Dysport vs. Botox: What Are Their Differences?

As we grow old, we start noticing fine lines and wrinkles as we lose the elasticity in our skin. It becomes saggier and develops these lines as we make facial expressions. The popular solution for these problems is botulinum toxin injections, which experts also use to treat other medical conditions. If we choose a type of cosmetic injectable, we will prefer the best one. However, botulinum toxin has two known brands: Botox and Dysport.

So how are Botox and Dysport different, and which is the better option? These two do not have the same nontoxic proteins, which means they also have slight differences in effectivity, use, results, cost, side effects, and more. A unit of Dysport isn’t the same as a unit of Botox. The better option depends on your preference and what your plastic surgeon thinks is the best for you.

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Differences Between Dysport and Botox

Dysport and Botox are both brands of a substance called botulinum toxin A. They might have a similar active ingredient, but they have a major difference because of manufacturing. Botox is a brand for a type of botulinum toxin A called onabotulinumtoxinA (ONA) and was first approved in 2002 for cosmetic treatment. 

On the other hand, Dysport is a brand with abobotulinumtoxinA (ABO) as its formula. This formula has fewer protein buffers and smaller particles. FDA also approved Dysport as a cosmetic injection in 2009. Here are its particular differences:

1) Effectiveness

Most of the differences between Botox and Dysport boil down to its distinguishable chemistry–Dysport has smaller molecules than Botox. This composition makes Dysport spread faster than Botox, but it does not mean one is better than the other. The best brand will still depend on what you use botulinum toxin for.

Because it spreads faster, Dysport offers a more effective treatment for larger areas than Botox. Only a few Dysport injections can cover a wider area. However, it may not be your best option for treating targeted areas.

Botox does not spread easily from the injection site, making it the ideal option for smaller areas, like around the eyes and lips. That also makes it more versatile for addressing other procedures.

2) Use

Botox has more FDA-approved uses than Dysport. For cosmetic purposes, Dysport is ideal for treating glabellar lines only. Botox may also be used for reducing crow’s feet and forehead lines, apart from your 11s.

Dysport may help treat medical conditions such as spasticity in adolescents, children, and adults. It can also ease the effects of cervical dystonia. FDA has approved Botox to help treat the said conditions as well. Doctors also use Botox for bladder dysfunction related to a neurological condition, chronic migraine, primary axillary hyperhidrosis, and blepharospasm and strabismus.

3) Dose

Dysport and Botox have different doses and aren’t interchangeable. Their units are not equivalent to one another. Most studies claim that the ratio of Dysport to Botox is at 2.5:1–25 Dysport units is equal to 10 Botox units.

The reconstitution process of both products is an important factor in determining the accurate dose for you. Seek a board-certified plastic surgeon to ensure you are getting the correct units.

Botox multi-use vials contain 100 or 200 ONA units, while single-use vials contain 50 or 100 units. The cumulative dose you will receive for Botox shots in a 3-month interval should not go over 360 units. Botox vials usually come in seemingly-empty little jars because the crystallized ONA should first be reconstituted with 0.9% sterile saline. Dysport vials are also reconstituted with sterile saline. Each vial will give you 300 or 500 ABO units.

4) Results

You may notice the results quicker with Dysport than with Botox. The effects from your Dysport injections may be noticeable after a few days, while it can take about a week with Botox injections. Your Botox may even take a month sometimes for you to feel the results. The results of your botulinum toxin may last for about 3-4 months.

5) Cost

Dysport costs $4 per unit, while Botox is $12. Dysport may seem cheaper at first, but you may need more units every session than Botox because of their differences in composition. A session of Dysport can cost about $450, while Botox sessions cost approximately $550.

These rates will still vary depending on the units your plastic surgeon will recommend. The cost of Dysport and Botox also change per location. You should look up aesthetic clinics in your area and compare their prices.

