Botox VS. Dysport: Take our version of the Coke vs. Pepsi challenge
Botox VS. Dysport: Take our version of the Coke vs. Pepsi challenge
What’s the difference between Botox and Dysport? Well, you might as well ask “what’s the difference between Coke and Pepsi?” They are two similar products that essentially do the same thing and people tend to form a specific preference for one or the other.
Both Botox and Dysport are both effective in eliminating facial wrinkles. Many clients use one over the other because that’s what the provider offered or the brand name recognition of Botox. We are challenging you to try out the other and see if you can tell a difference!
What is Dysport?
Dysport is also Botulinum Toxin A, the same as Botox. Dysport and Botox do the exact same thing- prevent muscle movement in the face which causes wrinkle formation. Dysport is sold through Galderma, who also sell the Restylane and Sculptra injectables. Dysport was FDA approved for injection into the glabellar region (the frown lines between the eyebrows) in 2009. To read more about the specifics of Botox you can read our previous Botox Blog.
What is the difference between Botox and Dysport?
The active ingredient (Botulinum toxin A) is the exact same in both medications, however the protein structure surrounding each molecule is slightly different.
The second difference is the dosing. Typically, about 2- 3 times more Dysport is needed than Botox. This conversion rate is not standard, and may vary from injector to injector. Dosing in general varies greatly from person to person as well as muscle strength in the area, to name a few factors.
The full result still takes 2 weeks
Regardless of which product you use, full effect still takes two weeks. Early improvement with Botox is usually 3-5 days. There are some clinical studies suggesting Dysport can show improvement as early as two days. Remember, early improvement is just slight reduction in lines. For important events, don’t wait until the last minute to get your Botox or Dysport injected!
Results last 3-4 months
Botox and Dysport both last about the same amount of time. In clinical studies, the quantity of the active Botulinum Toxin A injected determined the duration of action, rather than whether it was Botox or Dysport injected. In some of the studies demonstrating that Dysport lasted longer, it was because a much higher concentration of Dysport was injected, more than what is currently practiced today.
What about increased risk of side effects due to spread of Dysport?
You may have heard that Dysport spreads slightly further from the site of injection than Botox does. This is a myth. Both products can spread from the site of injection. We know this risk is higher as the dose increases. This myth may have come from when Dysport was converted at a much higher ratio.
Are you seeing the trend? The effects are all in the dosing, not the actual product.
The amount of the active molecule of Botulinum Toxin A determines how quickly your wrinkles disappear, the extent to which they disappear, and how long the effects last. The higher the dose, regardless of the product, the higher the chance of side effects.
Why should you try Dysport? It’s less expensive
Dysport is less expensive to the provider, so that savings is passed on to you. At ZL your treatment of Dysport will save you around $25. Not a huge difference, but over the course of a year that’s about $100. Also, just like with Botox, you can get rewards points with Galderma’s Aspire program.
Sign up for the program and receive a $20 coupon to use for your first treatment here.
https://www.aspirerewards.com/app/home.do#how-it-works
The Bottom Line: There isn’t a right or wrong choice
Try both, preferably from the same injector, and see what you think. Anytime I treat someone for the first time with either Botox or Dysport, I follow up in 2 weeks to ensure we have achieved the perfect dose for you. If you happen to like both, pick the one that’s cheaper! Botox or Dysport injections are done in just 20 minutes and have no downtime. Schedule your appointment for your lunch break even!
References:
Bonaparte, J. P., Ellis, D., Quinn, J. G., Ansari, M. T., Rabski, J., & Kilty, S. J. (2013). A comparative assessment of three formulations of botulinum toxin A for facial rhytides: a systematic review and meta-analyses. Systematic Reviews, 2, 40. http://doi.org/10.1186/2046-4053-2-40
Hanan Mohamed El Kahky, Heba Mahmoud Diab, Dalia Gamal Aly, and Nehal Magdi Farag, “Efficacy of Onabotulinum Toxin A (Botox) versus Abobotulinum Toxin A (Dysport) Using a Conversion Factor (1 : 2.5) in Treatment of Primary Palmar Hyperhidrosis,” Dermatology Research and Practice, vol. 2013, Article ID 686329, 6 pages, 2013. doi:10.1155/2013/686329