When most people in Tempe or Scottsdale hear the word Botox, they think of frozen foreheads and Hollywood. In reality, wrinkle relaxers are everywhere in the United States, from busy ASU grad students to nurses, teachers and CEOs.
In 2023 alone, there were about 4.7 million botulinum toxin type A procedures in the United States, using brands like Botox, Dysport and Xeomin, a 6 percent increase from the year before (American Society of Plastic Surgeons [ASPS], 2024). American Society of Plastic Surgeons+1 Globally, plastic surgeons reported about 8.8 million botulinum toxin procedures in 2023, making it the number one non surgical cosmetic treatment worldwide (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery [ISAPS], 2024).
Even with those numbers, many patients still whisper, hide their appointments or joke that they “just slept well.” The taboo is still real. People want the benefits, they just do not always want everyone to know.
At our Tempe practice, NP Karla uses Letybo and Jeuveau, both botulinum toxin type A neuromodulators in the same family as Botox, but with a key perk our patients love, especially here in Arizona:
You often start to see results in about 2 to 3 days, instead of waiting a full two weeks for the final effect. Many Letybo and Jeuveau studies and expert reviews report visible changes starting as early as day 2 or 3, with full results by about day 7 to 14 (Greenwich Medical Spa, 2025; Plaza Medical Spa, 2025; Ayana Dermatology, 2024; Eternal Dermatology, 2023).
For our ASU students, busy professionals and tired parents, that shorter wait time is a big deal.

The Science: What These “Botox Family” Treatments Really Do

All of these wrinkle relaxers, Botox, Letybo, Jeuveau and others, are forms of botulinum toxin type A. They work in the same basic way:

• Nerves normally tell muscles to move by releasing a chemical messenger called acetylcholine
• Botulinum toxin type A blocks that release at the neuromuscular junction
• The muscle cannot contract as strongly
• The skin on top stops folding so deeply

This is why they soften:

• Frown lines between the brows
• Forehead lines
• Crow’s feet
• Bunny lines on the nose
• Lip lines when used carefully

Clinical trials on Botox have shown strong safety and effectiveness for glabellar lines for decades, and similar trials led to FDA approvals for newer brands like Jeuveau and Letybo as well (Allergan, 2022; Evolus, 2019; Hugel, 2024).
So when we talk about “Botox” science, we are really talking about this whole neuromodulator family. At Bella Medspa, we simply choose Letybo and Jeuveau because they fit our patients’ lifestyle, preferences and desire for a fast but natural result.

Why We Prefer Letybo And Jeuveau In Tempe

Patients here are busy. Many are:

• Walking across ASU’s Tempe campus between classes and work
• Working long shifts in healthcare or hospitality
• Juggling kids, business, and Arizona heat

Waiting a full 14 days to see if your wrinkle relaxer worked can feel long. Recent clinical and real world reviews have shown that:

• Letybo often starts to show visible improvement in 2 to 3 days, with full effect around 7 to 10 days and duration similar to Botox, usually around 3 to 4 months (Greenwich Medical Spa, 2025; Plaza Medical Spa, 2025; New York Post, 2025). Greenwich Medical Spa+2Plaza Aesthetics & Wellness+2
• Jeuveau, prabotulinumtoxinA, can also show results in 2 to 3 days for many patients, with full effect by 7 to 14 days and a similar 3 to 4 month duration (Anu Aesthetics, 2019; Eternal Dermatology, 2022; MBP Utah, 2023). aNu Aesthetics+2Eternal Dermatology+2

For a lot of our patients, that means:

• You schedule on a Thursday
• You look smoother by the weekend or early next week
• You do not have to wait two full weeks for your forehead to calm down

The molecule is similar, the safety data is strong, and the early onset is a real quality of life bonus.

Beyond Wrinkles: Medical And Functional Uses

Most research on botulinum toxin type A, usually using Botox in studies, started on the medical side, not the beauty side. Over time, the FDA has approved Botox for conditions such as chronic migraine, cervical dystonia, overactive bladder and severe underarm sweating, among others
(Allergan, 2022). PMC
In everyday practice, neuromodulators like Botox, Jeuveau and Letybo are commonly used for both cosmetic and functional reasons, including:

• TMJ and jaw tension relief
  Relaxing overactive masseter muscles can reduce clenching related pain and can also gently slim the lower face for some patients. Studies with botulinum toxin type A have shown improvements in pain and function in many TMJ patients, although this is still considered off label and requires careful dosing and follow up (von Lindern, 2003; Guarda Nardini et al., 2010).
• Migraine reduction
  Botox is FDA approved for chronic migraine prevention in adults who have 15 or more headache days per month (FDA, 2010). Many patients who start injections for cosmetic reasons later discover that their headaches also improve, depending on the pattern and cause.
• Excessive sweating, hyperhidrosis
  Botulinum toxin type A is FDA approved for severe underarm sweating that does not respond to topical treatments. It works by blocking the nerve signals that activate sweat glands and can reduce sweating for several months at a time (Naumann & Lowe, 2001). PMC+1
• Gummy smile softening
  Small doses placed around the upper lip can reduce how much gum shows when you smile. This cosmetic use is off label, but has been described in several case series with good patient satisfaction when performed by experienced injectors (Polo, 2008). PMC
• Neck band relaxation
  Treating platysmal bands in the neck can soften tight vertical cords and help the jawline look smoother. This is also an off label use that requires strong anatomy knowledge.
• Lip flip
  Very small, carefully placed doses around the upper lip can make the lip roll slightly outward, giving a soft, natural looking lift without adding volume. Ideal for patients who want a tiny change, not a full filler look.
• Oil and pore control in very oily T zones
  Early studies and clinical experience suggest that intradermal botulinum toxin type A can reduce sebum production and pore appearance in some patients, especially on the forehead and nose, although this is still off label and needs more long term data (Shah, 2008). PMC

