BOTOX® Versus Dysport®: Differences and Similarities

Before diving into the similarities and differences between the popular injectables BOTOX® and Dysport®, as well as exploring how these neuromodulators work, it’s important to understand the types of wrinkles that develop on the face.

First, there are dynamic wrinkles. These form as people use their facial muscles to make expressions. For example, when someone smiles, dynamic wrinkles appear more prominently on around the mouth. When someone is sad and frowns, vertical lines become more noticeable between the eyebrows. Younger skin springs back to its original position after being pulled into an expression, but as skin ages, it loses its ability to “bounce back” as effectively. As expressions continue, the lines they cause are gradually etched deeper and deeper into the skin.

Today, there are many solutions for achieving a more youthful look, with the most popular involving the use of neuromodulators. These injectables have botulinum toxin as an active ingredient, with two of the most commonly used brands being BOTOX® and Dysport®. Both neuromodulators work by interrupting the signals that trigger muscle movement, which in turn prevents the associated wrinkles from showing.

It is important to note that neuromodulators do not fill wrinkles, which is a treatment limited to dermal fillers designed to address what are known as “static wrinkles” that form as collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin levels drop in the skin over time.

Once a neuromodulator is injected into the facial muscle beneath the skin, the muscle gradually relaxes, leading to a smoother look on the surface. When it comes to Dysport® and BOTOX®, Philadelphia plastic surgeon Dr. Scott D. Chapin and his team regularly use these injectable neuromodulators to reduce the look of dynamic and static wrinkles—answering questions from patients who want to know what makes the two different options unique.

BOTOX® and Dysport® Similarities

The main similarity that BOTOX® and Dysport® share is their active ingredient: a purified form of botulinum toxin. The fact that they can cause muscles to relax makes them ideal for smoothing out such facial wrinkles as crow’s feet (lateral canthal lines around eyes) and horizontal forehead lines that result from raised eyebrows. Both formulas are injectable, with results that appear soon after a treatment and last for months after. Wrinkles begin to appear again as their effects wear off. Patients who choose either will find that muscle activity returns gradually, until full motion is restored after a few months. Regular visits to a licensed and experienced injector, with consistent injectable sessions every six months or so, can allow men and women alike to maintain positive results.

BOTOX® and Dysport® Differences

There are specific formula characteristics that separate BOTOX® and Dysport®. One main difference is the dilution level. Dysport® has a higher dilution, which means a patient who is used to BOTOX® would most likely need more units of Dysport® to achieve the same effects.  Typically, unit prices for Dysport® tend to be cheaper in comparison to BOTOX®, but the final cost may be the same to get a similar treatment due to the dilution differences.

Another primary difference is the molecular size between the two. In comparison to BOTOX®, Dysport® contains smaller molecules, which proves to be beneficial in certain circumstances. The smaller molecules in Dysport® work much faster and spread to a larger area. This higher diffusion rate compared to BOTOX® is ideal for patients whose wrinkles are more spread out, and who want to see results sooner than they would otherwise.

Of course, proper dosage and placement are critical in either case.

To learn more about Chapin Aesthetics and the available BOTOX® and Dysport® treatments, contact Dr. Scott D. Chapin and his team for answers. Call 267-880-0810 or visit www.drchapin.com.