How does Boey® work?

Canada’s new fast-acting neurotoxin softens frown lines in as little as 8 hours and fades in 2 to 3 weeks. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Paul Kuzel explains why.

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Dr. Paul Kuzel
Dr. Paul Kuzel, MD, FRCPCDermatologist · Medical Director, Rejuvenation Calgary South · November 3, 2026 · 5 min read
Dr. Paul Kuzel explains Boey
Read the video transcript

Hey, guys. Today I wanted to talk about how Boey, the brand new neurotoxin to the market, works. Boey fundamentally works in a similar manner to Botox, Dysport and Xeomin, but there are key differences. Like these other products, Boey enters the nerve terminal within the muscle that you’re targeting and binds to a protein called SNAP-25. By binding that protein, it prevents acetylcholine from being released from the nerve terminal and activating the target muscle. In that way, it relaxes the targeted muscle, so the muscle cannot contract as much as it did in the past. If you do that to the frown muscles, the forehead muscles or the muscles in the crow’s feet area, you soften those lines because those muscles can’t contract as firmly.

But how is it different from Botox, Dysport and Xeomin? It’s different primarily because it gets taken up into the nerve terminal much quicker than those other products. Within eight hours, patients start to notice a significant effect from the product. And the effect on the nerve terminal does not last as long. Within about three weeks, most of the effect of Boey is gone. That’s how we achieve the rapid onset, short duration results which are characteristic of Boey.

The Short Version

Boey in one minute.

Quick answer: Boey® (trenibotulinumtoxinE) works like Botox®, Dysport® and Xeomin®: it quiets the nerve signal that tells a frown muscle to contract, so lines soften. The difference is speed and duration. Boey is taken up by the nerve much faster, so some patients see softening in as little as 8 hours, and it wears off in about 2 to 3 weeks.

Boey® is the first botulinum toxin serotype E approved for cosmetic use anywhere in the world. Health Canada authorized it on June 23, 2026, making Canada the first country to approve it. It is made by Allergan Aesthetics, the makers of BOTOX® Cosmetic, and is approved for the temporary improvement of moderate to severe frown lines (the “11s” between the brows) in adults.

Boey is now available at Rejuvenation Dermatology.

8 hrsEarliest softening
2 to 3Weeks of effect
Type EToxin serotype
947Patients in Phase 3 trials
The Science

How does Boey work?

Every facial expression starts with a nerve signal. When you frown, nerve endings in the muscle release a chemical messenger called acetylcholine, and the muscle contracts. Boey interrupts that message.

  1. Injection. Boey is placed into the targeted muscle, such as the frown muscles between the brows.
  2. Uptake. It enters the nerve terminal inside that muscle.
  3. SNAP-25. There it acts on SNAP-25, a protein the nerve needs to release acetylcholine.
  4. Quieter signal. With less acetylcholine released, the muscle cannot contract as firmly.
  5. Softer line. The skin above that muscle creases less, so the line looks smoother.
Dr. Paul Kuzel, dermatologist

Like these other products, Boey enters the nerve terminal within the muscle you’re targeting. By preventing acetylcholine from being released, it relaxes the targeted muscle, so it can’t contract as much as it did before.

Dr. Paul Kuzel, MD, FRCPCDermatologist, Rejuvenation Dermatology
Boey vs Botox, Dysport & Xeomin

Same mechanism. Different clock.

All four relax muscles the same basic way. Boey stands apart on timing: it reaches the nerve faster and leaves sooner, by design.

Boey®
Botox®, Dysport®, Xeomin®
Toxin type
Serotype E
Serotype A
Uptake into the nerve
Much faster
Slower
First visible softening
As early as 8 hours
Usually 2 to 5 days
How long results last
About 2 to 3 weeks
Typically 3 to 4 months
Best for
First-timers, a preview, an event coming up soon
Long-lasting maintenance
Dr. Paul Kuzel, dermatologist

It’s different primarily because it gets taken up into the nerve terminal much quicker than those other products. And the effect on the nerve terminal does not last as long. That’s how we achieve the rapid onset, short duration results that are characteristic of Boey.

Dr. Paul Kuzel, MD, FRCPCDermatologist, Rejuvenation Dermatology
Your Timeline

What to expect after Boey.

Treatment dayA quick in-clinic visit: a few small injections between the brows, then back to your day.
From 8 hoursSome patients start to see softening.
Around day 7In the clinical trials, 60% to 66% of patients met the study’s improvement target.
Weeks 2 to 3The effect fades and the muscle returns to its usual movement.

Units of Boey are not interchangeable with other neurotoxins, so your injector doses it specifically for you.

Who Boey Is For

A preview, not a commitment.

01

First-timers

See how a neurotoxin looks on your own face before committing for months.

02

An event this week

A wedding, photos or a presentation in the next few days. Results arrive fast and fade on their own.

03

The curious

A short, low-commitment trial if three to four months feels like a big first step.

04

Botox patients

A quick refresh. BOTOX® Cosmetic is the only neurotoxin clinically studied for use after Boey, so it is a natural next step.

Safety

Is Boey safe?

Boey was studied in two placebo-controlled Phase 3 trials with more than 900 adults. The most common side effects were mild and reported no more often than with placebo. Eyelid or brow drooping was uncommon.

