The European Commission has approved Boey, a new botulinum toxin from Allergan, the company behind Botox, designed to let first-timers try the effects of a wrinkle-relaxing injection before committing to longer-lasting treatment, according to Dazed Beauty. While most injectables use type A toxin, Boey uses type E, which the piece says produces visible results in as little as eight hours rather than days, and wears off in two to three weeks instead of the three to four months typical of standard Botox, which runs £150 to £350 per syringe in the UK. Boey is cleared for use in the European Economic Area, but still needs separate UK approval, expected within the next year.
"Allergan built it for people curious about injectables but nervous about committing to a long-lasting result," said aesthetic doctor Dr. Alicia Gonzalez-Fernandez, who said patients who like the outcome often move on to standard Botox afterward. Aesthetic doctor Dr. Christine Hall, of Knightsbridge's Taktouk Clinic, said she expects the product to appeal most to people in their thirties and forties who've considered Botox for years without booking a treatment, as well as more men who are cautious about visibly "looking done." Dr. Brenda Jaliman, who has administered Botox since 1992, said she expects demand from actors who want smoother skin for a limited filming period but need full facial expression to return afterward, citing recent criticism of frozen-looking performances tied to Botox overuse in Hollywood.