Botox or Dysport? How to Choose Which is Right for You
Looking for a dramatic boost to your appearance? Want to erase years of worry and stress from your face? Thanks to a variety of medical advances, achieving a more youthful appearance is now easier and more cost-effective than ever. There are several FDA-approved treatments for reducing facial wrinkles and smoothing skin. So how do you choose which is right for you? Let’s take a closer look at two of the most popular treatments on the market today, Botox and Dysport, and then talk about how to decide which one is best for your needs.
Botox: A Safe and Effective Wrinkle Reducer
Botox is an FDA-approved prescription medication that is designed to improve the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles, particularly the lines between the eyebrows, the lines on the forehead, and lines near the eyes, also known as crow’s feet. Botox is a minimally invasive procedure that takes about ten minutes to complete. Botox injections work by relaxing facial muscles so that they cannot contract; this makes the skin look smoother and gives a more youthful appearance. Botox patients typically report only mild or no discomfort during or after the procedures, and treatments do not require a long recovery period. Botox users typically see results within a few days of receiving the treatment, and one treatment is expected to last between 3-5 months, although individual results may vary.
Dysport: Smooth Facial Wrinkles in Minutes
While not as well-known in the United States as Botox, Dysport is an injectible facial wrinkle treatment that has been used in Europe, Asia, and South America for over a decade. Like Botox, Dysport is an FDA-approved prescription medication extracted from the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. Dysport works by smoothing facial muscles and relaxing away facial wrinkles and frown lines. Patients receiving Dysport treatment typically report mild side effects like temporary soreness or bruising near the injection site, although many patients have no side effects whatsoever. Like Botox, Dysport patients require minimal recovery time, and the treatment procedure is complete in 15 minutes or less. Dysport is similar to Botox in that users typically see a difference within days of receiving treatment, and treatments normally last for three to five months.
Clinical Data About the Difference Between Botox and Dysport
Physicians at the Center for Laser Surgery participated in the FDA Stage III Clinical Trials for Dysport at the Washington, DC location. Additionally, the firm sponsored and fully funded a 24-patient double-blind comparative study of Dysport and Botox in the treatment of forehead lines. Study results show that that Dysport acted more quickly and lasted longer than Botox when used in a 3:1 unit ratio to Botox.
How to Choose Between Botox and Dysport
Both Botox and Dysport offer safe, effective ways to smooth facial wrinkles and improve the appearance of crow’s feet and frown lines. And while studies show that Dysport may act more quickly and last longer than Botox, this should not be the main consideration when choosing between the two. For patients considering between Botox and Dysport, the deciding factor should be how experienced the medical professional is who is delivering the treatment. Done incorrectly, both Botox and Dysport can lead to less-than-desirable results (like a ‘frozen face’ that shows no emotion, or a condition known as ‘ptosis’, where the eyelid droops due to improper injection.) Inexperienced practitioners are the number one cause of patient dissatisfaction with Botox or Dysport treatments, so ensure that you are selecting a facility that has experience with the treatment you choose.
The Bottom Line on Botox and Dysport
Both Botox and Dysport offer affordable, minimally invasive ways to enhance your beauty and regain your youthful appearance, and both treatments take just moments to achieve results that last four months or more. While Dysport has been shown to take effect more quickly and last somewhat longer than Botox, this extra bit of time should not be a patient’s number one decision-making criteria. The most important thing for patients to do when choosing Botox or Dysport is to find an experienced practitioner.
— Christine Krebs is the Patient Coordinator at the Center for Laser Surgery, a full-service cosmetic and laser surgery center serving the Washington, D.C. area. Founded by Dr. Robert M. Adrian, renowned laser surgeon and dermatologist, the Center for Laser Surgery offers Botox and Dysport treatments.
