Botox vs. Dysport: What’s the Difference?

If we ask you to name the most popular cosmetic treatment for skin rejuvenation, what is the first thing that pops up in your mind? Based on our experience, most people will name a Botox injection, which is not surprising as this product has shown its effectiveness and proven its safety with years of successful procedures and millions of satisfied customers. But did you know that Botox is not the only brand that uses botulinum toxins in its composition? To this day, topics such as “Botox vs. Xeomin” or “Botox vs. Dysport” are actively discussed among specialists and patients, and today we would like to discuss it in more detail.

Dysport and Botox are both botulinum toxin-based injectables used in therapeutic and cosmetic cases for individuals who want to deal with muscle spasm-related issues. What are their main similarities and dissimilarities? Is Botox safe as much as other treatment options? Which one is a better choice? Everything and even more can be found in this article!

Let’s Begin: Botulinum Toxin Injections Primary Information

Before we discuss the main similar and different features of Botox and Dysport, let’s first learn more about each botulinum toxin injection individually. Understanding the main working principle and characteristics can make it easier to see the most crucial differences between them. Let’s start!

Botox

Botox is a famous product created by the Allergan company, which is a pharmaceutical corporation well-known in the world. Its main active component is botulinum toxin type A derived from bacterium Clostridium Botulinum.

The main reason for Botox’s popularity is mainly its safety. If compared to other products for skin rejuvenation, you will see that botulinum toxins cause fewer side effects than other methods widely used in the beauty sphere. Moreover, it can be used for numerous cosmetic and therapeutic purposes, for example:

• Repeated injections into the facial muscles will effectively prevent skin aging and eliminate already existing minor skin imperfections, such as crow’s feet, smile lines, and others;
• For therapeutical purposes, after Botox is injected, muscles relax noticeably, which solves plenty of issues related to muscle-spasm conditions, e.g., cervical dystonia, excessive sweating, chronic migraines, etc.

It is crucial to use the service of an experienced medical professional to make sure the product won’t be injected into Botox danger zones (like nasolabial folds, lips, etc.). The best way to choose a reliable specialist is to check their license, read customers’ reviews, and talk with a doctor during the appointment.

Speaking about how long does it take for botox to work, if the procedure is performed correctly, a customer may expect noticeable results after one to two weeks; usually, they last from four to six months based on one’s skin peculiarities, age, health condition, and other crucial factors.

*Commonly, specialists choose between two dosages: Botox 50U and Botox 100U.

Dysport

Dysport – an injectable manufactured by the Ipsen company. Like Botox, this product is based on botulinum toxin (A-type), making it perfectly suitable for treating muscle-related problems. Target areas for Dysport are also the same as Botox, and that’s why there is some confusion when amateurs in the aesthetic medicine sphere try to differentiate these products from one another.

Just one injection session with Dysport may lead to up to five months of rejuvenated, glowing skin. As with all brands with botulinum toxin in the composition, the target for the treatment is usually dynamic wrinkles that can be prevented or effectively eliminated (but it only works for patients up to 30 years of age). For more severe lines and creases, dermal filler administration would work well; with its help, filling in hollow areas and restoring lost volume will be much easier.

Typically, specialists use Dysport of two sizes (the right one is picked based on an individual’s needs):

• Dysport 300U;
• Dysport 500U.

Dysport vs. Botox Therapy

If you are just interested in a short overview of Dysport and Botox treatments, there is a chance you won’t notice much difference between these two. And of course, there are some similarities as the active substance in the injectables is the same. But still, they are just similar – not identical. Let’s discuss the main characteristics of the two brands, which will make it much easier to pick the right and safe option for one’s needs.

Main Similarities Proven by Plastic Surgeons

Botox injections are similar to Dysport, that’s a fact. Below, we provide you with a detailed list of the common features that are often the main reason for confusion among individuals who are new to cosmetic procedures. Here they are:

