Beauty is serious business! It’s important to choose effective aesthetic treatments that’ll give you the effects you’re after, which is why you’re probably here today, looking for information about the differences between Botox and Dysport. 

Botox and Dysport are the two leading materials for anti-wrinkle injections. They work in a similar way, to reduce deep wrinkles caused by repetitive facial movements. If you have forehead wrinkles or crow’s feet, they’re the signature choice! In this post, we’ll explain their differences and similarities, so you can make more educated decisions about your beauty treatments. 

 

What is Botox?

Botox is the gold-standard neuromodulator for anti-wrinkle injections. It was the first product of its kind introduced for cosmetic use in the United States, and it’s FDA-approved as safe and effective for both medical and cosmetic uses. 

It works by blocking the nerve signal that causes muscles to contract, which inhibits muscle movement. Because of this, it softens and reduces the depth of some of the hardest-to-treat wrinkles, especially in the forehead, between the brows, and around the eyes. 

Botox is also called onabotulinumtoxinA since it’s made from botulinum bacteria. The way it’s prepared for injection significantly dilutes it, so while it may sound a little scary, it’s totally safe. 

 

What is Dysport?

Like Botox, Dysport is also a neuromodulator made from the botulinum bacteria. The process for making Dysport is a little different, so the result is a molecule with a different structure. Its chemical name is abobotulinumtoxinA.

As an anti-wrinkle injection, Dysport has the same underlying mechanism of action. It prevents muscles from tightening up, which significantly reduces wrinkles in the upper half of the face.

Treatment Similarities

Both are able to erase wrinkles by stopping muscle contractions, which is why they’ve become so popular in clinics and medspas all over the world. 

For you as a customer undergoing Botox or Dysport, the two treatments will feel the same and you will likely not notice a significant difference between the results.

 

Treatment Differences

The formulas for Botox and Dysport are slightly different, largely because of how the botulinum bacteria is processed and diluted. Dysport has a slightly higher level of potency, although as part of the injection process, medical providers usually dilute it to achieve a more controlled dose.

In cosmetic use, some patients find that Dysport results kick in a little faster and that they are a little more intense or long-lasting, especially in very strong muscles. However, this can be very different from person to person. 

Another major difference between the two products is how long they’ve been around, and what kind of uses they’re approved for. 

Botox has been around since the 1980s when it was first approved for medical use. As a cosmetic treatment, it’s been FDA-approved since 2002. It’s recommended for a very broad range of conditions, including wrinkles in the forehead, between the brows, and around the eyes. 

Dysport is a younger product. It’s been around since the 1990s, but it only received FDA approval as a cosmetic treatment in 2009. While Dysport is often used off-label in the same way as Botox, it’s actually only approved for treating the wrinkles between the brows. 

 

Who’s a Good Candidate for Dysport and Botox?

Both Dysport and Botox injections have the same contraindications. In the context of cosmetic use, this means they’re safe for adults who are 18 or over and not currently pregnant or breastfeeding. Plus, it’s also important you actually have the kinds of wrinkles that Botox and Dysport can address. 

Ultimately, they’re much more similar than they are different. If you’re a good candidate for one, you’re also a good candidate for the other. In general, if you’re interested in small treatments like crow’s feet or lip lines, we think Botox is often the more delicate option. 

There are a few clients who find they don’t get the results they want from either Botox or Dysport, which is why it’s great to have both options. Also, if you have been getting Botox for a significant amount of time, it may be beneficial to switch to Dysport for one or two treatments so that you don’t develop resistance. 

Treat Your Wrinkles 

Ultimately, whether using Botox or Dysport, the real magic comes from the hands of your injector, and how familiar they are with the product and facial anatomy. 

At SEV, our nurses are specialists with incredibly robust aesthetic training and experience. They know exactly how to inject and how much to create wrinkle-free yet natural-looking results! If you have a few wrinkles or fine lines you’d like to kiss goodbye, go ahead and book your Botox appointment at SEV.