Relfydess is the treatment my clients have been asking about most this year, and for good reason. It is the newest anti-wrinkle injection to reach New Zealand, and it does something no botulinum toxin before it has done: it arrives ready to use, as a purified liquid. If you have been reading about a "liquid Botox" or a new "botox alternative", Relfydess is almost certainly what you have seen.
Here is an honest, clinical look at what it is, how it differs from Botox and Dysport, and who it actually suits.
What Relfydess is
Relfydess (relabotulinumtoxinA) is a botulinum toxin type A made by Galderma, the company behind Dysport. Like every anti-wrinkle injection, it works by gently and temporarily relaxing the muscles that create dynamic lines, the creases that appear when you frown, squint, or raise your brows.
What sets it apart is the formulation. Traditional toxins arrive as a freeze-dried powder that has to be reconstituted, mixed with saline, before treatment. Relfydess is the first ready-to-use liquid of its kind. It is a purified toxin with a unique strain and, notably, no human or animal proteins in the formulation. Because it is not mixed on the day, the dose is precise and consistent from one appointment to the next.
How it compares to Botox and Dysport
All three products share the same active ingredient and the same purpose. The differences are in the detail.
- Formulation. Botox and Dysport are reconstituted from powder. Relfydess is a ready-to-use liquid, which supports consistent, repeatable dosing.
- Onset. In clinical studies, Relfydess showed a faster onset than earlier toxins, with some people noticing results within one to three days. Botox and Dysport typically begin to show from three to five days.
- Longevity. Relfydess demonstrated a duration of up to six months for frown lines and crow's feet in trials. Botox and Dysport usually last three to four months, sometimes longer.
None of this makes Relfydess automatically "better". Botox and Dysport remain excellent, well-established treatments that I use every day. The right product depends on your muscle strength, the area being treated, how your skin has responded to toxin before, and what you want from the result.
Who Relfydess suits
Relfydess is worth discussing if you want a longer interval between treatments, if you have found earlier toxins wear off sooner than you would like, or if you simply want the most current option available. It treats the same areas as any anti-wrinkle injection: frown lines, crow's feet, forehead lines, and more.
As with all toxin, it is not for everyone. Relfydess is a prescription medicine, so suitability is assessed in a consultation, and it is not appropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for certain medical conditions. Your nurse will talk you through whether it fits your face and your history.
Relfydess in Christchurch
We offer Relfydess at Silk Clinical Aesthetics in central Christchurch, alongside Botox and Dysport, so you are not limited to a single product. Every treatment is performed by a registered nurse, and every plan starts with an honest assessment of what your skin and muscles actually need. If Botox or Dysport is the better choice for you, we will say so.
If you are curious whether Relfydess is right for you, book a consultation and we will talk it through in person.
Relfydess is a prescription medicine. It has risks and benefits. Ask your healthcare professional if it is right for you, and see the Consumer Medicine Information at www.medsafe.govt.nz.
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