As the hands of time march on, the effects of aging unfortunately leave their mark as fine lines and wrinkles. But if you want to erase their appearance, one of the easiest and most reliable ways to do so is with an injectable neurotoxin like Botox and Dysport. While both are used to treat unwanted fine lines and wrinkles caused by repeated facial movements, there are quite a few differences to know about when considering Dysport vs. Botox and making the right treatment choice for you.
How Botox Works
Botox is an injectable neurotoxin that smooths out wrinkles by blocking regular muscle-to-nerve communication. When the nerves that control muscle contractions are told not to move, they halt muscle movement so the muscle can’t contract and cause wrinkles to form. Over the years, Botox has become the go-to noninvasive way to treat unwanted forehead lines, crow’s feet, and lines between the eyebrows, but there are plenty of other off-label uses for it, too.
Botox, like Dysport, is not a permanent treatment, and the results last, on average, three to four months. So, to maintain the effects of your Botox treatment, you will need follow-up injections regularly.
Combination Treatments
Dysport or Botox is often part of a holistic aesthetic or anti-aging plan that includes other complementary treatments. Pairing neuromodulators with treatments like fillers, PRP, lasers, or microneedling can help you better achieve your desired goals. If your injector recommends a combination treatment plan, make sure to discuss how adding these add-ons to your Botox or Dysport will increase the price. Also, you’ll want to be clear on which treatments can be done in the same appointment as neuromodulators and which ones require separate appointments so that you can plan accordingly.
The Benefits of Botox
There are several reasons why patients choose to get regular Botox injections, with the most obvious one being its wrinkle-reducing effects, even though they are temporary. Other benefits of Botox include:
- The affordability factor
- Improved overall facial aesthetics and balance
- Increased self-confidence
- No downtime or recovery
- It can aid in medical conditions like excessive sweating, muscle spasms, and migraines
- Quick treatment with fast results
- Natural-looking results
Botox vs. Dysport: The effectiveness and the results
When weighing the results and effectiveness of Dysport vs. Botox, it’s essential to know that they both have wrinkle-reducing capabilities. Still, the molecular structure of each injectable is different, so the results may differ slightly depending on which one you choose to have injected. The formulas for Botox and Dysport are different based on the protein used in each.
With Dysport, you may see wrinkle-reducing effects and results in just a few days, whereas Botox might take up to a week for full effect on some. But being faster on the set of results doesn’t always mean better or longer-lasting ones since some people find that the effects of Botox last slightly longer than Dysport. Botox is also more focused on its action and location, whereas Dysport is more diffuse and spreads out more easily.
Another difference between Dysport vs. Botox is the price. Dysport may be a few dollars less than Botox, but that differs from injector to injector. The reason why is that Botox has more clinical data to support it.
Side Effects to Know About
Botox and Dysport have some potential side effects, which are minimal but still something to be aware of. Some of these treatments’ more common side effects include mild bruising, redness, discomfort at the treatment site, minor swelling, and drooping eyelids.
Dilution and Dosage
Not every person requires the same amount of units of Botox or Dysport to diminish fine lines and wrinkles or other benefits of these injectables. That’s why it’s crucial only to seek treatment with a skilled, experienced, and well-trained provider who understands how to dose your injections—too much can cause adverse effects, and not enough may not give you the results you are after. Besides proper dosing, diluting these products can also influence how many units are actually being injected because adding too much saline can cut the formula down too much and require more units, ultimately impacting the overall Botox cost.
Myths and Misconceptions
No matter if you choose Botox vs. Dysport to help get rid of your wrinkles, there are plenty of myths to debunk, including these common ones:
- Myth: Both Botox and Dysport will make me look frozen.
Dosing the injectable just right won’t make you look frozen, fake, or motionless. A frozen look tends to occur from overdosing, not under or appropriate dosing. When done correctly, Botox and Dysport will create a natural look. You’ll still look like yourself, just better.
- Misconception: The injections are painful.
Botox and Dysport are noninvasive, non painful treatments. The injections are quick and relatively painless. If you find them highly uncomfortable, topical numbing cream can be applied first, although most patients do not require it. This should reassure you about the comfort of the procedure.
- Myth: Once I start, I’ll never be able to stop.
No matter if your injectable of choice is Botox or Dysport, neither is addictive. If you start and decide to no longer move forward with routine injections, all that will happen is that your face will return to baseline.
- Misconception: The results are permanent.
The results last three to four months at most. Repeat treatments are necessary to maintain the results, which are never permanent.
- Misconception: It will completely erase every line and wrinkle.
Botox and Dysport work only on expression-related lines and wrinkles, not those that result from a lack of volume or a loss of collagen. That’s why some patients benefit from a combination approach: they can treat all of the different types of lines and wrinkles that are present.
Why You Should Choose Botox
None of the injectable wrinkle reducers has the proven track record or scientific data to back it up quite like Botox does. Botox may be a good option if you’ve tried other anti-wrinkle treatments that aren’t quite working.
Botox is ideal for treating dynamic lines and wrinkles on your face without downtime or recovery. The earlier you start with routine injections, the more benefit you’ll see over the long term.
Common Frequently Asked Questions
Typically, Botox and Dysport last about the same time—between three and four months—although some patients can get longer-lasting results. However, Dysport is said to start taking effect faster than Botox, which is why some people feel the results may last a little longer. Since Dysport is also more diffuse and tends to spread out more than Botox, which is more localized, there may be more movement sooner in an entire area. Individual factors like muscle strength, metabolism, and lifestyle (like exercise frequency) can influence how long Botox and Dysport results last. Over time, the body may also build up a tolerance, potentially reducing the duration of effectiveness.
The most common areas of the face to treat with Botox include:
- Frown lines
- Forehead lines
- Bunny lines
- Crow's feet
- The chin
- The area between the eyebrows
- A gummy smile
- Platysma bands of the neck
- To lift the eyebrows
- The upper lip for a lip flip
Finding a good injector is rule number one in ensuring you are happy with your Botox results. You'll want to follow all pre- and post-injection instructions and aftercare. Routine Botox injections will also help keep your results natural and on par, so your face does not return too much to baseline. High-quality products, avoiding unnecessary sun exposure, eating a healthy diet, and keeping your skin hydrated will also help maintain results.
A thorough medical history is crucial to discuss with your provider before Botox. They must know about any medications you're taking, past surgeries, and any allergies you may have since some people are allergic to the components of Botox. This will also help them tailor your treatment and avoid potential complications. Let your injector know about all medications you take, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. You'll also want to be honest about other injectables and fillers you have done and your current skincare routine and lifestyle.
