What lasts longer than Botox? Exploring your options for extended wrinkle reduction

October 7, 2025 •

4 min read

While Botox treatments typically last for 3 to 4 months, a growing number of patients are exploring options to find out what lasts longer than Botox? From advanced neuromodulators like Daxxify to more permanent surgical solutions, the landscape of cosmetic procedures has expanded significantly for those seeking enduring results.

Quick Summary

Several treatments, including the neuromodulator Daxxify and various types of dermal fillers, offer longer-lasting effects than Botox. Patients seeking more permanent outcomes can explore energy-based therapies like RF microneedling and surgical options such as facelifts.

Key Points

Daxxify Lasts Longer: The newer neuromodulator Daxxify can extend wrinkle-relaxing effects for up to 6–9 months, a significant increase over Botox's typical 3–4 month duration.
Dermal Fillers Offer Extended Correction: Injectable dermal fillers, especially certain hyaluronic acid and collagen-stimulating products, typically last longer than neuromodulators by restoring lost facial volume.
Semi-Permanent Results from Energy Therapies: Treatments such as radiofrequency (RF) microneedling and laser resurfacing stimulate the body's natural collagen production, leading to gradual but long-lasting improvements in skin texture and tone.
Surgery Provides the Most Permanent Change: For severe signs of aging, a surgical facelift offers the most dramatic and longest-lasting correction, addressing significant skin laxity and sagging.
Factors Influence Treatment Duration: An individual's metabolism, lifestyle habits, and the specific area of treatment all play a role in how long results from any cosmetic procedure will last.
Combination Therapies are Common: The most comprehensive and natural-looking results often come from combining different treatments, such as using fillers for volume and neuromodulators for expression lines.

For decades, Botox has been a trusted and widely recognized injectable for temporarily smoothing dynamic wrinkles caused by facial muscle movements. However, with results that last an average of three to four months, it requires consistent appointments to maintain its effects. This frequent upkeep leads many to wonder about alternatives that offer greater longevity. The good news is that the field of cosmetic pharmacology provides a range of options, from new-generation neuromodulators to more permanent solutions, depending on your aesthetic goals.

Advanced Neuromodulators: The Next Generation

Botox works by using botulinum toxin type A to temporarily block nerve signals to facial muscles, relaxing them and reducing wrinkles. Other neuromodulators on the market work similarly but differ in formulation, potency, and duration.

Daxxify: The Long-Lasting Injectable

DAXXIFY® (daxibotulinumtoxinA-lanm) stands out as a direct competitor to Botox with a significant advantage in longevity.

Unique Formulation: Daxxify utilizes a novel peptide as a stabilizer, a difference from Botox, which uses human serum albumin. This peptide technology enhances the stability of the botulinum toxin, allowing it to produce effects that last longer.
Extended Duration: Clinical trials have shown that Daxxify's results can last up to 6 months for most people and even up to 9 months for some, a substantial increase over Botox's typical 3 to 4-month window. This translates to fewer required appointments throughout the year.
What it treats: Like Botox, Daxxify is FDA-approved to treat moderate to severe frown lines (glabellar lines) between the eyebrows.

Dermal Fillers: Restoring Lost Volume

Unlike neuromodulators that relax muscles, dermal fillers add volume to smooth static wrinkles and folds that result from aging and volume loss.

Types of Dermal Fillers and Their Duration

Fillers vary widely in composition and longevity, with some lasting significantly longer than any neuromodulator.

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Fillers: Brands like Juvéderm® and Restylane® use hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally found in the body. Depending on the product and treatment area, these fillers can last from 6 to 18 months.
Collagen-Stimulating Fillers: Products like Sculptra® (poly-L-lactic acid) and Radiesse® (calcium hydroxylapatite) work by stimulating the body's natural collagen production over time. The results can last up to two years or longer after the initial series of treatments.
Semi-Permanent Fillers: Bellafill® is a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) filler that provides long-lasting results for acne scars and deeper wrinkles, with effects potentially lasting up to five years.

Semi-Permanent Treatments: Energy-Based Therapies

For those seeking sustained improvement without frequent injections, energy-based treatments offer a non-invasive path to long-term skin rejuvenation.

