Who wants to look old and wrinkly as they age? No one, that’s who. Everyone wants a magic drug that will immediately get rid of all unwanted wrinkles and frown lines. The closest we are to such magic is with treatments such as Botox and Dysport.
Botox has been around a long time, which is why it has far more recognition than Dysport. In this blog, we are going to compare all the aspects of Botox and Dysport.
Basics of Botox and Dysport
Botox, as well as Dysport, is made from a protein Botulinum Toxin, which is produced from a bacteria Clostridium Botulinum. Both treatments involve injecting the skin with highly purified Botulinum protein which paralyzes the muscles and prevents you from making facial expressions that cause the frown lines and wrinkles.
Botox is injected in small areas such as the space between the eyebrows. It relaxes overactive facial muscles by temporarily reducing the muscle activity in the specific area.
On the other hand, although Dysport is very similar to Botox in terms of its constituents, it is more fluid than Botox. Botox is restricted to the area where the protein, Botulinum Toxin, is injected whereas Dysport is far more fluid. It spreads to other sites after application which allows treatment of several areas at once.
Dysport is especially beneficial for patients who want treatment of multiple areas. It is also different from Botox in terms of facial expressions. Where Botox limits muscle activity and hinders facial activity, Dysport does not affect facial expressions at all.
Injection of medication
Botox has been around longer than Dysport, which is why it has more FDA-approved indications. Still, both treatments only have approvals for treating frown lines between your eyebrows even though both are also used to treat other areas of the body, and can be injected intra-dermally to reduce sweating. This treatment doesn’t work as well because the nitrogenous wastes have to come out from somewhere.
The Amount of Medication Required
Botox is stronger than Dysport, which is why it isn’t needed in a large quantity to get the desired effect. On the other hand, Dysport is a smaller protein that is required in a larger volume. This automatically means that the more it is used, the more the chances are that it will travel to another area. This is good if you’re looking to treat a more substantial area but not if the area is small.
What do the procedures involve?
Let’s say the area between your eyebrows is being treated. In Dysport, the protein Botulinum Toxin is injected into five points located between and above the eyebrow. The injection time is not more than a few minutes, and the pain felt is minimal and very brief.
Similarly, in Botox, the medication is injected into the same area and lasts only a few minutes, with the pain being brief and very minute.
Recovery time and what to expect?
Both Botox and Dysport involve the same recovery procedures. A little tenderness and a few red bumps may emerge, but no bandages are required, and the effects subside after 15 minutes. However, the patients are advised to take precautionary measures and are discouraged from pressing or rubbing the area that has been treated.
How long will the treatments last?
Botox lasts 3 to 6 months whereas Dysport lasts about 4 months after which you will need touch-ups.
Cost of Botox and Dysport
Botox is significantly more expensive than Dysport, but this is also because Botox lasts longer than Dysport.
When will the treatments start to work?
Botox generally takes 4 to 7 days for the effect to kick in whereas Dysport takes effect in 2 to 5 days.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Each type of treatment has its advantages and disadvantages.
Botox is applied to a small area and limits the muscle activity there to relax them. However, by no means are your muscles paralyzed, and you can show as many emotions as you want. However, your facial expressions activity also depends on the number of Botox treatments you undergo. The more treatments you get, the more your facial expressions get limited. Botox has fewer side-effects and risks, but it is expensive and only lasts up to 6 months after which you will need another round of treatment.
If you want to find out which treatment is right for you and additional information then contact Louisville Laser Med Spa at (502) 499-6608.