At Bella Medspa, NP Karla uses Letybo and Jeuveau within safe, evidence informed patterns, always prioritizing your medical history, anatomy and goals.

If So Many People Use It, Why Is There Still A Taboo

Botulinum toxin has quietly moved from “celebrity only” to very mainstream. Recent reports estimate that more than 9 million people worldwide get Botox type injections each year, with the United States leading the market and millions of those procedures done here (ISAPS, 2024; Impressions Dental, 2025). ISAPS+2Impressions Dental+2

A 2025 feature in The Washington Post noted that neuromodulator injections have nearly doubled since 2019, with more than 9.8 million neuromodulator procedures in 2024, yet many patients still treat it as a quiet secret, similar to hair color or laser hair removal, especially women who feel pressure to look “naturally” young without admitting they get help (Stanley-Becker, 2025). The Washington Post

In real life, that looks like:

• Friends who “never do anything” but somehow have no frown lines at 42
• Co workers who show up after a long weekend looking suspiciously rested
• Family members who call it “vitamins” or “my little treatment”

The truth is simple. A huge number of people are using wrinkle relaxers, but a smaller number are talking about it openly. You are not alone if you are curious and quiet about it at the same time.

Choosing Safety Over Shortcuts

Because neuromodulators are so popular, the FDA recently issued warning letters to companies selling unapproved botulinum toxin products online, with names like Liztox, Toxsta and Botulax, which are not FDA approved and may have unknown ingredients or dosing (U.S. Food and Drug
Administration, 2025; Allure, 2025). Allure
At Bella Medspa, NP Karla uses only FDA approved neuromodulators, including Letybo and Jeuveau, purchased through regulated U.S. channels, never from grey market websites or overseas “bargain” suppliers. That means:

• Known concentration
• Verified manufacturing standards
• Clear safety data
• A real plan if a rare complication ever happens

For a treatment that goes into your face and near important nerves and blood vessels, that level of safety is not optional, it is basic respect.

Final Thoughts

Wrinkle relaxers are no longer just about frozen foreheads. With brands like Letybo and Jeuveau, which share the same core botulinum toxin type A molecule as Botox but often show results in 2 to 3 days, Tempe and Scottsdale patients can enjoy smoother lines, less tension and real quality of life improvements without waiting half a month to see what happened.
Millions of people in the United States already use these treatments every year, yet many still prefer to keep it private. That is okay. You do not owe anyone an explanation for how you choose to care for your face.
If you are curious, the next best step is simple: schedule a thoughtful consult with a licensed, experienced injector like NP Karla, ask all your questions and decide, on your terms, whether Letybo or Jeuveau fits your life, your values and your version of graceful aging.

References

Allergan. (2022). BOTOX (onabotulinumtoxinA) prescribing information.

American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (2024). 2023 Plastic surgery statistics report. American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Anu Aesthetics. (2019). How long does it take for Jeuveau to work aNu Aesthetics

Ayana Dermatology. (2024). Jeuveau vs Botox: Understanding the differences Ayana Dermatology & Aesthetics
Eternal Dermatology. (2022). How quickly does Jeuveau start working Eternal Dermatology

Evolus. (2019). Jeuveau (prabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs) prescribing information.

Greenwich Medical Spa. (2025, June 16). Letybo: The newest neurotoxin for frown lines Greenwich Medical Spa

Impressions Dental. (2025). Botox statistics 2025: Facts, trends, types, costs and more Impressions Dental

International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. (2024). ISAPS international survey on aesthetic/cosmetic procedures performed in 2023 ISAPS

MBP Utah. (2023). What is Jeuveau treatment MB Putah

Naumann, M., & Lowe, N. J. (2001). Botulinum toxin type A in treatment of bilateral primary axillary hyperhidrosis. BMJ, 323(7313), 596–599.

New York Post. (2025, March 12). Botox’s biggest rival lands in the US: Letybo said to be faster acting and up to 30% cheaper New York Post

Plaza Medical Spa. (2025). Letybo vs Botox: Key differences explained Plaza Aesthetics & Wellness

Polo, M. (2008). Botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of excessive gingival display. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 133(2), 195–203.

Stanley Becker, I. (2025, July 29). How Botox went middle class. The Washington Post. The Washington Post

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2010). BOTOX (onabotulinumtoxinA) label revision for chronic migraine indication.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025, November 5). Warning letters to companies distributing unapproved injectable botulinum toxin products