Botox vs. Dysport: What’s the Difference?
Much the way the term “Band-Aid” is used generally to refer to adhesive bandages, “Botox” is often used as a shorthand for aesthetic injections, but in reality, there are several options available that are widely used.
Of those options, Dysport is another neurotoxin that shares so many of the same qualities as Botox that people commonly struggle to understand which is the right product for their needs.
Ahead, we’ll walk through their similarities and differences, so you understand which will provide the results you’re looking for.
What are Botox and Dysport?
Both Botox and Dysport are neurotoxins derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and therefore feature the same active ingredient, botulinum toxin type A.
The injection procedure itself is similar, and both neurotoxins function by influencing the communication between nerves and muscles, causing the muscles in a targeted area to relax. In other words, the injected muscles stop contracting due to facial expressions. Without that muscle movement, the skin that lies on top of the muscles smooths out, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Although Dysport is less expensive per unit, it requires more injections (more on this below!), which means the total investment for either product tends to be comparable as well.
Ultimately, your choice between the two will come down to your goals and the areas you want to treat.
What are the differences between Botox and Dysport?
While Botox and Dysport share the same primary ingredient, Dysport is structurally different, as it consists of different proteins that decrease its overall molecular weight. This means Dysport is more diluted and offers the ability to spread, thereby covering more surface area.
Whether this is preferable depends on where you want your treatment. Botox is approved for treating crow’s-feet, forehead lines, and glabellar “eleven” lines (a.k.a., the vertical lines between your eyes that show up when you frown). Dysport, on the other hand, is approved for moderate to severe glabellar wrinkles and is often used to cover larger areas like the forehead.
Now you may ask, “If Botox can technically work on the forehead and eleven lines, why would an injecting professional ever choose Dysport?”
Because of its more diluted nature, Dysport spreads more evenly across expansive areas like the forehead. Many people also believe they get less of a “frozen” look with Dysport.
You will also notice the results of Dysport in about a day or two, whereas with Botox you have to wait three days to a week (though the difference isn’t all that much, we think). In terms of how long the results last, it depends on a variety of factors, like your unique body chemistry and the location of injection. Generally, Dysport will last four to six months, whereas Botox can last three to four months.
Whether you choose Botox, Dysport, or both should be determined through an open collaboration with your injector. At Roddy Medspa, you can speak freely about your goals (and fears!), so we can develop the proper treatment plan. If you’re interested in learning more, schedule a consultation with one of our experts today.
Source: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/dysport-vs-botox/
