Reloxin will be the first cosmetic botulinum toxin injectable to be distributed in the U.S. since Botox. Reloxin is known internationally as Dysport. While Reloxin is just now undergoing FDA approval for distribution in the U.S. and Canada, the wrinkle treatment has been distributed in 21 other countries by its international brand name, Dysport, since 2007.

Reloxin, expected to get FDA approval sometime in 2009, uses the same toxin to treat wrinkles as Botox, but is said to kick in a little faster (Botox takes a week to work its magic). Since Reloxin injections use the botulinum toxin type A, the active ingredient in Botox injections, they are designed and reported to successfully treat the same facial wrinkles, frown lines, crow's feet and forehead creases that Botox does.

Reloxin results are longer-lasting. Due to Reloxin's less-concentrated solution, the Botox competitor will supposedly prompt less antibody production with treatment. A decreased number of antibodies would allow Reloxin's botulinum toxin to remain strong and effective for a longer period of time. Clinical trials suggest injections may be effective for up to five or six months, as opposed to about three months for Botox.

Reloxin is said to be more cost effective (yeah!!), because if you dilute one vial of botox, you get 1 cc, whereas with Reloxin, the dilution makes 2 ccs, so you have twice the amount to use. Not only that, the competition will create a price war that will benefit the consumer.

The only thing that gives me pause is that Reloxin's formula is rumored to result in 'spreading'. Since Reloxin purportedly has lower protein concentrations in its solution than Botox does, the formula is said to spread more easily during treatment. This effect could create positive or negative treatment results depending on the area being treated, and might require more precision on the part of the cosmetic provider.