What is Dysport?
Everyone is familiar with Botox, an injectable that relaxes the muscles that cause wrinkles to forehead and crows feet. Botox is made by a company called Allergan, has been around for over 30 years, and has an extremely high safety and satisfaction rate with its consumers. In April of 2009 a competitor was approved by the FDA called Dysport. Dysport is was introduced by a company Medicis who had the distribution rights for the United States (also the company who makes Restylane and Perlane fillers), and although it’s new here in the US, it has been available and is more popular in Europe (known as Reloxin) than Botox for a long time. Overall Botox and Dysport are very similar. Both are a type of botulinum type A used to relax the muscles that cause frown lines and other over active muscles of the face, like forehead lines and crows feet. I tell my patients that it’s like comparing apples to apples. Dysport is a smaller-sized molecule so its unit measurement is different than Botox. Both have been in use for years and both have a high safety profile, both can be used on other parts of the face and body, and both Dysport and Botox must be injected every 3-4 months. Both show similar efficacy and side effects, and in most double-blind clinical studies both the patient and the doctor were unable to tell the results apart.
Here are the main differences:
- Dysport usually lasts as long as Botox or longer (depends on doctor's dilution but 2.5 ratio is recommended vs. Botox)
- Dysport has a slightly quicker onset (2-5 days vs 4-7 days for Botox)
- Dysport diffuses more (i.e., spreads to a wider area). This is an advantage in some areas of the face and a disadvantage in others.
- Dysport units are measured differently to Botox units (European company). Industry standard is 2.5 units of Dysport = 1 unit of Botox. Pricing is less for Dysport per unit since patients require more units for a treatment area. We explain to patients that it's like using metric system in Europe vs. non-metric in US. It's not a matter of "units" that's important, it's the amount of the active ingredient needed to be effective is what matters.
Our price if $4.80 with 100 units/$480 treatment min. for Dr. Lee (2.5 dysport units = 1 unit botox so exact same price for efficacy) per unit for Dysport. For patients who have had Botox before, you will need to multiple Botox units that you receive times 2.5 for the total Dysport units needed for your treatment. In our office, pricing is basically the same whether you use Dysport or Botox for each treatment area. Some of our patients prefer one to the other- it's really a matter of preference.
Here are some typical Dysport injection pricing per site:
How Many Dysport Treatments Will I Need?
You can achieve beautiful results with just one Dysport treatment. That said, it can be difficult to predict how your body will respond to this FDA-approved drug. If, after two weeks, you feel that you would like enhanced effects in the treated area, you may schedule a touch-up. This treatment will not involve as many units or injections as your first; it is intended to boost what was achieved after your initial set of injections. Future appointments will help you maintain your desired results after you have achieved them.
How Long Will It Take to See Results After Treatment?
The results of Dysport injections can begin to appear as soon as two days after your appointment. These can continue to improve for up to about a week.
How Should I Prepare for my Dysport Treatment?
During your consultation for Dysport treatment, it is helpful if you disclose the medications and supplements that you regularly take. There is a slight risk of bruising from injectable treatments. If you consume products that thin your blood, your risk of bruising is greater than it would be otherwise. Discussing your use of various products can enable you to mitigate this risk if you would like.
Due to a risk of inflammation or skin irritation, it is advantageous to schedule your Dysport treatment at least one week, preferably two, in advance of or after an important occasion for which you want to look your absolute best. Your provider may advise you to get Dysport at least a week or two after certain other treatments, such as microdermabrasion, a chemical peel, or laser treatment.
How Long Do Results Last?
Your body will metabolize the drug in its unique timing, but we anticipate satisfactory effects to last three to four months. The results of this treatment can last up to six months. Regular touch-up appointments can make your results last longer.
Is There Any Recovery Time After Treatment?
No. You can expect to resume your normal activities right after receiving your Dysport injections. The side effects are usually mild enough that they fade quickly and do not interfere with work or other tasks.
What Are the Side Effects of Dysport?
Dysport is a neuromodulator made with a controlled amount of purified botulinum toxin, just like Botox. It is possible to be allergic to this protein, though it is quite rare. The manufacturer's box warning states that there is a slight risk of allergic reaction or spreading of the drug, which could result in difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, or other potentially serious complications. Again, this rarely happens. In the uncommon instances that it has, prompt medical attention has reversed the reaction quickly.
The most common side effects that are associated with Dysport injections include minor headaches, temporary redness and swelling at injection sites, and mild bruising or discoloration. These side effects usually last no more than a few hours. However, they can last up to a few days.
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