Everyone experiences the visible signs of aging to a different extent. Some may be lucky enough to reach the later stages of their life with nothing more than a few subtle fine lines, while others can end up developing deep and rigid wrinkles.
Either way, those pesky creases can make a person look so much older than they feel, making it no surprise that wrinkle reduction treatments have only grown in popularity over the years. Botox is the obvious classic, but there are other options out there, with Dysport being a strong contender.
Wondering what the main differences are between Botox vs Dysport? And, most importantly, which one lasts longer? Read on as Introlift shares everything you need to know.
An Introduction to Botox and Dysport
There’s no denying that both Botox and Dysport share a number of similarities.
Both are neurotoxins that come from Botulinum toxin. They both offer medical applications but they’re most popular for how they temporarily block muscle contractions. When injected into the face, they relax the underlying muscles. This reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles that have been caused by facial expressions while preventing new creases from forming.
The Main Differences Between Botox vs Dysport
If they’re made from the same ingredient and they do the same thing, then what’s the difference between Botox vs Dysport? What makes one better than the other?
Well, one of the main differences between the two is the amount of Botulinum toxin that’s used in each formula. Botox is more concentrated while Dysport is more diluted. In fact, there’s about a 3:1 difference between them when it comes to concentration.
Dysport also has a much smaller molecular size than Botox. This means that you may need slightly more of the formula, but the fact that it’s better than Botox at easily spreading across a larger surface area usually means that the number of injections required in each treatment session tends to be the same.
However, due to how Dysport is more diluted than Botox, its wrinkle reduction uses are a little more limited. It is FDA-approved for treating glabellar lines. This refers to the lines that form between the eyebrows. On the other hand, Botox is not only approved to treat glabellar lines, but can safely and effectively be used on forehead lines and crow’s feet too.
The two treatments also differ when it comes to how long it takes to see results, along with how long those results last. We’ll talk about that in more detail further on!
Botox vs Dysport: The Procedures
In terms of the actual treatment procedures, there isn’t much difference between Botox vs Dysport. They both take roughly around 20-30 minutes, although this could be slightly longer depending on how many injections you’re having done. However, since you’ll be able to go back to your usual schedule immediately after your treatment, it’s quite common for people to book themselves in for either Botox or Dysport during their lunch break.
Whether you opt for Botox or Dysport, your treatment will start with a consultation. Go with Introlift and our aestheticians will assess the wrinkles on your face to come up with a solid plan.
The injection sites will then be marked off and a topical numbing agent will be applied. Depending on the results that you’re hoping to see, Dysport is sometimes injected deeper into the skin than Botox. However, the numbing solution that we use ensures that both treatments are painless.
Botox vs Dysport: The Results
Now for the part that you’ve been waiting for; the results. To start with, how long does it take to actually see them?
Well, with Botox, it takes about a week, although you may start to notice them a day or two sooner. That said, you’ll need to wait for about a month before the full effects of your Botox injections are visible.
However, with Dysport, you’ll start to notice results after just a couple of days. Some people even start to see a difference in their wrinkles the day after their treatment!
This may initially make Dysport seem like the obvious choice. However, when it comes to how long those results last, Botox wins out. With Botox, you can expect your results to last anywhere between 4-6 months. If you’ve used the treatment on a small area of your face, such as your eyes or your lips, then your skin may hold onto that smoothness for even longer.
On the other hand, Dysport results usually last for about 3-4 months, although the fact that they’re faster to show up in the first place does help to make up for this.
Of course, it’s important to remember that how long the results of each treatment last will be influenced by a number of other factors too:
Other Factors That Affect How Long Your Results Last
The reason why results vary so much between individuals is that there are so many other factors that can affect them.
For example, wrinkle severity. If your wrinkles are extremely deep and rigid, then your results may not last for quite as long as they would for someone with light fine lines.
