With aging comes wisdom – as well as fine lines and wrinkles. But while you may be happy to grow wiser, most of us aren’t happier to appear older. That’s why injectable treatments like Botox and Dysport may be a good option for you.
Botox vs. Dysport: Which One Is Right for You?
Right from the top, choosing between Botox and Dysport can be a difficult job since each of these treatments share plenty of similarities. But some factors will help you decide which injectable is right for you, such as the dosage required, how long results last, and the type of results you are looking for.
But before we get into the differences between these two products, we should unpack the basics of these neurotoxins. To start, you’re probably already familiar with Botox as a household name that has been widely used for over a decade. Dysport is a newer product but is quickly becoming just as popular. Each of these neurotoxins is considered safe and effective for the majority of patients.
Botox
Botox was the first injectable of its kind to use botulinum toxin A to relax muscles in the face to smooth the appearance of wrinkles. The main principle behind this neurotoxin injectable is the bacteria-derived toxin that causes muscles to stop moving due to the way motor neurons are inhibited by the toxin. This injectable was first developed to treat eyelid spasms, but over time has become more widely known for treating glabellar lines, frown lines, forehead wrinkles, and even areas of the lower face, such as downturned mouth corners or gummy smiles.
Dysport
Dysport is made with a similar botulinum toxin A formula that can relax tense facial muscles and help your skin appear younger. Both the application and results for this neurotoxin are similar to the original neurotoxin injectable, but the slight variance in this formula means that this particular treatment may be more ideal for those who have mild concerns.
Overall, because these two treatments are so similar, most patients view choosing between them as something much like choosing between soda brands. However, there are still some notable differences to consider, such as:
Different Neurotoxin Variation
While both injectables are formulated with botulinum toxin A, the treatments use slightly different neurotoxin variants. The ONA used for Botox has larger molecules that are more static once injected, while ABO is used for Dysport and has smaller molecules that spread more easily in the muscle.
This is part of the reason why the dosage for each injectable is different and why one formula may work better for you than the other. In fact, the ABO formulation tends to be more effective for people who have built up a tolerance or who do not get optimal results from the ONA formula.
Different Result Speeds
In general, you can expect the results of Dysport to appear more quickly. This is partly because the purer ABO formula attaches to your muscles to inhibit muscle movement more quickly, and also because the smaller molecules of the formula can act more quickly. Most people who use this injectable can expect results within 24 hours, while the results of Botox may take 48 to 72 hours to appear.
Different Spread
The molecular difference between these neurotoxins directly impacts how far they each spread once injected. The ABO formula has smaller molecules that spread more easily over a larger area, which could be a plus if you want to relax a larger area of the face.
On the other hand, the ONA formula uses larger molecules that generally stay in place once injected, making that treatment a better option if you have small, specific targeted areas of treatment.
Which Product Is Right for You?
Determining which product is right for you will be a combination of your treatment goals, your aesthetic concerns, and your personal preference. Most patients are satisfied with either neurotoxin treatment – and in fact, blind tests suggest that patients could not tell the difference between which injectable was used for their treatment. Ultimately, either neurotoxin is likely a good choice for your treatment.
That said, some patients like to use both neurotoxins – although not during the same treatment. Many patients like to alternate between these two treatments to avoid building a tolerance to either injectable, which can happen after several consecutive treatments. By using both products, you can prolong your results and prevent future wrinkle formation.
What Are the Benefits of Neurotoxin Injectables?
Several factors make these treatments so attractive. For one thing, regardless of which neurotoxin you select, you can be sure that you will benefit from effective, fast results that will last for about three to four months at a time. As a temporary anti-aging treatment, this is much more preferable to other more invasive treatments, particularly since neurotoxin injectables can be used to treat the upper face while other treatments cannot. Other benefits of these treatments include:
Smoother Skin
While over-the-counter products can promise a lot, the truth is that they often aren’t strong enough to truly smooth away the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, especially when wrinkles are deep or severe. Injectable treatments, on the other hand, are always reliable and can create the youthful effect you are looking for.
These science-based interventions address the root of your anti-aging concerns and can actually help prevent future wrinkles from forming, which is why many younger patients with early visible signs of aging opt to use these treatments.
Minimize Stress Impacts
Stress takes a toll on your skin. Not only do stress hormones like cortisol prematurely break down the natural collagen in your skin, but stress also has a way of creating tension in the muscles that lead to wrinkle formation.
If you have a permanent furrow between your brows, wrinkles on your forehead, or frown lines around your mouth, then it’s likely because stress has been creating tension in your face. Using a neurotoxin injectable, you can relax these tense muscles, and in turn, relax the appearance of stress on your face.
Natural Results
Contrary to what many may think, neurotoxin injectables actually deliver natural-looking results. While many assume that a muscle relaxing treatment will make your face appear frozen, the truth is that once the immediate results wear off about three days after your treatment, you will be able to make subtle facial expressions.
