Dysport & Botox for Facial Lines

The active ingredient for Dysport (pronounced diss-port) and for Botox, is a refined form of the botulinum toxin type A. The active ingredient in each of these medications acts to block the muscle tension that creates facial lines between the eyebrows, the forehead and around the eyes. When either Botox or Dysport is injected, the facial muscles relax and cause the skins surface to smooth, decreasing the appearance of facial fine lines.

Both agents have been used throughout the United States and Europe for many years and have an incredibly strong safety profile. You might be interested to know that Botox was first used in the 1960s as a treatment for strabismus (crossed eyes) and eyelid twitching. Since then it has been used extensively to treat excessive sweating and even spasms from cerebral palsy in children.

Possible side effects of Botox and Dysport are similar. After injection, patients may rarely experience a temporary headache, some soreness or tenderness at the injection site, light bruising, or redness. Very rarely, some drooping of facial muscles near treated areas can occur, usually as a result of "spreading” of the medicine. These side effects are generally less than 1% of patients treated.

Patients may see notable reduction in facial creases within three days of Dysport injection and within a week of Botox. These differences are due to minor changes in the chemical structures of the almost identical medications.

We welcome comments or questions about Dysport or Botox. If you would like specific answers to your questions, please request a free cosmetic consultation at any of our offices.