BOTOX VS. DYSPORT: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Written by Kelly Wala, RN BSN, Advanced Nurse Injector on February 11, 2021

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Botox and Dysport are both neuromodulators or neurotoxins (forms of botulinum toxin type A) that have been approved by the FDA for minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. The minimally-invasive injectables are equally safe, and both work via the same mechanism. Both are neuromodulators temporarily paralyze muscles of the face, which reduces wrinkles and smooths skin.

While both products are used for the same indications and are chemically similar, there are a few key differences between the two. These differences are so great that its important for patients to understand that these products are not interchangeable.

In this post we will compare Botox vs. Dysport to look at their similarities and differences, as well as provide guidance on which neuromodulator is may be best for your specific needs.

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ABOUT BOTOX

Botox works the same way Dysport does. The naturally derived toxin blocks nerve signals to your muscles, which results in a more relaxed and softer-looking face. Botox is exclusive to the US market, while Dysport was used in Europe long before it received FDA approval.

Botox injections take place in your doctor’s office and require little to no downtime. Your doctor may first apply a topical anesthetic to reduce injection-site pain. Botox is more frequently used to treat small areas or fine lines. The number of units needed depends upon the area to be treated and the severity of the wrinkles.  The results of Botox may take longer to appear, but Botox also tends to last longer, up to 4 months. Still a temporary solution for wrinkles, however, repeated injections are required to maintain results.

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ABOUT DYSPORT 

Dysport is a neuromodulator which, like Botox, is derived from the botulinum toxin. It works by temporarily paralyzing muscles. When your muscles relax, wrinkles that are formed by repeated muscular contractions are minimized. Dysport is injected under the skin to treat moderate to severe wrinkles. It’s not typically used for fine lines. The 11 lines between the eyebrows are commonly the face’s deepest wrinkles, which is why Dysport is frequently used to treat this area. Dysport, like Botox, is a temporary solution for wrinkles. Results last from 3-4 months, at which point you’ll need a follow-up injection to maintain your smooth look.

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BOTOX VS. DYSPORT: THE MAIN DIFFERENCES

The difference between Botox and Dysport comes down to varying formula characteristics:

Dosage: There is one important difference between Botox and Dysport: they are dosed differently. It takes three units of Dysport to equal the muscle relaxing strength of one unit of Botox. This distinction is very important, 50 units of Botox does not equal 50 units of Dysport. Please see a licensed injector for proper dosage.

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Dilution: Dysport is diluted differently than botox. So if a patient is used to a certain number of Botox units for a treatment they will likely need to increase the number of units when switching to Dysport (or vice versa). However, greater dilution does not mean that Dysport is less effective than Botox. It just means that a higher quantity of Dysport is needed to achieve the same level of result. For clinics that price the products by the unit, you will find that the price per unit of Dysport is typically much lower than the price per unit of Botox, but to get a similar treatment result the final cost may be about the same.

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Molecule size: The Dysport formula contains smaller molecules compared to Botox, which may be beneficial. Smaller molecules enable Dysport to work faster than Botox and a larger area of spreading. In some areas this is beneficial and in some areas this is not. That is why it is very important to go to a provider who has lots of experience and expertise in proper dosing and placement of your neurotoxin.

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Diffusion: Dysport tends to diffuse more than Botox, causing it to spread to a broader area after it’s injected. This means a larger treatment area can be addressed in fewer injections, which can be beneficial when addressing larger treatment areas. However, this diffusion means Dysport is less effective in treating smaller areas where more precision is needed or areas with thicker muscles.

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Onset:  Compared to Botox, Dysport has the quickest “onset” of action; typically requiring 24 hours for all results to be realized. Botox can take up to 72 hours for results to fully establish.

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IS BOTOX BETTER THAN DYSPORT IN CERTAIN FACIAL AREAS?

When Botox is injected, it stays put in the injection area. This makes Botox a premiere option for treating smaller, more targeted areas around the lips and eyes. Dysport, on the other hand, diffuses into larger areas after being injected, meaning it spreads further away from the injection site. This makes Dysport ideal for treating larger areas, like the forehead, as fewer injections are needed to address a larger treatment area.

