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What is Dysport and what is Botox’s real name?

Dysport and Botox are both very popular injectable cosmetic treatments which work to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, including stubborn forehead lines and crow’s feet. These treatments can knock years off the age of your face if you are not seeing any benefit from your fancy skincare products.

The real name for the active ingredient of both injectables is Botulinum toxin type A, which is produced by the bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. This is a neurotoxin, which when injected into target muscles, stops the transmission of nerve signals, preventing muscle contraction. This results in softening of your facial fine lines and wrinkles. Another popular injectable which contains Botulinum toxin type A is Xeomin. Many patients search for information on ‘Xeomin vs Botox’ or ‘Dysport vs Botox’, but really there is little difference between all three treatments.

One thing to remember is that, due to their mode of action, these treatments will only work on wrinkles that are caused by dynamic movement of the face. This means that wrinkles caused by gravity or sun damage will not respond to either Botox or Dysport injections.

Dysport and Botox are both injectable neuromodulators, but what are the key differences between Dysport vs Botox? Top doctors from Boston’s best MedSpa explain the differences between these two popular cosmetic treatments.

 Dysport vs Botox: the key differences

Both Botox and Dysport are safe and well tolerated wrinkle reducing treatments and both have quick recovery times. Botox and Dysport both work in a similar way and provide effective results. Injections of both will need to be repeated regularly in order to maintain your amazing results.

Botox and Dysport actually contain two different forms of Botulinum toxin Type A. Botox is the brand name for a formulation consisting of onabotulinumtoxinA (ONA), while Dysport is the brand name for a formulation consisting of abobotulinumtoxinA (ABO).

Despite having the same active ingredient, Botox and Dysport have some key differences, but what are these?

  • They both have different potencies due to the non toxin proteins that they contain. These proteins may also cause differences in the duration and onset of their effects
  • Most studies report a 2:5:1 ratio. This means that the effects of 25 units of Dysport are roughly equivalent to 10 units of Botox.
  • There is also some evidence that Dysport starts working more quickly, is longer lasting and less painful than Botox
  • Dysport is known to diffuse more – this can have its advantages in some areas of the face and means that it is more suitable for treating larger areas

How long does it take for Botox and Dysport to work?

When comparing the time it takes to see visible results from Botox and Dysport, it is clear that Dysport injections reach full potency more quickly. On average, it takes around 24 to 48 hours to see your target results after Dysport, compared to 72 hours or even up to a full week with Botox.

 What treatment lasts longer than Botox?

There is currently much debate surrounding whether Botox results or Dysport results last longer. Some patients report longer-lasting effects after their Dysport injections, whereas others swear that their Botox treatments last longer. Even evidence from research studies is confusing and should be interpreted with caution, as many of the trials that have been published have been sponsored by Dysport’s manufacturer!

 Typically your results after Botox or Dysport treatments will last for between 3 and 6 months, although this will depend on a number of factors, including your metabolism and the severity of your wrinkles to start with.

 Is Dysport as good as Botox?

As with all cosmetic treatments, everybody will have their own favourite that works well for them and provides them with the results that they desire. The best treatment option for you will depend upon what you are hoping to achieve. This is best discussed in detail with your doctor at an initial consultation appointment. During this appointment, your doctor can find out more about your medical history and what your goals are, using this information they will formulate a personalised treatment plan just for you!

More units of Dysport are required to get comparable results with Botox. However, as long as the treatment dose is right, then the results achieved from both treatments are similar.

 Most medical professionals will say that Botox and Dysport are just as effective as each other at reducing the appearance of wrinkles. What is most important is the injection technique used rather than the choice of injectable. This means that carefully choosing a highly qualified and experienced doctor to perform your treatment is essential.

 Does Dysport hurt?

Just like Botox, Dysport injections are not particularly painful. Discomfort will vary depending upon the location of your injections and your individual pain threshold. If needed, your doctor may be able to numb the areas to be injected with a local anaesthetic cream prior to your treatment, as they can with Botox injection sites.

 How much does Dysport cost compared to Botox?

If you are trying to decide whether Dysport or Botox injections are the best option for you, then the cost of each treatment will of course be a consideration.

On paper, Dysport is about one third of the price of Botox. Lots of patients see these prices and figure that Dysport is the cheaper option for them. However, this isn’t exactly true! You see, this is because these prices are per unit of treatment, as more units of Dysport are required to achieve the same results as Botox then the difference in cost between the two treatments is negligible.

 Finding cheap Dysport and Botox near me

When considering cosmetic treatment, it is best to focus on who will be performing your injections rather than price. The best results will be achieved by choosing a reputable and highly experienced doctor or plastic surgeon. Looking through Dysport before and after pictures will give you an idea of the results that you can expect to achieve. Once you have chosen a suitable doctor, you can discuss costing with them to ensure you know exactly how much you can expect to pay for your individual treatment.

If you are looking for a highly qualified, board certified doctor who is experienced at administering Botox and Dysport in the Boston Metro and Natick area, then look no further! Dr Eric Cappiello and Dr Mariam Cappiello, based at Evolution MedSpa Boston, can help you to achieve your goals. Give their office a call today, or alternatively book an initial consultation online and discover which of these treatments is best for you.