As a seasoned plastic surgeon, I often find myself at the forefront of the latest developments in aesthetic medicine. Letybo, a promising new player in the field of neuromodulators, which has recently been approved by the FDA for use in the United States. 

Letybo, developed by Hugel Inc., is poised to challenge the long-standing reign of Botox and compete with Xeomin, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Daxxify. But how does it stack up against the well-established Botox, and what makes it a noteworthy alternative?

A Brief History of Letybo

Letybo, known in South Korea as Botulax, has been a leading botulinum toxin product in its home country for several years. Hugel Inc., the company behind Letybo, has successfully expanded its reach to over 63 countries, including major markets in Europe and China. 

The journey to FDA approval in the United States was not without its challenges; it took Hugel three attempts to meet the stringent requirements set by the FDA[1][3]. This persistence paid off, marking Hugel as the first Korean company to secure market approvals in all three major aesthetic markets[7].

Letybo vs. Botox: The Showdown

Let’s break down how Letybo compares to Botox across several key factors:

Why Consider Letybo?

Letybo offers several advantages that might appeal to both patients and practitioners:

1. Faster Results: Patients can expect to see improvements within a few days, which is ideal for those seeking quick enhancements. Some injectors feel it works slightly sooner than Botox, but most seem to think it works in the same time frame. 
2. Longer-Lasting Effects: With potentially longer-lasting results, Letybo may reduce the frequency of treatments, offering convenience and cost savings. We will see if this anecdotal or real. 
3. Ideal for Botox Non-Responders: Some patients may not respond optimally to Botox due to individual variations. Letybo’s distinct formulation could provide an effective alternative for these individuals.

The Future of Letybo in the U.S. Market

Hugel has strategically partnered with BENEV, a U.S.-based cosmeceuticals distributor, to ensure a successful launch and rapid market penetration [4]. This partnership aims to secure a significant market share within a few years, leveraging both companies’ strengths in sales and marketing.

Conclusion

As Letybo prepares to make its debut in the U.S., it brings with it the promise of innovation and choice in the realm of aesthetic medicine. While Botox remains a trusted and reliable option, Letybo’s unique attributes make it a compelling alternative for those seeking potentially faster and potentially longer-lasting results. 

Clinical studies are done, but I have definitely seen that studies are not the same as the real world.  I have written and posted videos about my opinions on Jeuveau and Daxxify.

Essentially, Jeuveau has clearly shown in studies that it lasts about 3 months.  In reality, in my opinion, it seems to last only about 2 months.

Daxxify has been shown in studies to last 6 months. In my opinion, in the real world, it seems to only has about 5 months in the muscles between the eyebrows – the glabella area – and even less, like 4 months, in the forehead and crow’s feet areas.

Botox by Allergan has been able to maintain a premium in terms of price in the injectables market, and it remains to be seen if a different company can maintain profitability while potentially offering lower wholesale pricing. 

In the ever-evolving world of aesthetic medicine, Letybo is a testament to the progress and innovation that continue to shape our field. Whether it will dethrone Botox as the reigning champion remains to be seen, but it certainly adds an exciting new dimension to our toolkit.

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