Dysport®
Dr. Brooke R. Seckel
Dysport® is a muscle relaxant similar to but different from Botox® that is used to remove wrinkles. Dysport® is also botulinum toxin A as is Botox®, but Dysport® is a different form called abobotulinum toxin A. It takes about twice as many units of Dysport® to get the same effect as Botox®.
Dysport® works by relaxing the muscles of facial expression that cause wrinkles.
People have Dysport® for the same reasons that they have Botox® injections. Dysport® is also tried in patients who have had Botox® but failed to respond. Dysport® is used to lessen temporary facial lines such as:
Dysport® is safe when injected according to recommended doses in the prescribing information that accompanies the product by an experienced physician injector who has received training. It is also safe only if used on patients who have no contraindications such as neuromuscular disease and certain chronic diseases listed in the prescribing information.
Realself.com lists the average Price for Dysport® injection in the Boston area to $654. There is no cost advantage to Dysport® over Botox®.
Dysport® injections should not be painful if topical anesthesia and cold therapy are used.
Prior to your Dysport® injection your indications will be discussed with you and your medical history will be taken to discover any contraindications such as neuromuscular disease or pregnancy. The skin will be cleansed and topical numbing medicine will be applied Cold therapy will be applied and your injection should not be painful.
You will look normal after Dysport® injection. The skin may be pink from the cold therapy. You should be able to return to work in most cases.
People should not be able to tell that you’ve had a Dysport® injection. You will see the results when you look in the mirror, but friends, coworkers and casual acquaintances should not be able to tell.
Onset of effect of Dysport® may be quicker occurring in 1-2 days instead of 3-4 days as with Botox®.
Most physicians agree that the duration of Dysport® is similar to that of Botox® on average 3-4 months.
Patients with neuromuscular disease such as ALS and other paralytic diseases should not have Dysport®. There is also a list of chronic serious medical illnesses which either contraindicate Dysport® or require a decreased dose. Be sure to discuss any illness you have with your physician before you have an injection. Patients who are pregnant or nursing should not have Dysport®.
In my opinion only physicians who have been trained in Dysport® injection techniques should give injections. I emphasized training because the dilution technique, the number of units used, and the volume of fluid injected are very different for Dysport® from Botox®.
The short answer is neither one is better. The key answer is the one that is best for you. Botox® and Dysport® are nearly identical prescription injectable muscle relaxant agents used cosmetically for anti-aging skin rejuvenation to reduce the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. The differences real and imagined are:
Xeomin® is the newest muscle relaxant which is FDA approved for treatment of medical conditions such as cervical dystonia and blepharospasm but not yet FDA approved for cosmetic uses. Xeomin® is incobotulinumtoxinA and is being used off label for treatment of dynamic lines and wrinkles. The advantage of Xeomin® is that it does not have to be refrigerated and because it has no preservatives may be less likely for patients to develop resistance to its effects. There is also some evidence that Xeomin® may last longer than Botox® or Dysport®.
Dr. Brooke R. Seckel is a board certified plastic surgeon in Boston, who helps patients combat the signs of aging. If aging skin is a concern for you, please contact the Boston Plastic Surgery Specialists to schedule a consultation today.