Letybo vs Botox: What’s the Difference?

Letybo and Botox are both FDA-approved botulinum toxin type A neuromodulators that temporarily smooth frown lines between the brows. The biggest practical differences: Botox is also approved for forehead lines and crow’s feet, while Letybo is approved only for frown lines, and Letybo tends to show results within 3 to 6 days. Both last about 3 to 4 months. Neither is universally “better.” The right choice depends on your goals, your history, and your injector’s recommendation.

Botox has been the household name in wrinkle relaxers for more than two decades. Letybo is one of the newest options to reach U.S. patients, but it arrives with tens of millions of treatments behind it overseas. If you are deciding between them, or wondering whether to switch, this guide compares the two on the points that actually affect your experience and your results.

Quick answer: how do Letybo and Botox compare?

Here is the comparison at a glance. If you only have thirty seconds, this table covers most of the decision.

The short version: they do the same job through the same mechanism, but Botox has a broader set of FDA-approved cosmetic uses, while Letybo is focused on frown lines and is newer to the United States despite a long global history. Now the longer answer.

What is Botox?

Botox is the brand name for onabotulinumtoxinA, a botulinum toxin type A made by AbbVie (formerly Allergan). The FDA first approved it for cosmetic use in 2002, and it has since become the most recognized neuromodulator in the world. Cosmetically, it is FDA-approved to temporarily smooth frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet, and it also has a long list of approved medical uses outside aesthetics.

Botox works by temporarily relaxing the muscles that create dynamic wrinkles, the lines that appear when you frown, raise your brows, or squint. With the target muscles relaxed, the overlying skin looks smoother, and the effect wears off gradually over a few months.

What is Letybo?

Letybo is the brand name for letibotulinumtoxinA, also a botulinum toxin type A, made by the South Korean company Hugel. It received FDA approval in the United States in February 2024 for moderate to severe frown lines between the brows. Although it is new to U.S. patients, it is far from untested: it has been used in more than 31 million procedures worldwide and has been the top-selling neuromodulator in South Korea for several consecutive years.

Letybo is a highly purified type A formulation. Its strong SV2 receptor binding and relatively contained diffusion radius are designed to support precise placement, which is one reason injectors have taken interest in it. For a fuller introduction, see our explainer on what Letybo is and how it works.

Side-by-side: Letybo vs Botox

The decision usually comes down to a handful of practical factors. Here is how the two compare on each.

Approved treatment areas

This is the clearest difference. Botox is FDA-approved for three cosmetic areas: frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet. Letybo is FDA-approved for one: moderate to severe frown lines between the brows. If your main concern is the “11s” between your eyebrows, both products target that area directly. If you also want to address your forehead or the lines around your eyes, those uses are within Botox’s approved indications but outside Letybo’s. A good injector will be upfront about this distinction.

How fast they work

Letybo typically shows results within 3 to 6 days, and Botox usually within 3 to 7 days. In practice these windows overlap, and individual onset varies based on dose, muscle strength, and your own physiology. If a fast onset is a priority for you, mention it during your consultation so your injector can set realistic expectations.

How long results last

Both products typically last about 3 to 4 months for frown lines, consistent with their FDA-approved labeling. Duration is influenced by your metabolism, the strength of the treated muscles, your dose, and how often you have been treated. Because the effect is temporary in both cases, maintaining results means returning a few times a year. Our guide on how long Botox lasts and what affects it applies to Letybo as well.

Formulation and placement

Botox and Letybo are both type A toxins, but their formulations differ. Letybo is a highly purified preparation, and its binding and diffusion characteristics are designed to help it stay close to the placement site. These are product characteristics, not promises of a superior result. With any neuromodulator, the injector’s skill and dosing matter more to your outcome than the brand on the vial.

