Perhaps you’re just beginning to notice the early signs of aging across your forehead and around your eyes, or maybe you’re tired of looking at the wrinkles and lines that have taken up permanent residence in these areas.
As you probably know, prescription cosmetic injections like Botox® and Dysport® can help erase lines and help you look refreshed and more youthful. But you may not know how Botox and Dysport work and the differences between the two.
Here at Manhattan Dermatology, our team of dermatologists at both New York City locations in Murray Hill and Midtown East, expertly recommend Botox and Dysport based on your individual concerns, skin, and lifestyle. Take a few minutes to learn more about Botox and Dysport and the difference between these two anti-aging treatments.
Botox is a prescription cosmetic injectable solution made from a highly purified form of botulinum toxin. This neurotoxin occurs in nature, and when your dermatologist injects it into specific points across your forehead, between your eyebrows, and around the outer corners of your eyes, it temporarily reduces muscle movement beneath the surface of your skin.
This means that you can still make all your usual facial expressions, but the muscles contract less so wrinkles appear smoother.
Botox is FDA-approved, backed by more than 16 years of research and is the No. 1 selling treatment of its kind. Your doctor determines the dosage you need to look younger, yet natural; refreshed, not frozen. In a single 10-minute treatment, Botox can improve the look of moderate to severe frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines for up to four months.
When you’re happy with the results, we create a customized treatment plan so you can come in for touch-ups to maintain a more youthful appearance all year long.
Dysport is another botulinum toxin that works in a similar way as Botox — by reducing muscle movement so moderate to severe frown lines appear smoother and less noticeable when you make all your usual facial expressions.
Your dermatologist injects Dysport in just five points above and between your eyebrows to temporarily prevent muscle contractions that cause lines.
Treatment takes 10-20 minutes and can help you look younger for up to four months. Most men and women see a noticeable difference in the appearance of forehead lines and frown lines two to three days after receiving Dysport injections.
Like Botox, Dysport also has a long history of clinical research, including 25 years of experience worldwide and approval in 69 countries.
First, Botox and Dysport both work to smooth wrinkles by blocking nerve signals to the underlying muscles. Because of the differences in the manufacturing processes of each of these cosmetic injectables, their potency level is different.
This means their dosage isn’t equal or interchangeable. For example, 10 units of Botox has about the same potency as 25 units of Dysport.
Another difference between Botox and Dysport is that Dysport is only FDA-approved to treat glabellar wrinkles — the vertical lines between your eyebrows. Botox, on the other hand, is FDA-approved to treat glabellar lines, crow’s feet, and horizontal forehead lines. So, depending on your skin condition and aging concerns, we may recommend either Dysport or Botox for maximum results.
Typically, Botox is more expensive per unit than Dysport, too, but cost alone shouldn’t be the determining factor for choosing one over the other. Again, it depends on how well the product works for you that makes it worth the expense.
Our dermatologists have been treating men and women with Botox and Dysport for many years and have a medical understanding of facial structure and skin elasticity. Based on your individual needs, we create a treatment plan that makes the most sense.
If you’re ready to do something about the lines and wrinkles over and between your eyebrows and the crow’s feet at the outer corners of your eyes, we can help. Botox and Dysport are quick, nonsurgical approaches to anti-aging, and there’s minimal downtime with either, if any at all.
Give one of our Manhattan Dermatology offices a call today, or book a consultation through our convenient online system.
