Botox and Dysport use the same active ingredient to treat and delay the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. However, the solutions have slightly different structures, so they are each suitable for specific areas.
At The Skin Retreat in Little Rock, AR, we know how important it is to understand the nuances of cosmetic injectables, including the benefits of Dysport vs. Botox.
What Is Botox?
Botox is the brand name for the first aesthetic injectable that uses botulinum toxin type A as its active ingredient. Functioning as a neuromodulator, Botox blocks nerve signals. Because these nerve signals never reach the muscles, the muscles stop moving.
Botox injections are FDA-approved to treat many types of wrinkles, including glabellar lines, which are the vertical lines that appear between the eyebrows. These injections also treat horizontal forehead lines and crow’s feet.
In addition, Botox has several medical uses, such as treating chronic migraines, hyperhidrosis, and overactive bladders.
What Is Dysport?
Dysport also uses botulinum toxin type A as a neuromodulator to prevent communication between neurons and muscles. With the same active ingredient as Botox, Dysport also prevents new wrinkles from forming while smoothing existing lines.
Initially, Dysport was only available in Europe. However, once the FDA approved Dysport, it became another leading neuromodulator. Like Botox, Dysport was first approved for medical use, treating conditions like restless leg syndrome.
How Are Botox and Dysport the Same?
As neuromodulators, both Botox and Dysport treat wrinkles by stopping muscle movement. When your brow furrows in concentration or your eyes crinkle when you smile, lines appear on your face. Over time, these lines begin to form grooves in the muscles underneath the skin.
When you are younger, these lines are known as dynamic wrinkles — your skin becomes smooth again as the facial expression passes. But as you age, the grooves in the muscles, loss of subcutaneous fat, and thinning of the skin cause the lines in your face to remain regardless of your expression, making them static wrinkles.
Botox and Dysport stop targeted muscle movements to keep dynamic lines and wrinkles from becoming static, smoothing their appearance and preventing new lines from forming.
Since both treatments use the same active ingredient, they function similarly.
Dysport vs. Botox: How They Differ
Most patients who choose Dysport or Botox injections achieve similar results, as both treatments soften current lines and prevent new lines from forming or deepening. However, the two treatments have some critical differences that may help you decide which injectable is best for your needs.
Distinct Formulas
Although both Botox and Dysport have the same active ingredient, the two treatments have different formulations. Dysport contains more proteins than Botox, giving it a slightly lower molecular weight than its competitor.
Differing Potency
Botox’s formulation is more potent than Dysport’s. One unit of Botox contains almost three times the potency of a single unit of Dysport. However, a vial of Dysport is less expensive than a vial of Botox.
Patients typically spend the same amount for Dysport and Botox treatments, as we use more Dysport units to achieve the effects obtained from a single Botox unit.
Unique Diffuson
Dysport’s lower molecular weight diffuses in the skin differently than Botox. As a result, Dysport injections spread through the skin faster, covering a larger surface area. We often choose Dysport for larger treatment areas due to this diffusion effect.
Faster Results
After Botox injections, patients can expect early treatment results to appear within three to five days. In contrast, Dysport injections have a faster onset of two to three days. However, regardless of the neuromodulator you choose, full results can take up to two weeks to appear.
Longevity
The length of time between treatments depends on several factors beyond the formulation of your neuromodulator. For example, younger patients who exercise frequently or have fast metabolisms might need more frequent treatments to maintain their results.
Dysport results typically last three to four months before another treatment is necessary. Botox injections often last four months, although patients treating smaller areas may find their effects last up to six months.
Dysport vs. Botox: Best Treatment Areas
Choosing the best injectable for specific treatment areas requires the input of a skilled provider. After administering hundreds, if not thousands, of neuromodulator treatments, we understand how each product reacts when applied to a targeted area.
While each patient’s needs vary, there are general guidelines for where each product works best.
Forehead and Glabellar Lines
Botox is approved for horizontal forehead lines, while we often prefer Dysport for glabellar lines. Due to the way Dysport spreads, these injections can smooth wrinkles in larger areas while requiring fewer injections for a more comfortable treatment experience.
Crow’s Feet
Smoothing fine lines around the eyes, like crow’s feet, requires more precise injections. Botox’s higher concentration and slower movement make it an ideal solution for these defined lines around the eyes.
Who Is a Candidate for Botox and Dysport?
Most patients who choose Botox or Dysport injections are between 35 and 65. However, many younger patients are choosing neuromodulators to prevent wrinkles from appearing. Almost anyone who wants to smooth or delay the formation of wrinkles is a good candidate for Botox and Dysport.
Dysport vs. Botox: Which Option Is Best for You?
Choosing the best option for your aging skin requires the input of a knowledgeable injector. The Skin Retreat in Little Rock, AR, has the expertise needed to guide you to the best treatment for optimal results.
Schedule your appointment today and discover the benefits of smoother, younger-looking skin.
