Last year when I went home for the holidays I had so many friends and family members say “Wow you look GREAT!” Want to know my secret? I got Botox a week before going home for Christmas so it was in full effect! My forehead looked smooth, I looked more relaxed and youthful, and it looked really natural and not frozen. I also had less issues with my makeup getting caked in my wrinkles (the worst). I loved the effects SO much, but then it lasted about 2 months for me and it by 3 months it was completely gone! I was so sad because that stuff is expensive. Recently I’ve been hearing more about Dysport and some people have been saying it lasts longer than Botox. I was curious if that was true and John Stuart was nice enough to write up a guest post all about Botox vs. Dysport.
Most of us are familiar with Botox, the quick injection that irons out fine lines, crows feet and frown lines. It has been on the market for more than two decades and its reputation precedes it. It’s safe, fast, and efficient, a favorite among celebrities and non-celebrities alike.
However, few of us know anything about its rival, Dysport, that has been around for almost 9 years, predominantly on the European market. Dysport, also formerly known as Reloxin, is also an injectable solution that smooths out wrinkles through a process similar to Botox shots. The Botox vs Dysport battle will go over the similarities and dissimilarities of the two, highlighting the advantages of choosing one over the other.
Similarities of Botox and Dysport
- Relax muscle tissue;
- Both are Botulinum Toxin A;
- Prevent muscles from contracting;
- Temporary results;
- Results last between 3-6 months.
Differences between Botox and Dysport
- Dysport is cheaper than Botox;
- Dysport is more diluted (but not less efficient) than Botox;
- Dysport comprises smaller molecules than Botox;
- Dysport kicks in faster (2-5 days) than Botox (4-7 days);
- Botox is more precise than Dysport.
Dysport and Botox are very similar. Both comprise Botulinum type A which relaxes the muscles responsible for crows feet, frown lines and other types of wrinkles. There are more than 3 million Botox procedure being performed yearly in the US. The FDA-approved neurotoxins found both in Dysport and Botox offer temporary results.
Why Do We Get Wrinkles?
Because of repetitive muscle contractions caused by everyday expressions and normal facial gestures, wrinkles and fine lines generally start developing after the age of 30, when the production of collagen in the body decreases significantly.
Certain facial expressions or habits will create certain types of lines on the face. For instance, the wrinkles around the eyes are called “crows feet” and are created by smiling and squinting. Frowning creates a line between the eyebrows, while smoking or frequently drinking through a straw results in fine lines around the corners of the mouth. In the same vein, raising the eyebrows causes forehead lines.
How Do Botox and Dysport Work?
Botox and Dysport do not permanently “erase” or “cure” wrinkles and fine lines. They offer temporary solutions by preventing the muscles from contracting and helping the tissue relax. A Botox or Dysport injection will target a specific muscle area and block the nerve impulse which controls the muscles’ contractions for a limited time. As a result, the relaxed muscles produce less movement. This, in its turn, decreases the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
How Long Do Botox and Dysport Results Last?
Botox and Dysport offer results that last for a limited time. As nerve impulses start reaching the muscle area once again, the muscle starts contracting again, which results in the reappearance of lines. A skilled injector should be able to keep the wrinkle-free appearance with the help of periodic Botox or Dysport injection sessions roughly 3-6 months apart.
Botox and Dysport Side Effects
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