McKeown Medical
167 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4SQ
Relfydess at Six Months: What Our Patients Really Think
When a new anti-wrinkle treatment comes to market, it often generates a lot of buzz, but at McKeown Medical, we prefer evidence over hype.
Published by Dr Darren McKeown
Date posted — 23.10.25
Although all of these new drugs come to market with clinical trial evidence to support the manufacturing claims, we know that pharmaceutical companies often have a way of getting trials to say what they want them to say. What we are really interested in is what happens in the real world, and that’s what we wanted to find out.
Around six months ago, we began offering Relfydess, a next-generation botulinum toxin that promised faster onset, longer duration, and a smoother aesthetic finish compared to traditional products like Botox® and Azzalure®. To understand whether these claims translate into real-world results, we conducted a structured patient satisfaction survey: first, shortly after we introduced the product to assess the short-term impact, and again nearly six months later. The goal was to find out whether patients genuinely noticed a difference in how Relfydess works and lasts compared to their usual toxin treatment.
The Background: Early Impressions
When we first introduced Relfydess earlier this year, initial feedback from our patients was promising. Many reported that their results appeared to take effect slightly sooner than they were used to and described a particularly “crisp” or “polished” look to the final result.
The main drawback at that early stage? The injections themselves were more uncomfortable than those from conventional toxin formulations. This is consistent with what we expected based on the product’s formulation, which has a different pH and lacks certain buffering ingredients used in traditional toxins.
Encouraged by these early impressions, we wanted to assess whether these perceived benefits held over time. You can read the full early results here.
The Six-Month Follow-Up Survey
We have now approached the same patients who were treated in the first month of us offering Relfydess, and 62 patients responded, all of whom had previously used other botulinum toxins before switching to Relfydess. We asked three simple questions:
- Did you feel that Relfydess kicked in faster, slower, or about the same as your previous toxin?
- How did you feel about the way Relfydess looked compared with your previous toxin?
- How do you feel the results have lasted over time compared with your previous toxin?
Here’s what our patients said.
1. Onset: Did Relfydess Kick In Faster?
- 69% felt Relfydess kicked in faster than their previous toxin
- 31% said it was about the same
- 0% thought their previous toxin kicked in faster
This result confirms what many patients reported early on: a noticeably quicker onset. For busy patients who like to see results promptly before a special event, this may be a meaningful advantage.
2. Appearance: Did It Look Better?
- 52% felt Relfydess looked better than their previous toxin
- 35% thought it looked about the same
- 13% preferred the look they achieved with previous treatments
More than half of patients preferred the aesthetic finish achieved with Relfydess. The most common description was a “refined” or “cleaner” look, suggesting subtle qualitative differences in how the product diffuses in facial muscles and how movement settles over time.
3. Longevity: Did It Last Longer?
- 56% felt Relfydess lasted longer
- 38% thought it lasted about the same
- 6% felt their previous toxin lasted longer
Durability is one of the key areas where Relfydess claims superiority, and our data seems to support that, at least modestly. Over half of patients felt their results lasted longer, with only a small minority perceiving shorter duration.
Interpreting the Results
These findings build on our earlier short-term impressions and suggest that Relfydess delivers tangible advantages for a majority of patients, particularly in terms of faster onset and potentially improved longevity. This is not in manufacturer-sponsored clinical trials but in a real-world setting.
However, as with all aesthetic treatments, results vary between individuals. Those who have already achieved excellent outcomes with their previous toxin may find the differences subtle. For others, especially those who had started to feel their results weren’t lasting as long as they once did, Relfydess appears to offer a welcome improvement.
We also continue to monitor the issue of injection discomfort. While most patients find it tolerable, we’ve adapted our injection technique by adding a small amount of local anaesthetic to help reduce stinging and will continue refining this as experience grows.
What This Means for Our Patients
The takeaway is clear: Relfydess is not simply a marketing gimmick; it appears to offer real, patient-perceived benefits. That said, it’s not necessarily the right choice for everyone. Our team will continue to offer a range of botulinum toxin options, tailoring each treatment to your goals, comfort level, and previous experiences.
If you’re curious about whether Relfydess might be a good option for you, we’d encourage you to book a consultation with one of our clinicians to discuss your aesthetic goals in more detail.
Book your consultation
Contact us today to arrange a consultation and discover which treatment option is right for you.
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