Botox vs Dysport: What’s the Difference?
Botox and Dysport are both popular products to address a variety of skin issues. Many people, though, wonder what the difference between Botox vs Dysport is. When you are comparing Botox vs. Dysport there are many questions that patients typically have. These injectable medicines relax your facial muscles to eliminate wrinkles, frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines. You may be wondering if one is more effective than the other. Should you switch from Botox to Dysport or vice versa? This article will help you understand the difference between the two to aid you in a decision about what is best for you.
At Green Relief Health in Baltimore, MD, we are prepared to answer all of your questions about our treatments, including explaining the difference between Botox and Dysport.
What is Botox?
Botox works in a similar way to Dysport. Botox and Dysport both have the same active ingredient which is botulinum toxin A. This may sound scary but it isn’t and is completely safe. The weakened toxin in Botox works by blocking nerve signals to targeted muscle areas. The results are softer and more relaxed muscles. This muscle relaxation helps to reduce or eliminate wrinkles and forehead lines for a period of time. The average Botox patient will typically see results for 3 to 4 months.
Botox and Dysport are often used interchangeably in conversation because of the similarities of the two products. Botox is manufactured by Allergen, which is a company that exclusively serves the United States. Dysport is manufactured by Galderma, which is another large drug company. Dysport has been popular in Europe for years even before its FDA approval here in America in 2009.
What is Dysport?
Dysport has many similarities to Botox. When looking at Botox vs Dysport you will see that Dysport is also a non-invasive injectable that is a muscle relaxer. Like Botox, Dysport is used to correct a variety of age-related complications. Dysport is also a botulinum toxin that causes your facial muscles to relax. Similar to Botox, it is injected under the skin in targeted areas to relax certain muscles.
It is possible for Dysport to treat moderate to severe wrinkles. The injections of Dysport cause the muscles in your face to relax resulting in a reduction or elimination of fine lines or wrinkles on your face. Like Botox, Dysport can last for 3 to 4 months. After that time period you will need more treatment to continue to see reduced or eliminated fine lines and wrinkles.
Botox vs Dysport Concentration
Dysport is more diluted than Botox. However, this doesn’t mean that it is less effective. The difference in concentration in Botox vs. Dysport occurs because Dysport uses a smaller protein molecule to create muscle relaxation. These smaller proteins are less likely to be broken down by your body’s antibodies, which means that it is possible for it to be less concentrated.
The concentration differences can make Dysport useful when treating large areas. This concentration difference can also mean that Dysport will spread quickly. However, both Botox and Dysport are both effective at reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Botox and Dysport Molecular Weights
In addition to some of the composition differences between Dysport vs Botox, Botox also has lower variability in molecular weight. Botox has a consistent molecular weight of 900 Kilodaltons, while Dysport has more variability in the protein sizes used to deliver its active ingredient.
This variability does result in one important difference between the two injectables. Dysport tends to diffuse easily across a large surface area after injection, which means that fewer injections may be necessary to achieve your desired results, although this can vary between patients.
However, the consistency in Botox molecular weight means that it can be used for more target locations such as the “11s” between your eyebrows. Botox is also useful for specific areas around the mouth and underneath your eyes.
Are the Botox and Dysport Differences Significant?
Generally speaking, Botox and Dysport function in a similar way. They have the same active ingredients, safety profiles, and approved uses. They are both muscle relaxing agents that can treat the same areas of your face. Let’s examine the different areas that each can treat to understand how they may differ.
Between The Brows
The areas between your eyebrows are referred to as the glabella or the “11s” that form fine lines and wrinkles with expressions. Botox and Dysport both work well in this area to treat and wrinkles that appear.
Crow’s Feet
The fine lines and wrinkles that appear around your eyes are often referred to as your Crow’s feet. Typically, you will see these wrinkle the most when you smile. Botox and Dysport can both help to eliminate these wrinkles.
Forehead Lines
Forehead lines are exactly what the name implies. These are the wrinkles that appear on your forehead that often result from facial expressions. Botox and Dysport are both effective in treating this area of the face.
Where to Get Botox vs Dysport?
At the end of the day, getting the best results with Botox or Dysport will depend on how the injections are administered. When delivered in the right way, you may not notice a significant difference between these two medications. Healthy competition is also a good thing for consumers- as they will enjoy more competitive prices and higher quality products.
Just because natural aging has given you wrinkles doesn’t mean you have to live with them! It’s time to make a proactive effort about your appearance with efficient and reliable anti-aging treatments, such as Botox and Dysport. If you are looking for more information on whether Botox or Dysport injections are right for you, Green Relief Health can help. Contact our Med Spa for assistance finding the best fillers and injections based on your needs. If you are looking for Botox or Dysport injections in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area and surrounding cities, schedule a personal consultation with us and get started today. We look forward to helping you make the best-informed decision about your future treatments so you can reach your aesthetic goals.