Collagen-Stimulating Options

These treatments work by stimulating the body's natural healing processes and collagen production.

Radiofrequency (RF) Microneedling: This combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to create tiny injuries in the skin, which triggers a healing response that includes new collagen and elastin production. Multiple sessions can lead to sustained improvement in skin texture and tone for up to a year or more.
Laser Skin Resurfacing: Lasers can be ablative (removing the top layer of skin) or non-ablative (heating the skin's deeper layers), stimulating collagen and improving wrinkles, skin texture, and tone. The intensity and type of laser determine the longevity of results, with more invasive options providing more dramatic and durable outcomes.

Permanent Solutions: The Surgical Option

For individuals with moderate to severe skin laxity and deep-set wrinkles, cosmetic surgery offers the longest-lasting and most dramatic results.

Facelift Surgery

Procedure: A facelift surgically lifts and tightens sagging skin and underlying tissues, addressing concerns like jowls, deep nasolabial folds, and a droopy appearance.
Longevity: The results of a facelift are not truly permanent, as aging continues. However, they are significantly longer-lasting than any non-surgical option, with results typically enduring for 10 to 15 years or more. Post-surgery, many patients continue using injectables to further enhance and maintain their rejuvenated appearance.

Comparison: Botox and Its Long-Lasting Alternatives


Feature	Botox	Daxxify	Dermal Fillers	RF Microneedling	Surgical Facelift
Longevity	3–4 months	Up to 6–9 months	6 months to 5+ years (varies by product)	~1 year (after multiple sessions)	10–15+ years
Mechanism	Relaxes muscles	Relaxes muscles	Adds volume	Stimulates collagen	Lifts and tightens tissues
Best for	Dynamic wrinkles (forehead, crow's feet)	Dynamic wrinkles	Static wrinkles, volume loss	Skin texture, fine lines	Severe skin laxity, sagging
Onset	1–2 weeks	2–14 days	Immediate	Gradual (weeks to months)	Weeks/months for full result
Cost	Lower per session	Potentially higher per session, but fewer over time	Varies widely by product and volume	Varies by clinic and sessions	Highest
Maintenance	Frequent (quarterly)	Less frequent (biannually)	Varies, regular touch-ups needed	Annual touch-ups often needed	Periodic enhancements

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for You

Choosing the right anti-aging treatment goes beyond simply finding out what lasts longer than Botox? The ideal solution depends on your specific concerns, aesthetic goals, and how you weigh longevity against cost, invasiveness, and recovery time. While Daxxify offers a notable improvement in duration for those who prefer neuromodulators, options like dermal fillers provide versatile volume restoration with extended results. For more comprehensive and enduring changes, energy treatments or surgery are the definitive choices. The most effective approach often involves a combination of treatments over time. A personalized consultation with a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon is essential for creating a tailored plan that aligns with your desired outcome.

For more in-depth information about cosmetic options and professional advice, you can consult resources from the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Among neuromodulators for dynamic wrinkles, Daxxify offers the longest duration, with results that can last up to 6 to 9 months for some patients, which is significantly longer than the 3 to 4 months typical for Botox.

Yes, dermal fillers generally last longer than Botox. While Botox's effects last a few months, fillers can last from 6 months to over two years, depending on the type of filler and the treatment area.

For truly permanent or semi-permanent results, surgical options like a facelift are the most effective. They address significant skin laxity and sagging by physically lifting and tightening the underlying tissues, with results lasting 10 to 15 years or more.

Both Daxxify and Botox are botulinum toxin type A injectables that relax muscles. However, Daxxify uses a proprietary peptide stabilizer, which allows its effects to last longer (6-9 months) compared to Botox's 3-4 months.

Yes, energy-based treatments like radiofrequency (RF) microneedling and laser resurfacing stimulate the skin's collagen production over time. This leads to gradual, sustained improvements in skin texture and fine lines, offering longer-term benefits than temporary injectables.

Yes, combining different treatments is often recommended for comprehensive results. For example, a provider might use Daxxify to treat dynamic wrinkles while using dermal fillers to restore volume in different areas of the face.

Yes, an individual's metabolic rate is a key factor in how quickly the body processes injectables like Botox or fillers. People with a faster metabolism may find that the effects wear off more quickly than those with a slower metabolism.