This Article Has Been Medically Approved By Dr. Timothy Connall
Patients looking to prevent and treat fine lines and wrinkles have plenty of options. Neuromodulators like BOTOX® and Dysport® are among the most popular, serving to cease the muscle movements that form grooves in your skin.
While BOTOX and Dysport both use clostridium botulinum toxin as their active ingredient, each of these neuromodulator products is slightly different.
How Do BOTOX and Dysport Work?
BOTOX and Dysport use botulinum toxin type A. This molecule blocks nerve signals from communicating with muscles, keeping the muscles from contracting. When the muscles don’t contract, lines and wrinkles caused by facial expressions no longer occur, and new lines can’t form.
How Do BOTOX and Dysport Differ?
BOTOX and Dysport contain essentially the same toxin, the difference being a slight difference in the molecular structure of the chemical. Because of the slight difference in the molecular structure and differences in how each company measures the “units” of the molecule in their solution, the number of units needed to treat an area differs between the brands.
Concentration
Because of the difference in calculating the unit amounts of toxin in BOTOX and Dysport, the brands behave slightly differently when injected, and some areas can be better suited for one product compared to the other. However, the cost of treating the same area with either BOTOX or Dysport is typically very similar.
Dysport’s concentration and molecular structure allow it to spread faster, covering a larger surface area than BOTOX. Your doctor may choose Dysport for larger areas, like the forehead, and BOTOX for more precise locations, like crow’s feet.
Results
While the two injectables offer the same contraction-ceasing results, they work on a different timespan.
Since BOTOX spreads slowly, results from a BOTOX treatment often require longer to take effect. Patients typically start seeing their BOTOX results seven to ten days after their treatment, while Dysport’s effects may appear in as little as three to four days.
Can You Use Both Dysport and BOTOX?
Patients can easily switch between Dysport and BOTOX treatments or use both simultaneously. In addition, some patients may see a decline in the effectiveness of one brand compared to the other over time. In such cases, improved efficacy can be seen by switching to another brand of neuromodulator.
Trust the Experienced Team at Esprit Cosmetic Surgeons
Achieving the best results from your injectable treatments requires working with specialists knowledgeable about the nuances of the different products and how to use them. Dr. Connall is experience in using these toxins and has the knowledge and skill to give you excellent results. If you’re in Portland, OR, schedule a consultation with Esprit Cosmetic Surgeons to determine whether BOTOX or Dysport is right for you.