Your lifestyle will play a big part in your results too. While both Botox and Dysport help to relax the muscles in your face, they don’t completely restrict them. You’ll still be able to make some facial expressions. However, the more you do, the faster your results will wear off. Even if you try to keep your face as neutral as possible, it’s so easy to unintentionally frown when stressed, or squint when tired. Plus, the face also forms various expressions while a person sleeps, which is something that can’t be controlled!
Repeated sun exposure will also be detrimental to your treatment results. This makes it more important than ever to keep your skin protected from the sun and all of the damage that its UV rays can cause.
Finally, let’s not forget that both Botox and Dysport are used as medical treatments for certain conditions. This includes excessive sweating and overactive muscles. If you happen to suffer from any of these conditions, then the results of your cosmetic treatment won’t last for quite as long, simply because the injected neurotoxin will also be working doubletime to counter your medical condition too.
Botox vs Dysport: Follow-Up Treatments
Both Botox and Dysport are temporary treatments. This means that if you’re hoping to maintain your wrinkle-free face, you’ll need to book yourself in for a series of follow-up treatments.
Since Dysport doesn’t last for quite as long as Botox, your follow-up treatments will need to be more frequent. However, since Dysport injections often cost less than Botox, the fact that you’ll need more treatments with Dysport doesn’t automatically mean that Botox is more cost-effective.
Having said that, it’s worth noting that Botox has a compounding effect. This means that, over time, you’ll be able to maintain results with fewer treatments.
Botox vs Dysport: Side Effects
Since both Botox and Dysport come from Botulinum toxin, their side effects are pretty much the same.
This means that severe side effects are rare, although you may experience minor side effects a day or two after your treatment. A small amount of pain at your injection sites is completely normal, as is numbness, swelling, and bruising. These usually resolve on their own after just a few days.
Of course, not everyone is a good candidate for Botox and Dysport. If you’re pregnant, have a skin disorder, or are taking certain medications, neither treatment would be right for you. The same applies to those who have a milk allergy since both treatments may contain minute amounts of cow’s milk protein. This is why an initial consultation with a knowledgeable aesthetician is so important. They will help to determine whether or not you’re a suitable candidate for these treatments.
Can Botox and Dysport Be Used Together?
Does it really have to come down to Botox vs Dysport? Can’t the two treatments be used together?
Well, in most cases, we find that patients are usually better suited to either Botox or Dysport, depending on the results that they’re hoping to see. However, using both injections in the same treatment session is definitely possible too. This is something that our Introlift aestheticians will advise you on if they feel that it would be the best way forward.
Another option would be to alternate which injection you have at your follow-up treatments. Some of our patients prefer to do that since it helps prevent their bodies from building up resistance to one of the formulas.
Botox vs Dysport: Which One Should You Choose?
So, you now know all about the various differences between Botox vs Dysport, including how long the results for each one last. However, if you’re still on the fence about which would be best, here’s a quick summary:
When it comes to the treatments themselves, both Botox and Dysport are basically the same. They take the same amount of time and the process is pretty much identical. Both are also painless procedures due to the numbing agent used beforehand.
However, with Dysport, you’ll see results much sooner. This makes the treatment the better option if you need to urgently get rid of your wrinkles for a special event. Since Dysport is injected deeper into the skin, it’s also usually preferred for deeper wrinkles between the eyebrows and on the forehead. In fact, its large surface area makes it ideal for efficiently covering the full forehead area.
On the other hand, if longevity is what you’re after, then Botox is the way to go. Sure, you may have to wait a little longer at the beginning to see results, but you’ll also be able to enjoy them for longer. Plus, the more follow-up injections you have, the less you’ll need in the future since Botox’s accumulative effect will help your results last for longer over time.
Final Thoughts
The subtle differences between Botox and Dysport can make it difficult to decipher which one to go for. However, that’s why it’s so important to have your treatment done at a reputable medical spa, just like Introlift. Our experienced team will work with you to identify which treatment would be the most effective way of reducing your wrinkles, ensuring that you make the very best decision.
Want to know more about the Botox and Dysport treatments offered by Introlift? Click here to contact us today!