Botox and Dysport are the two most common neurotoxins used in med spas and clinics around the country for erasing wrinkles and fine lines. Botox injections are more well known.
But what is Dysport? How similar are they and can they be used interchangeably?
We’ll explore the differences and similarities between Botox and Dysport in this post.
Botox Vs. Dysport: The Main Differences
| Botox | Dysport | |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Neurotoxin derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum used as an injection to treat wrinkles | Neurotoxin derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum used as an injection to treat wrinkles |
| Which areas does it treat? | FDA approved to treat glabellar lines (vertical lines between the eyebrows), wrinkles around the eyes (crow’s feet), lines on the forehead, chin wrinkles | FDA approved to treat glabellar lines (vertical lines between the eyebrows) |
| Number of treatments | Depends on the area being treated and the patient’s needs | Depends on the patient’s needs |
| How long does the procedure last? | A few minutes | A few minutes |
| Common side effects | Most common: bruising
Less common: headache or eyelid drooping | Mostly no side effects |
| Recovery time | No recovery time needed | No recovery time needed |
| Time to first results | Up to 2 weeks after the injection | About 3 days after the injection |
| How long do effects last? | Up to 6 months | Up to 6 months |
| Price | $12 per unit | $3.99 per unit |
Botox Overview
Botox is a botulinum toxin injection used for reducing the appearance of wrinkles on the face.
How It Works
Botulinum toxin weakens muscles by temporarily inhibiting their ability to contract. This feature of the toxin is used by the beauty industry as a great way to erase wrinkles. When the substance is injected into a muscle whose movement has created a deep wrinkle, the skin that covers that muscle relaxes, leading to smooth, wrinkle-free skin.
Which Areas Does Botox Treat?
The FDA approved the use of Botox injections for frown lines between eyebrows (glabellar lines), wrinkles around the eyes (also called crow’s feet), and lines on the forehead.
How Many Treatments Are Needed?
The number of Botox units a patient needs depends on the area being treated and how much wrinkle reduction the patient wants.
How Long Does the Procedure Last?
The injection takes only a few minutes. The whole procedure may last a bit longer, depending on how long it takes the anesthetic to take effect.
Potential Side-Effects
The most common side effect of Botox is bruising, but it doesn’t affect all patients. Sometimes, a patient can suffer from a headache after the treatment. A headache usually resolves in 24-48 hours. A very small percentage of patients experience eyelid drooping. This issue gradually goes away in about three weeks.
Some patients suffer from:
- Tenderness, soreness, pain, or skin reactions in the injection area
- Nose and throat irritation
- Upper respiratory system infection
- Sinus inflammation
- Nausea
You can combat these issues with over-the-counter analgesics such as Tylenol, though you should always consult your injector about which medications to take.
In extremely rare instances, patients may experience severe side effects, such as:
- Difficulty in swallowing, speaking, and breathing
- Flu-like illness
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Bleeding (if the practitioner injects too deep and hits a blood vessel)
- Fatigue
- Rashes
Botox Recovery Time
No recovery time is needed after a Botox treatment. The patient can immediately go about their daily activities.
Time to First Results
The first results usually appear one or two weeks after the procedure.
Botox Pricing
One Botox unit costs $12. The price of a Botox treatment depends on the number of units required. Consult your medical aesthetician to find out how many units you need.
Botox: Pros and Cons
The advantage of using Botox is that it‘s minimally invasive and treats various areas on the face. It also provides long-lasting results.
The downside of Botox is that there is a small population that shows no response to the treatment. These patients may benefit from Dysport injections.
To learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of this neurotoxin, check out our detailed article on Botox Pros and Cons.
Dysport Overview
Dysport is a Botulinum toxin injection used to reduce the appearance of frown lines between the eyebrows.
How It Works
Dysport works the same way as Botox injections. The medical practitioner injects a certain number of Dysport units into the treatment area between the eyebrows, relaxing the underlying muscles that move and cause wrinkles.
Which Areas Does Dysport Treat?
Dysport is FDA approved to treat glabellar or frown lines. These are vertical lines that appear between the eyebrows. For glabellar lines, Dysport is just as good at stopping nerve signals from reaching the muscle as Botox.
How Many Treatments Are Needed?
The number of necessary treatments depends on the patient’s needs.
How Long Does the Procedure Last?
It takes a few minutes for the medical practitioner to inject Dysport. The whole procedure, with the anesthetic, takes under half an hour.
Note: Read our article and find out more on how long does it take for Dysport to work.
Potential Side-Effects
Potential side effects of Dysport and Botox are the same, though there are usually fewer side-effects with Dysport.
Dysport Recovery Time
No recovery time is needed after a Dysport treatment.
Dysport Pricing
One Dysport unit costs $3.99. The total cost will depend on how many units the patient needs.
Dysport: Pros and Cons
The advantage of using Dysport is that the effects show up more quickly than the effects of Botox, and there are usually no side effects.
The downside of Dysport is that some patients don’t react to this cosmetic treatment. They may have better results with Botox.
Botox Vs. Dysport: Which One to Choose?
Botox and Dysport are cosmetic treatments that use the same type of neurotoxin to reduce visible lines on the face. Their procedures and effects are very similar.
If you want to reduce lines on the forehead or around the eyes, choose Botox because it’s FDA approved for those areas.
If you want to minimize frown wrinkles between the eyebrows, you may choose between Botox and Dysport.
The effects of Dysport kick in about three days after the injection, while Botox takes up to two weeks. Botox is a little more expensive, but the effects may last longer. The decision may come down to your practitioner’s recommendation.
Please note you should never have both products injected in an area at the same time or during the same treatment.
Even though getting Botox or Dysport is a non-surgical procedure, follow your medical professional’s advice to minimize any discomfort and get the best results possible.
Conclusion
Both Botox and Dysport are popular injectables for reducing wrinkles. The right product for you will depend on which areas you want to treat, your previous injection history, your body’s ability to utilize the medication, and how quickly you want to see results. In most cases, either Dysport or Botox can be used. In the right hands, the outcome will be the same.
To check out our clients’ results, feel free to browse through our Before and After Gallery! And check out our article on Dysport vs. Restylane to learn about the differences between these two.