6) Side Effects

Dysport is a safe treatment with only minor side effects. These side effects will resolve on their own in just a few days:

• minor pain at the injection site
• swelling of the eyelids
• headache
• irritation and rash

Serious side effects from Dysport include sinusitis, nausea, and infection of the upper respiratory tract. If you experience these side effects or the symptoms above wouldn’t resolve after a few days, talk to your doctor immediately.

Botox is also a safe procedure with common side effects. These side effects are normal and shall also heal after in a week:

• swelling
• redness
• bruising
• numbness
• slight pain
• headache

Botox may not be the best procedure for you if you suffer from skin conditions.

Both Dysport and Botox have rare risks of botulism–an illness that causes muscle paralysis and difficulty in breathing and may even lead to death as botulinum toxins attack your nerves. Between the two, Botox has a higher risk of botulinum toxicity.

Similarities Between Dysport and Botox

Dysport and Botox are both botulinum toxins. They can temporarily paralyze the muscles, making them ideal for reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Dysport and Botox cosmetic treatments can smoothen even moderate to severe wrinkles. They can also block muscle contraction in the body and treat muscle spasms and other neuromuscular disorders.

Dysport and Botox are also both non-surgical and minimally invasive. They require little to no downtime, so patients with a hectic lifestyle prefer them. The procedures are also quick and may even take only a few minutes for an experienced injector.

	Dysport	Botox
Property	Smaller molecules, more diluted	More potent
Procedure	Nonsurgical, minimally invasive, little to no downtime	Nonsurgical, minimally invasive, little to no downtime
Effectivity	Spreads easily–ideal for larger areas	Does not spread easily–ideal for precise locations
Cosmetic Use	Glabellar lines, horizontal forehead lines, frown lines	Glabellar lines, horizontal forehead lines, crow’s feet, lip lines, droopy eyelids, frown lines
Medical Use	spasticity, cervical dystonia	spasticity, cervical dystonia, bladder dysfunction, chronic migraine, primary axillary hyperhidrosis, blepharospasm, strabismus, etc
Safety	FDA-approved	FDA-approved
Dose	300 or 500 units per vial	Single-use vials: 50 or 100 units Multi-use vials: 100 or 200 units
Results	May become noticeable in a few days	May become noticeable in a week to a month
Cost	$4 per unit, may cost $450 per session	$12 per unit, may cost $550 per unit
Side-Effects	– minor pain at the injection site – swelling of the eyelids – headache – irritation and rash	– swelling – redness – bruising – numbness – slight pain – headache

The Better Option for Anti-Ageing

Dysport and Botox have major to slight differences that you mustn’t mix up. They also have differences in smoothing out facial wrinkles. The best brand to choose lies in the one that can help you achieve your aesthetic goals better:

1) Eye Wrinkles

The culprits for the wrinkles around your eyes are your 11s or the vertical lines between your brows and the crow’s feet. Dysport may be your best candidate to beat the 11 lines, while Botox might be the better choice for crow’s feet. The structure of Botox is a better fit for the crow’s feet because it has little chance of spreading.

2) Lip Lines

Your vertical lip lines may need a more precise action. Botox is the best choice for your smoker’s lines.

3) Forehead Lines

These are deep horizontal facial lines that run across your forehead. Dysport may be the better option for smoothening these dynamic lines. Dysport spreads easily, making it suitable for larger areas like your forehead.

Seek the Best Anti-Ageing Treatments at aNu Aesthetics

Both Dysport and Botox may do wonders to restore your youthful appearance if used right. There may be slight differences between the two, but the key is to know the brand to use.

Seek the services of board-certified plastic surgeons like here at aNu Aesthetics. We deliver the cosmetic goals of our valued clients with the utmost care and expertise. Know more about Botox and Dysport and see which is better for you by booking a consultation with us.

Say Goodbye To Your Wrinkles and Fine Lines

With just a few simple injections, our providers can erase your wrinkles and fine lines in no time with Botox. Call us today to book your appointment.

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