3.4%Headache (4.2% placebo)
1.7%Injection-site pain (2.9% placebo)
0.6%Redness (1.3% placebo)

As with any neurotoxin, treatment should be done by a trained medical injector after a consultation. At Rejuvenation Dermatology, your provider reviews your health history and previous treatments before your first Boey appointment. Wondering if Boey suits you? Read who Boey is right for.

FAQ

Boey questions, answered.

Still deciding between Boey and Botox? Your injector can help you choose at your consultation.

How does Boey work?

Boey enters the nerve endings in the treated muscle and acts on SNAP-25, a protein the nerve needs to release acetylcholine. Less acetylcholine means the muscle contracts less, so frown lines soften.

How fast does Boey work?

Some patients notice softening as early as 8 hours after treatment. Most of the effect is seen within the first week.

How long does Boey last?

About 2 to 3 weeks. That short duration is by design, which makes Boey a low-commitment way to try a neurotoxin.

What is the difference between Boey and Botox?

Both relax muscles the same way. Boey (serotype E) starts working in hours and lasts 2 to 3 weeks. Botox (serotype A) takes a few days to start and lasts about 3 to 4 months.

Can I get Botox after Boey?

Yes. BOTOX® Cosmetic is the only neurotoxin clinically studied for use after Boey, so you can move to longer-lasting results if you like how you look.

What areas can Boey treat?

In Canada, Boey is approved for moderate to severe frown lines (the “11s” between the eyebrows) in adults.

Is Boey available at Rejuvenation Dermatology?

Yes. Boey is now available at Rejuvenation Dermatology, with clinics in Calgary, Okotoks, Edmonton, Vancouver and Oakville. Book your Boey treatment at the clinic nearest you.

Prefer to read? The full video transcript is under the video at the top of this page.

Available At

Boey® at all nine Rejuvenation clinics.

Boey is offered at every Rejuvenation Dermatology clinic across Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. Choose your clinic below, or call to find the next available appointment.

Calgary SouthAlberta
10201 Southport Rd SW #102
Calgary, AB T2W 4X9

Mon 7am to 7pm · Tue and Wed 7am to 8pm · Thu 7am to 7pm · Fri 7am to 5:30pm · Sat 8am to 3:30pm · Sun 9am to 3pm

Book Boey(587) 443-9881Directions
Calgary NorthAlberta
130 Country Village Rd NE #405
Calgary, AB T3K 6B8

Mon to Thu 7:30am to 8pm · Fri 7:30am to 5pm · Sat 8am to 3pm · Closed Sun

Book Boey(587) 443-9185Directions
Calgary WestAlberta
780 78 Street SW #201
Calgary, AB T3H 3V6

Mon to Thu 7am to 7pm · Fri 7am to 5pm · Closed Sat and Sun

Book Boey(825) 401-8588Directions
Calgary Vein & LaserAlberta
10201 Southport Rd SW #225
Calgary, AB T2W 4X9

Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm · Sat call for hours · Closed Sun

Book Boey(403) 252-4410Directions
OkotoksAlberta
10 D'Arcy Ranch Dr. #102
Okotoks, AB T1S 5V9

Mon to Fri 9am to 4:30pm · Closed Sat and Sun

Book Boey(587) 443-3525Directions
Edmonton DowntownAlberta
10665 Jasper Ave #780
Edmonton, AB T5J 3S9

Mon to Fri 7am to 6pm · Closed Sat and Sun

Book Boey(780) 733-0029Directions
Edmonton SouthAlberta
5083 Windermere Blvd #101
Edmonton, AB T6W 0J5

Mon 7am to 7pm · Tue 7am to 8pm · Wed 7am to 7pm · Thu 7am to 8pm · Fri 7am to 7pm · Sat and Sun 9am to 4pm

Book Boey(587) 442-9121Directions
Vancouver Coal HarbourBritish Columbia
1055 Canada Pl #62
Vancouver, BC V6C 0C3

Mon to Fri 8am to 4:30pm · Closed Sat and Sun

Book Boey(778) 262-0880Directions
OakvilleOntario
2295 Bristol Circle #101
Oakville, ON L6H 6P8

Mon to Fri 8am to 5pm · Sat by appointment · Closed Sun

Book Boey(289) 291-2955Directions
Now Available

Try Boey at Rejuvenation.

A fast preview before an event, or a first step toward longer-lasting Botox results. Book at the Rejuvenation Dermatology clinic nearest you in Calgary, Okotoks, Edmonton, Vancouver or Oakville.

Book Boey → Explore Boey → Call (403) 286-6888
Calgary North, South & WestCalgary Vein & LaserOkotoksEdmonton South & DowntownVancouver Coal HarbourOakville

This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Boey® (trenibotulinumtoxinE) is a prescription medicine authorized by Health Canada for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines (glabellar lines) in adults. Onset, degree and duration of results vary between individuals. Suitability and dosing are determined at a personal consultation with a qualified provider.

Important safety information. Boey should not be used by anyone with an infection at the planned injection site or a known allergy to any botulinum toxin product. Adverse reactions reported in clinical trials included headache, injection-site pain and redness, and, uncommonly, eyelid or brow drooping. As with all botulinum toxin products, the effect can in rare cases spread away from the treated area and cause symptoms such as muscle weakness, drooping eyelids, double or blurred vision, or difficulty swallowing or breathing; seek medical attention immediately if any of these occur. One unit of Boey is not the same as one unit of any other botulinum toxin product. Boey®, Botox® and Botox Cosmetic® are trademarks of Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company.

Contact Rejuvenation Dermatology

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