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
Botox and Dysport have similar potential side effects. Patients can experience muscle weakness in the area that was injected or around it as well as bleeding, redness, bruising, swelling or pain. Some patients also experience drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, neck pain and muscle stiffness.
More serious side effects can appear weeks after the session. These include drooping eyelids, vision problems, unusual muscle weakness in an area that was not targeted, trouble swallowing or breathing.
Costs
Dysport costs roughly one third the cost of its rival, Botox. Still, it’s important to bear in mind that the potency of the two injectable solutions is very different. One unit of Dysport is not the same thing as one unit of Botox. Since Dysport is approximately 1/3 the strength of Botox, you will basically end up paying approximately the same for both of them.
Botox vs Dysport Studies
There is little to no scientific proof to show the superiority of one of the injectable solutions over the other. Most reviews are personal accounts that can’t support the claim in an objective manner.
Medicis Aesthetics, the parent company of Dysport, funded a study in 2011 that aimed to pinpoint and explore the cosmetic dissimilarities between Dysport and Botox. In the experiment, the subjects received Dysport treatment on one side of their face and Botox treatment on the other side.
The experiment followed the evolution of the injections over the course of 30 days and registered fewer wrinkles and lines on the side with the Dysport treatment. The only issue with the study is that the researchers didn’t use a correct conversion ratio for the 2 solutions. As a result, they could have used less Botox than Dysport in order to obtain favorable results.
Botox vs Dysport Verdict
There is no sufficient data to prove that either of the injectable solutions is superior or better than the other one. Both Botox and Dysport have glowing customer reviews who are pleased with the results and who undergo periodic treatments to maintain a wrinkle-free visage.
As a consequence, it all boils down to the injection technique. Both Botox and Dysport treatments can have side effects and unpleasant results when administered by unexperienced dermatologists. When trying to decide whether to choose Botox or Dysport, a seasoned cosmetologist should guide you to make the right decision for your specific needs and concerns.
Thank you again to John Stuart for this super informative guest blog post! If you’re interested in writing a guest post for Blushing in Hollywood please check out my instructions for guest blog submissions here.
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What do you think? Would you get Botox or Dysport? Have you had both? Which do you like better? Comment below!
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