What are Botox ® and Dysport ®?

Botox ® and Dysport ® contain a safe, FDA approved synthetic protein Botulinum Toxin A. The two products provide equally effective results.

Facial wrinkles  

Anti-wrinkle injections in the facial muscles reduce frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet. Providing a younger, youthful, and more appealing appearance.

Differences
As reported by researchers, the main differences between Botox® and Dysport ® is the onset of action. Dysport ® tends to show effect sooner, working within 2-5 days. Botox® takes slightly longer, starting in 4-7 days. However, it is recommended that no additional units be added to the same treatment area within 2 weeks to avoid overtreatment.

Botox® monopolized the U.S market for many years until 2009, when Dysport® was approved by the FDA.  Dysport® however, was used in Europe many years before it was made available in the United States.

Longevity
The longevity of the product depends on many factors including individual metabolic rate, where athletes or physically active people will metabolize the product faster. Age is another important factor affecting longevity where younger people will have longer lasting results. Other factors include the number of receptors in your muscles, the freshness of the product, the number of units received, and the treated area. For instance, the product does not last as long in the forehead (which is a large flat muscle) or the masseter (which is the chewing muscle), but it will last longer in the crows feet muscles.

A study in 2012 from a Houston-based oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Charles, concluded that Botox® preceded by a course of Zytase and zinc supplement can increase the longevity of the product, prolonging the effect up to 30% longer. Regular treatments every 3-4 months, or before the previous treatment has entirely worn off, will provide longer lasting results. Using Retin-A or retinoid products might also help prolong the results of the treatment and it is also very useful to rejuvenate the skin.

How many units do you need? *Men may need more units. 

Other label and off label uses for Botox® and Dysport®

• Slim the lower face:
  Injecting the masseter muscle (chewing muscle) will slim down the muscle/lower face and provide a heart shaped face rather than a square shape. This treatment also will help with teeth grinding and Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ).
• Elevate the corner of the mouth:
  Injecting the oral depressor muscle will help elevate the corners of the mouth by one millimeter.
• Smooth neck vertical bands:
  Injecting the band muscles in the neck (platysma muscle) will help smooth out the muscle bands that get more pronounced when you say the letter “E”.
• Nefertiti lift:
  Subtle definition in the jawline can be achieved by injecting small amounts of botulism A (Botox ®/Dysport ®) along the upper platysma muscle which is the muscle that pulls down on the jawline area. Other areas are treated in conjunction with the Nefertiti lift including; the oral depressor, the masseter, and neck bands. The number of units depends on the degree of correction needed. The best candidates are people with initial signs of aging around the jawline and upper neck area. People with more advanced aging in the jawline, will likely need a non-surgical thread neck lift or surgical neck lift. The use of Juvéderm Voluma®, Restylane®, Radiesse®, Sculptra®, and Kybella® into the jawline will boost the volume and give a more youthful appearance.
• Smooth chin dimples:
  Prominent chin dimples appear similar to an orange peel, and a cleft chin is often viewed as a more masculine feature. Both are inherited features resulting from localization of the mentalis (chin muscle). Injecting botulism A (Botox ®/Dysport ®) will smooth the look of the chin and provide greater aesthetic appeal.

Hyperhidrosis/ excessive sweating:
Treating excessive sweating of the armpits, hands, feet, head, and face (craniofacial), and other relatively small body areas (such as under the breasts) with botulinum toxin A (Botox®/Dysport®) is FDA approved and safe. Its effectiveness for excessive sweating in the underarm is 82-87% and the results last for up to 4-12 months. The effectiveness for excessive sweating of the hands is 80-90% and may last up to 6-9 months. It is also very effective for head and face sweating but less effective in excessive feet sweating. Repeat injections may be necessary at intervals varying from 7 to 16 months.