When it comes to treating facial wrinkles, two of the most popular injectables are Botox and Dysport. Both brands are made of similar forms of botulinum toxin, and in most cases, they can be used to treat the same cosmetic conditions. But what are the differences between these two injectables?Dysport is mainly used to correct glabellar lines, the expression lines between the eyebrows. It is an excellent choice for those with moderate to severe expression lines.
Botox, on the other hand, can be used to treat many different types of wrinkles, including crow's feet, forehead wrinkles, and laugh lines. The biggest difference is the concentration level of each product. Dysport is more diluted than Botox, with a split of almost 3 to 1.Depending on the location of the injection, your doctor may need more product to fill one area than another. Of course, it's easy to believe then that Dysport will be much more expensive than Botox, but this is not the case.
The unit price is significantly cheaper than Botox. Since the number of units will be higher than Botox, the price per treatment is approximately the same. Botox was the first botulinum neuromodulator type A approved by the FDA, which came on the market in 1989, before approval for cosmetic use in 2002. Botox is a safe and effective treatment that can last up to 4 months, although it may possibly last 6 months, depending on the location of the injectable. Botox has a constant molecular weight of 900 kilodaltons, while Dysport has more variability in the sizes of proteins used to deliver its active ingredient. Dysport tends to spread easily over a large surface area after injection, which means fewer injections are needed to achieve the desired results. The difference in concentration usually occurs because Dysport uses smaller protein molecules to induce muscle relaxation. The “11” that appears between the eyebrows can be best treated with Botox.
For bags or wrinkles under the eyes, Botox can be a good alternative to more invasive plastic surgery. Botox and Dysport fall under neuromodulators and each has advantages to keep wrinkles at bay for months at a time. Personally, I prefer to use Botox for most of my patients, but each neurotoxin has subtle differences that may be more or less attractive to some. In the Botox vs Dysport debate, you'll find that it's really difficult to compare the two injectables. Botox goes beyond the skin, as it is also approved by the FDA to treat more than just aesthetics. The dermatologist will err out of caution and make sure to complete Botox or Disport treatments first.
Sometimes, Dysport can spread more, which may be better for forehead lines, but it doesn't need to spread to specific areas such as crow's feet or upper lips. In conclusion, both Botox and Dysport are injectable medications used to treat facial wrinkles and other conditions. They have the same active ingredient, safety profiles and working mechanism. However, there are some subtle differences between them that may make one more suitable for certain areas than another.