• The composition. It’s the first and the main resemblance between Botox and Dysport. Both solutions have botulinum toxin type A in their ingredient list as the main active component;
• The working principle. The primary task of both solutions is to block nerve signals in muscles and, in this way, stop their contraction for some time. The administration should be performed intramuscularly to hit the target faster;
• Invasiveness. Both therapeutic and cosmetic use of Dysport and Botox belongs to minimally invasive procedures, which means they are perfect for people who look for a rejuvenation option with minimal downtime required;
• The safety of both products. Both brands are FDA-approved, which means they are both safe and rarely cause severe complications after the injection session (such as allergic reactions or excruciating pain);
• Indications for usage. These botulinum neurotoxin products work well for muscle-related health issues, as well as fine lines and wrinkles reduction. To choose the most suitable option, a consultation with a medical professional is always required;
• Results. Both products are able to provide a long-lasting, natural-looking result (however, from seven to fourteen days are required to see the full effectiveness). Based on certain individual factors, people may see skin improvement after the treatment for average four-nine months;
• Adverse reactions. Botox side effects are the same as with Dysport. Common adverse effects most people notice after the injection session are negative reactions in the target spot (swelling, redness, etc.), high level of skin sensitivity, as well as bruising caused by the needle puncture;
• Limitations. These cosmetic treatments are forbidden for individuals who are allergic to any solution components, have damaged skin in the target spot, suffer from severe health conditions, or recently had other cosmetic or plastic surgery performed on the potential solution administration spot.

Because of numerous similarities between Botox and Dysport, most specialists consider them rather similar; moreover, their compositions make it possible to replace the product one with another is needed.

*The thing is, sometimes the body may stop reacting to the injectable properly, so it stops being helpful for rejuvenating or therapeutical purposes. That’s why solutions should sometimes be changed to guarantee expected results. 

Dissimilarities That Should Be Discussed

As you can see, Botox and Dysport are pretty similar and can often be confused by those who don’t have deep knowledge in the cosmetic beauty sphere. However, there are still some crucial differences that shouldn’t be ignored:

• The concentration of the active substance (botulinum toxin type A). If you compare these two products, you will see that Botox is more concentrated than Dysport. The approximate ratio is 3 to 1;
• The price (usually calculated per unit). Botox is a little bit more pricy than Dysport; however, the difference is hardly noticeable because, as Dysport is less concentrated than Botox, more units of it are needed to provide noticeable improvement. As a result, the final numbers, in the end, look practically the same;
• The result’s durability. Botox’s effect becomes less noticeable in approximately four months, whereas Dysport’s may stay for up to five;
• The spreading time. As Dysport is not as concentrated as Botox, it spreads faster throughout the muscle. That’s why specialists usually prefer it for larger treatment areas;
• Suitable injection spots. As we’ve already mentioned, Dysport is usually picked for large target areas, while Botox is better for small regions (such as dynamic wrinkles in the eye and mouth zones;
• Dosage for the treatment area. Dysport and Botox are mainly available in two forms, but the doses are different. For the first one – 300U and 500U, the second – 50U or 100U.

We think you noticed that there are quite a few differences, but none of them are striking. That’s why it is possible to alter the remedies between one another and replace them if there is such a need.

How to Choose Between Botox and Dysport?

Now, when you are aware of all the crucial similarities and differences, you may think about which product should be picked to fulfill all the needs of a patient. It’s a final step, and it’s usually performed with a medical expert during the consultation in a clinic. However, you may think about it on your own before talking to a doctor, and for you to make the right decision, some crucial information may be needed. Let’s discuss two essential aspects.

Step 1. Make Sure the Procedure Won’t Cause a Medical Emergency

That means all precautions and risks should be considered before the injection session. Find out as much as possible about a specialist whose services you will use. Make sure they are experienced, well-trained, and have plenty of positive reviews before letting them inject anything for skin rejuvenation purposes. Then, it’s important to make sure you are a suitable candidate for either Botox or Dysport administration. And only after following all those sites, it is safe to begin the treatment.

Step 2. Read a Review on Both Products to Choose the Best One

As we have already mentioned, reading reviews can be quite helpful when looking for a specialist who should perform this procedure; however, it is also good to learn more about the products before choosing the best option for your needs. In this way, all the questions you have can be easily answered, such as:

• Which injectable can guarantee a natural-looking expression after the procedure;
• Which product works better for moderate wrinkles, and which one is more suitable for severe lines;
• Which options can be safely combined with other cosmetic treatments;
• Which solution will be able to provide desired results;
• And others.

The Final Word

Overall, we only want to say that both Dysport and Botox are excellent options for aging signs prevention and general skin rejuvenation. Because of the same active substance used in the composition, the effects of these products are pretty similar; however, the results and purposes of those are still quite different, so it is crucial to learn all about them before making the final decision regarding which brand will work better for one’s aesthetic goals. Hopefully, today you found everything you needed in this article. Thank you for reading!