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Here’s which neurotoxin is best for addressing common facial areas:

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Wrinkles Around the Eyes

Common wrinkles around the eyes include 11 lines, the two parallel lines that form between the eyebrows and crow’s feet. 11 lines are best treated by Dysport, which is typically reserved for deeper wrinkles. Crow’s feet are more often treated by Botox, which avoids any ‘drift’ of the toxin toward the eyes.

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Forehead Lines

Forehead lines are the horizontal lines that extend across the forehead. These are best treated by Dysport, which is recommended for larger areas. Dysport more easily spreads from the injection site, thus treating your lines with fewer injections.

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Lip Lines

Lip lines are the vertical wrinkles above the lip, also known as smoker’s lines. Lip lines require an advanced, precise injection technique. This makes Botox the better choice, since the neurotoxin will stay put in the small area into which it was injected.

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Medical Applications

Both Dysport and Botox are sometimes used to treat muscle spasms, sweat gland disorders, migraines or TMJ. Their primary use, however, continues to be the cosmetic prevention and treatment of wrinkles.

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SIMILARITIES BETWEEN BOTOX & DYSPORT

Over time, fine lines and wrinkles naturally develop in areas of the face due to repetitious muscle contractions from normal everyday facial movements or expressions. For example, smiling and squinting create ‘crow’s feet’ around the eyes, while raising your eyebrows results in forehead lines. Both Botox and Dysport address fine lines and wrinkles by relaxing muscle tissue to the point where they prevent the muscle from contracting. When either product is injected into a targeted muscle area the nerve impulses that control muscle contraction are temporarily blocked. The resulting decrease in movement and relaxation of muscles reduces the appearance of wrinkles in the area.

The results of both Botox and Dysport are temporary. After a period of time nerve impulses begin to reach the targeted muscle area again, resulting in both muscle contractions and the reappearance of wrinkles and lines. However, an experienced injector can maintain the positive results of neurotoxins with regular treatment sessions approximately every 3-4 months.

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IS THERE A DIFFERENCE IN RESULTS? 

Botox and Dysport work similarly and have the capacity to provide similar results. One big difference between these neurotoxins is results onset, that is how soon results are visible. With Dysport, patients may begin to notice results in as little as 24 hours after treatment. With Botox, final results may not be noticeable until 72 hours or longer after your injections. Depending on your treatment, the amount of neuromodulator needed will also differ. Dysport injections come in smaller units. One unit of Botox is equal to 2.5 units of Dysport. This does not mean you’ll pay double for Botox. Both drugs are similarly priced, as one unit of Dysport costs about 1/2 of a unit of Botox. The amount you’ll need depends primarily on your specific cosmetic concern.

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DOES BOTOX LAST LONGER THAN DYSPORT?

The results of Botox typically last between three to four months from injection. In contrast, Dysport typically lasts for about four and a half months. Result duration can vary from patient to patient as many variables like treatment location, muscle size, and patient metabolism can play a role It’s important for patients to know that they can extend the results of either Botox or Dysport by undergoing periodic maintenance treatment sessions. It’s also true that after about a year of undergoing Botox or Dysport treatments, many patients can go longer between treatment sessions as it takes far less effort (dosage) for the targeted muscles to relax.

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IS DYSPORT CHEAPER THAN BOTOX?

When strictly looking at price per unit, Dysport is cheaper than Botox. However, the disparity is deceiving as it takes 2.5 units of Dysport to provide the same muscle relaxing power as a s 1 unit of Botox. So on a strictly price per unit basis, Dysport can appear pretty cheap , $5 per unit)compared to Botox at $10 per unit. However, the total procedure cost will even out as it takes 2.5 Dysport units to be equivalent to one Botox unit. During an in-person consultation, patients should ask their injector how pricing would differ given the specific results they desire.

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CONCLUSION

In the end, the choice between Botox and Dysport may come down to simple preference of both the injector and the patient. At times, skilled injectors may even use both products concurrently during a single treatment session to most effectively produce a patients’ desired result.