How Long Does Dysport Last

Botox vs Dysport: What’s The Difference?

Wrinkles are a natural sign of aging. As we age, we lose collagen and elasticity in our skin. This can be exacerbated by habits like smoking or over-exposure to the sun. Facial expressions such as frowning, squinting, and even smiling can make wrinkles seem more pronounced. If you want to look as young as you feel, there are options for eliminating or drastically reducing wrinkles and fine lines. Two of the most popular are injectables like Botox and Dysport. So what’s the difference?.

What are injectables?

Drinking plenty of water and a good skin care regimen can keep your skin looking youthful for longer, but time has a way of marching on despite our best efforts. Injectables are an excellent, non-surgical way to smooth out wrinkles like laugh lines or lines in the forehead. Some can even bring more volume to part of our face. These injectables can reduce the signs of wrinkles and even help contour parts of the body. At Viso Juve, we are fortunate to have Cheri Morales, ARPN-BC and Carla Cole, APRN-BC, who are Master Injectors, but also are National Injectable Trainers.

There are two categories of injectable treatments, neuromodulators and soft tissue fillers. Neuromodulators help reduce fine lines that result over time from facial movements like smiling. Soft-tissue fillers, on the other hand, help increase volume that can be lost with age in areas like the cheeks, lips, chin, and forehead. Both Dysport and Botox are neuromodulators that give you a refreshened look with reduced facial lines for months at a time.

Why Does Everyone Want a Neuromodulator?

The aesthetic field continues to progress and find new ways to obtain the best, non-invasive results. When a neuromodulator is injected into the muscle, it not only relaxes facial muscles, but it can also be placed in opposing muscles for a “lifting” effect. For instance, if the lines between the eyes are injected, the lateral brows can be lifted. Additionally, there are many facial differences that can be helped with Dysport and/or Botox. Gummy smiles, irregular muscle pulling around the mouth, correcting facial deformities from Bell’s Palsy, or other neurological medical conditions are just a few benefits that people can expect from this treatment.

What is Botox?

Both Dysport and Botox are produced from bacterium clostridium botulinum, also known as Botulinum Type A. When used in controlled amounts in clinical setting, they block the nerve signals that the face sends to the brain by reducing the muscles’ ability to move and contract as freely as before treatment. Botox was approved for cosmetic use in the U.S. in 2002.

What is Dysport?

Due to Botox’s success, other companies also entered the injectables space. Dysport appeared in Europe soon after Botox was launched, and is now used in over 60 countries. In 2009, the FDA approved Dysport for use in the United States. Since then, it’s been proven to be an effective, non-invasive treatment for wrinkles, and fine lines that can be equally as effective as Botox. Dysport is growing in favorability.

How are Dysport and Botox seemingly the same but different?

At first glance, there seems to be no real difference between the two. Both contain the same active ingredient (Botulinum Type A) and can reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

According to an article written in JAMA Dermatology in 2007, research concluded that Dysport proved to have a longer lasting effect on muscle movement in the forehead then Botox. There are also differences in the size of vials of product. Botox comes in a 100u vial and Dysport in a 300u vial. That being said, the calculation of the dose in units are different. At Viso Juve, we charge $13 a unit for Botox and $5 a unit for Dysport injections. If only one area of the face is being treated, the cost is relatively the same. However, treating multiple areas of the face, the cost will be less with Dysport.

Is Dysport better for one area of the face than another?

The answer to that question is it all depends on how Botox & Dysport are diluted. Botox vs Dysport differs in terms of its molecular behavior and diffusion. If you dilute each with the same amount of fluid, the results are similar. However, if you want greater dispersion of the product for larger areas like the forehead, having a more dilute product might be best. This allows it to spread faster, especially over a larger surface area, with just a few injections. So the differences really come down to the way each injectable is applied by your injector. At Viso Juvé, both Botox and Dysport are highly concentrated for exact placement of the product.

Who is a good candidate for Botox or Dysport?

Both Botox and Dysport are FDA approved. Both have been studied and FDA for men and women ages 18 to 65. What makes you a good candidate for Botox or Dysport treatments?

You should have mild to severe facial wrinkles that have not responded well to dermatologist-recommended skin care techniques.

Your moderate wrinkles should be in positions that both Dysport or Botox can help like around the lips, cheeks, eyes, chin, and forehead.

You should be in relatively good health without any preexisting skin or medical conditions.

If you’re allergic to Botulinum Type A, are pregnant or breastfeeding or have existing skin allergies, Botox or Dysport might not be right for you. Be sure to let your practitioner know in advance if you have any of these conditions.

Are there any differences with the procedures when it comes to botox vs dysport?

The process for administering the two treatments of Dysport and Botox are exactly the same. After an assessment of your face and a discussion about your medical history, your practitioner will create a treatment plan.

It’s not uncommon for patients receive injections during their lunch break and return to work immediately since the procedures take less than 30 minutes. Compared to invasive procedures, injectables have shorter recovery period and high success rate. The biggest difference during the procedure would be the injectable used at the time.

What does an injectable treatment entail?

After completing a consultation and assessment of your facial muscles, the area(s) to be treated will be cleansed with alcohol. Identifying the muscles to be injected are often marked with a marking pen. The type of needles used for these injections are the smallest on the market and similar to what is used for insulin for diabetes. The procedure is quick, lasting less than ten minutes.

What are some of the do’s and don’t after receiving a Dysport or Botox treatment?

Avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours.

Do not massage your face or injection areas to avoid spreading the neuromodulator to other parts of the face for 72 hours.

Avoid exercise or strenuous activity for at least four hours.

Avoid direct sun exposure for at least 24 hours.

Do not lay down for three hours after.

Within a few days, you’ll begin to see a lessening of your wrinkles and an improved overall look.

Botox vs Dysport effectiveness?

Both Dysport and Botox injectables are a safe and effective way to reduce the signs of aging such as wrinkles and fine facial lines. In a 2019 study, 88 percent of patients were extremely satisfied with the results after just 30 days. Dysport and Botox lasts on average between two to four months before you need additional treatments to maintain the results you seek.

Are there any side effects to Dysport or Botox?

Since they contain the same active ingredient, Botulinum Toxin Type A, they have the same potential side effects. The most common reactions include minor pain related to the actual injection, and swelling at the injection site, a slight headache, or droopy eyelids. More serious side effects can include muscle spams, muscle weakness, and trouble swallowing. While these side effects are rare, you should seek medical assistance right away should you feel abnormally uncomfortable after a treatment.