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What Are the Differences Between Botox and Dysport?

Deep creases. Fine lines. Crow’s feet, marionette lines, and glabellar lines. When it comes to wrinkle reduction, you might be pondering which injectable to get. Dysport and Botox are the market leaders. But which brand is right for you, and how do each of them work? Let’s dive into these popular injectables below.

Botox, a Household Name

Botox works by paralyzing the muscles around the affected area. When we make myriad facial expressions all day long, these tiny muscles contract, folding the skin. Over time and with much repetition, the folds become creases and deep wrinkles that remain even after we stop making the facial expression. When Botox is used, it stops the nerve impulses responsible for muscle contraction, which eventually smoothes out the skin.

Botox is primarily used on the forehead, glabellar lines between the eyebrows, nasolabial folds around the mouth and nose, or the sides of the eyes. Injecting Botox takes very little time – in fact, many people receive their treatment on their lunch break. It also requires no downtime, although rigorous activity like exercise or wearing hats and helmets should be avoided for the remainder of the day after receiving Botox. Results are typically seen within seven to ten days post-treatment.

A Botox injection contains the active ingredient Clostridium botulinum bacterium, which is a purified protein. It’s also a toxin, so when administered by a professional, it is used in very small doses – between 50 and 100 units per vial. Most practitioners inject somewhere between 10 to 30 units into the forehead, with 20-24 being average. It’s worth noting that Botox injections are a time and financial investment. You’ll typically need to come back to refresh your injections every three to six months.

Dysport, an Up-and-Comer

Just like Botox, Dysport uses the active ingredient derived from the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. Dysport is also highly effective for wrinkle reduction. This injectable is an FDA-approved method of treating moderate to severe glabellar lines between the brows. However, Dysport is more diluted and can therefore cover more surface area. It’s often used across the forehead for this reason. About 60 units of Dysport is a normal dosage. As with Botox, Dysport doesn’t last forever. Most people will need fresh injections every three to six months.

Side Effects

The most common side effects are mild headache and, very occasionally, light bruising, swelling, or the appearance of a small bump at the site of the injection. These all dissipate within a day or two. Since these injectables are technically toxins, they do carry a very slight risk of droopy eyelids, a crooked smile, or cockeyed eyebrows. Fortunately, counter-injections exist to remedy these issues within a couple of days.

You should not receive Botox if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a neurological disease like myasthenia gravis.

Contact Vanguard Dermatology

If you’re located in the greater New York City area and want to find out if you’re a candidate for Botox or Dysport, contact Vanguard Dermatology today for an appointment with one of our board-certified specialists.

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