting how long results last.
Ultimately, we would not recommend choosing a neuromodulator solely based on which one supposedly “lasts longer” without taking into account other factors of your treatment. A qualified provider will be able to help determine which product and treatment approach actually makes the most sense for your individual needs, and they can help answer any questions you have about how long your results may be expected to last.
Jeuveau vs. Botox Price: Is One More Affordable?
For many patients, cost is another common consideration when researching Jeuveau vs. Botox. However, as with many other factors – the answer is still that it depends. There is no universal price for either treatment. The cost of your injectable may vary depending on the provider, geographic location, treatment area, number of areas treated, and amount of product required for those areas.
Jeuveau vs. Botox Units
While considering “the amount of product required,” additional caution with calculation is needed here as well. Although both products are measured in “units,” Botox and Jeuveau units are not to be considered interchangeably. A certain number of units of Jeuveau should not be assumed to be equivalent to the same number of units of Botox. Each product has its own potency measurements and dosing recommendations.
For example, the FDA-approved Jeuveau dose for glabellar lines is 20 units, while the FDA-approved Botox Cosmetic dose for glabellar lines is also 20 units—but these two 20-unit doses are not necessarily directly equivalent.
For this reason, strictly comparing the price per unit can be misleading. A better comparison is the overall cost of each treatment plan as recommended by your provider.
Jeuveau vs. Botox Reviews: What Do Patients Say?
If you’re deep in your cosmetic treatment research, you’ve likely already encountered a variety of reviews from other patients comparing Jeuveau, Botox, and other injectable treatments. It can be helpful to hear about others’ experiences with a particular cosmetic treatment before exploring it yourself. But… while online reviews can be helpful for learning what to expect, they should never be treated as a guarantee of your own results.
Both Jeuveau and Botox have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the appearance of wrinkles, and clinical studies have found similar effectiveness for treating glabellar lines. However, individual results can vary considerably. Two patients receiving the same product may have different results because of differences in facial anatomy, muscle strength, treatment technique, dosage, and other factors.
This is another reason why the person performing the treatment matters. Rather than choosing a product based solely on online reviews or price, consider the experience and training of the provider administering your treatment.
Which Is Better: Jeuveau or Botox?
So, with all of this in mind, which of the two should you choose? Neither is universally better. To summarize, Jeuveau and Botox are both botulinum toxin type A neuromodulators that temporarily reduce muscle activity and can improve the appearance of wrinkles. Jeuveau is specifically FDA-approved for glabellar lines, while Botox Cosmetic has a broader range of FDA-approved cosmetic uses. Botox also has numerous medical applications beyond cosmetic wrinkle treatment.
For a patient primarily concerned with frown lines between the eyebrows, either Jeuveau or Botox may be an appropriate option. For patients who want to treat multiple cosmetic areas or who are seeking one of Botox’s medical applications, Botox may be the more appropriate choice – but ultimately, your provider may suggest something else entirely based on your specific needs.
There may also be individual differences in how patients respond to different neuromodulators. Having both options available gives an experienced provider more flexibility when developing an individualized treatment plan.
Cosmetic Dermatology Care in Pittsburgh
Whether you are interested in Jeuveau, Botox, or another cosmetic treatment, choosing an experienced medical provider is an important part of achieving safe, natural-looking results. At Vujevich Dermatology Associates, our approach to cosmetic dermatology is centered around individualized treatment plans rather than a cookie-cutter approach. During a cosmetic consultation, our providers evaluate your facial anatomy, skin, wrinkles, sun damage, and aesthetic goals before recommending an appropriate treatment plan.
Our greater Pittsburgh dermatology practice offers a range of aesthetic services designed to improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles, restore lost volume, improve skin texture and tone, and rejuvenate the skin.
Cosmetic injections may be common, but they are still medical procedures. Having your treatment performed by a qualified dermatology professional who understands facial anatomy, injection technique, and your overall skin health can make an important difference. If you are considering Jeuveau or Botox in Pittsburgh, schedule a cosmetic consultation with Vujevich Dermatology Associates to discuss your goals and determine which treatment may be right for you.
In addition to cosmetics, we offer a wide range of general, surgical, and pediatric dermatology services from some of the most highly trained physicians and clinicians in the greater Pittsburgh area. You can reach our team at (412) 429-2570 or visit our contact page to see all of our locations in Mt Lebanon, Pleasant Hills, Washington, and Robinson Township, PA. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see what’s new in the world of dermatology.