Many patients also fear that their face will be numb after treatment, but this injectable only affects motor neurons – not the sensory neurons that communicate sensation to the face. You will be able to enjoy naturally younger-looking results after this treatment.
Convenient Treatment
Neurotoxin treatments are considered “lunchtime” appointments since they can be done within 30 minutes or less. You will not need to schedule any downtime after your treatment and you will be able to go back to work or your normal daily routine after your treatment is complete.
The convenience of this treatment even extends to the preparation and aftercare. Before your treatment, you will only need to temporarily stop taking blood-thinning medications and supplements. After your treatment, you will only need to avoid hot water, steam, and excessive sweating for a few days.
Safe and Non-Invasive
Both of these treatments are approved by the FDA for the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Each of these treatments is considered safe for the vast majority of interested patients. Not only will these treatments work effectively as intended each time, but they also have zero risks of causing any scarring on the skin. This can be a huge advantage over surgical treatments, such as a facelift, that can leave marks on the skin.
Your treatment will be performed by administering a dosage of the neurotoxin directly to the muscle causing wrinkles on your skin. Usually, we apply a topical numbing cream before your treatment so you will be comfortable. The needle used for your treatment is thin enough that you will not have a visible mark left on your skin after your treatment is complete.
Easy Compatibility
One of the greatest advantages of neurotoxin injectables is the fact that they are highly compatible with other aesthetic treatments. Most people have more than one appearance-related concern, so even if fine lines and wrinkles are at the top of your list, you likely have other skin concerns you would like to address. In that case, it’s fortunate that these neurotoxins can be combined with other treatments to achieve your desired results.
For example, if you are experiencing volume loss, you can just these injectables with neurotoxins. If you have superficial concerns, such as dark spots or enlarged pores, you can use a resurfacing treatment like a chemical peel to refine the appearance of your skin. We will be happy to help you build a treatment plan that will accomplish all of your appearance goals.
Easily Maintained
The results of your treatment will also be easily maintained. Most of the time, maintenance is as simple as attending regularly scheduled appointments three to four times a year to prolong your results. Between your appointments, you can enhance your results by using skincare products that support your anti-aging goals.
The most important part of maintaining your results will be to wear SPF in the daytime to prevent the neurotoxin from breaking down prematurely.
Who Are Good Candidates?
Most adults who are struggling with fine lines and wrinkles on the face are likely good candidates for this treatment. If you are not currently pregnant or breastfeeding, and if you do not have a history of severe allergies, you are probably eligible. We can determine your eligibility with a consultation appointment.
If this is your first time using a neurotoxin, you may want to complete a simple allergy test to ensure these neurotoxins are compatible with your body. We encourage patients to reschedule their appointment if they have an active skin infection within two weeks of their treatment, which would include psoriasis, eczema, cold sores, and fever blisters.
What is the Botox lip flip and how does it work?
Do you feel like your upper lip disappears when you smile? Do you feel like your smile is all gums? Maybe your lips used to be full but lately, they seem less plump.
Because aging impacts collagen production, your lips can begin to lose the fullness and elasticity that you’re used to. This can result in a thin smile and vertical lines. Even if you were born with full lips, you might see the shape fading over time. What’s more frustrating than losing one of your most prominent features?
Fortunately, you don’t have to settle for thin, faded lips. Whether you were born with thinner lips or you’ve lost your fullness over time, there are a number of treatment options available designed to help you bring new life to your lips and enhance your natural beauty. The most popular option, Botox Lip Flip, also happens to be one of the safest available.
What Is A Lip Flip?
The Lip Flip is a fast and easy procedure that takes just 15 minutes, leaving your lips looking full and soft. Botox injections around the lips relax those muscles, allowing the lip to roll slightly outward. This reveals more of the lip surface, making them look larger.
Botox is the biggest injectable on the market—and by far the safest. It’s FDA approved, delivers noticeable results in as little as 72 hours, and has been reviewed in over 700 clinical studies. If you have a gummy smile, a Botox treatment can relax your upper lip and allow it to rest just above the tops of your teeth, covering your gums. It also plumps up existing lip tissue for extra volume.
How Does It Work?
Botox contains botulinum toxins, naturally occurring neurotoxins that temporarily paralyze specific muscles to visibly minimize signs of aging. It’s most commonly used to remove forehead lines, crows feet, and lines around the mouth. However, the same proven technology works wonders on your lips.
This only takes a few minutes and is virtually painless. You’ll see full results in several days and the results last a few months. It’s a great, subtle, temporary solution to thin lips.
As an extra benefit, the relaxing nature of Botox also helps with vertical lines around your mouth. It can make you look years younger in hours.
The Lip Flip simply relaxes your lip muscles to allow more surface area to show. It creates a pouty look and helps to keep that top lip from disappearing when you smile. Whether you choose a lip filler or a flip is dependent on how dramatic and how you want the change to be.
A Lip Flip is a simple injection of botox, which simply comes with temporary numbness and very slight swelling. Lip fillers will last much longer than Botox, but for some, the savings and less invasive nature of Botox is a better option.
