Botox vs. Dysport Explained

Recently, patients are asking me to explain the difference between Botox and Dysport. They wonder how the medications work and if there was a noticeable difference in treatment between them.

The conversations are interesting and I think it’s critical for patients to be educated on their treatment options, so I decided to answer some of common questions I answer during a consultation:

What is the difference between Botox vs. Dysport?

Botox® and Dysport® are both Botulinum Toxin Type A, a medication which works by blocking the communication between the nerves and muscles, thus relaxing lines and wrinkles in treated sites. The molecular structure of Dysport® is slightly smaller than Botox®, which causes the treatment to diffuse faster and therefore it has a quicker onset than Botox®.* Dysport® treatment is noticeable as early as 1-2 days after treatment, where Botox® can take as long as 5-7 days before the effects are seen.

Which is a better treatment, Botox or Dysport?

Each treatment is different, but generally speaking, Botox® and Dysport® can work interchangeably. Personally, I find there are specific areas that benefit more from Dysport® treatment and therefore recommend it over Botox® when performing certain procedures, and vice-versa. For instance, when treating “crow’s feet”, clusters of tiny wrinkles and fine lines around the outer corners of the eyes, Dysport® treatment has a much nicer diffusion with more even distribution and gives a more natural effect.* Conversely, Botox® treatment works well for the glabella region, the skin between the eyebrows and above the nose. Because of this, I will sometimes use a combination of both products during treatment.

What’s the cost difference between Botox and Dysport?

From a cost perspective, Dysport® and Botox® treatment is about the same. However, research suggests that Dysport® lasts longer than Botox®, so it actually presents the better value. The best news for patients is that they now have options. Botox® is by far more commonly used than Dysport® because of name recognition and being a long-time market leader. But Dysport® gives Botox® strong competition in smoothing out facial lines and wrinkles.

What’s absolutely imperative with Botox® or Dysport® is that the person administering the treatment is a well trained specialist who understands the unique characteristics of each medication, along with the advantages and disadvantages of use for any particular area. When administered properly, the effects are focused on the treatment zone and result in a beautiful wrinkle-free and rejuvenated look. The risk is high; without this expertise a patient risks effects traveling outside of the injection zone, affecting surrounding areas, which leads to unintended side effects like eyelid droop and facial distortion.

Dr. Boudreault is a plastic surgeon who has been providing high quality injections of both Botox® and Dysport® treatment at his practice, Illuminate Plastic Surgery, located in Palo Alto & San Jose, California.  Please visit his Yelp page for reviews from his happy patients (link).

Call Dr. Boudreault’s office at (650) 433-8621 to schedule your Botox® or Dysport consultation today.

What do you think about Botox® vs. Dysport®? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below!.