Cost

Both products are typically priced by the unit, and the number of units you need depends on your anatomy and goals rather than the brand. As a newer entrant, Letybo is sometimes offered competitively, but pricing varies by practice and over time. The most useful comparison is the cost to maintain your results across a year, which your injector can estimate during a consultation.

Track record

Botox has the longest history of any cosmetic neuromodulator in the U.S., with more than twenty years of use and an enormous body of data. Letybo is newer to the United States but carries a substantial global track record, with more than 31 million procedures worldwide and years as South Korea’s market leader. Both are well-established products, just on different timelines in the U.S. market.

Which one should you choose?

For frown lines specifically, both Letybo and Botox are reasonable, FDA-approved options, and the better choice is the one your injector recommends after assessing your face, your history, and your goals. A few general patterns can help frame the conversation.

Botox may make more sense if you want to treat multiple areas in one plan, since it is approved for the forehead and crow’s feet in addition to frown lines. Letybo may appeal if your focus is frown lines, if you want to try a different product than the one you have used, or if your injector feels its placement profile suits your anatomy. Some patients who feel their previous neuromodulator is not performing as it once did also ask about trying a new option, which is a clinical decision to make with your provider rather than a guaranteed fix. For the broader category, our Botox vs wrinkle relaxers guide compares Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau as well.

Can you switch between Letybo and Botox?

Yes, switching is common and generally straightforward. There is no mandatory waiting period beyond letting your current treatment run its natural course. Your injector will review what you have used, how you responded, and what you are hoping to improve, then decide on the product and dose. Many patients try more than one neuromodulator over the years before settling on a favorite, and that is a normal part of the process.

Are Letybo and Botox safe?

Both are FDA-approved and have well-characterized safety profiles when administered by trained providers. Common side effects are mild and temporary, including redness, swelling, or bruising at the injection site, headache, and occasionally a temporary droop if the product affects a nearby muscle. As a class, botulinum toxin products carry an FDA boxed warning about the rare possibility of effects spreading beyond the injection site. This is why both products should be administered only by a licensed, medically trained injector who reviews your health history first. We do not promise specific outcomes, and results vary from person to person. Our guide on choosing a qualified injector explains what to look for.

Frequently asked questions

Is Letybo as good as Botox?

For frown lines, both are FDA-approved and effective options, and neither is universally better. Botox has a longer U.S. history and a broader set of approved cosmetic areas, while Letybo has a large global track record and is focused on frown lines. The best product for you depends on your goals and your injector’s assessment, not on the brand name alone.

Does Letybo work faster than Botox?

Letybo typically shows results within 3 to 6 days and Botox within 3 to 7 days, so the windows overlap. Some patients notice Letybo setting in toward the earlier end, but onset varies by individual, dose, and muscle strength. If speed matters to you, discuss it with your injector.

Is Letybo cheaper than Botox?

Pricing varies by practice and over time, and both are usually priced per unit. As a newer product, Letybo is sometimes offered competitively, but the number of units you need depends on your anatomy, not the brand. Ask your injector for an estimate based on your treatment plan.

Can Letybo be used on the forehead and crow’s feet like Botox?

Botox is FDA-approved for frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet. Letybo is FDA-approved only for frown lines. Using it elsewhere would be outside its approved indication, so if you want to treat multiple areas, talk with your provider about which product fits your full set of goals.

If Botox stopped working for me, will Letybo work?

Not necessarily, and there is no guarantee. There are several reasons a neuromodulator may seem less effective over time, and your injector should explore them with you. Trying a different product is sometimes part of that conversation, but it is a clinical decision rather than a promised solution.

Compare your options with an expert

Letybo and Botox are both solid, FDA-approved ways to soften frown lines, with real differences in approved areas, onset, and track record. The most reliable way to choose is to talk it through with an injector who can assess your face and your goals in person. At Esthetica Med Spa, every treatment is performed by medically trained nurse injectors, and our consultations are honest assessments rather than sales pitches. Book a complimentary consultation or explore our wrinkle relaxer options to get started.