Botox and Dysport: Know the Differences and Treatment Options

Dr. Buddiga, allergy and immunology expert and founder of BUDDIGA Family Allergy | Skin | Immunology has dedicated his life to helping patients receive the skincare treatment they need. In his practice, he works closely with his patients to treat their underlying conditions and reduce the inflammation and skin damage that can create the appearance of premature aging. Every skin care treatment plan is personalized to meet the patient’s needs and developed with their happiness and wellbeing in mind. In many cases, facial injections are part of a comprehensive skin aesthetic treatment plan to safely and effectively reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Botox® and Dysport® are two common facial injections that Dr. Buddiga offers with incredible results. If you are ready to try a new skincare plan, learn more about these two treatments and what they mean for you.

What is Botox?

Botox Cosmetic is an FDA-approved drug that is used to treat fine lines and wrinkles on your face. This medication uses the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, otherwise known as the botulinum toxin. This treatment is proven to be safe and harnesses the positive chemicals of the toxin to treat fine lines and wrinkles. Botox blocks the nerve signals that control your facial muscles; when the muscles can’t contract because of the Botox, the lines on your face soften, creating a smoother look. This temporary paralysis of the muscle can also work preventatively to keep new or deeper wrinkles from forming.

To use Botox, your doctor will inject the medication in between your eyebrows to reduce the appearance of creases from frowning or alongside your eyes to reduce your crow’s feet. Botox injections are used to treat fine lines in the forehead, as well as lines around the nose, mouth, and chin.

Botox has been used as an FDA-approved injectable treatment since 1989. Today, the injections are sold in 95 countries and there have been more than 100 million vials sold since 2002. Doctors continue to study the effectiveness of Botox for other treatments and there are more than 528 peer-review articles on Botox Cosmetic alone.

What is Dysport?

Dysport is an alternative brand that also uses the bacterium Clostridium botulinum to treat fine lines and wrinkles. The medication is injected in the same manner and drives similar results as a standard Botox session. Dysport is a newer medication on the market and has gained popularity over the years from patients.

The main difference between Dysport and Botox is that Dysport is approved to treat glabellar lines or the lines that form in between your eyebrows. If you have significant frown lines on your forehead, you may consider a Dysport treatment. Botox, meanwhile, can be used to treat wrinkles across your entire face – including lines from laughing or frowning. This is a more diverse injection option for patients who want to address multiple signs of aging.

When you meet with Dr. Buddiga, he will go over the two options, Botox and Dysport, to determine which is the best one for your specific needs.

What Happens During Botox or Dysport Treatment?

If you are interested in reducing the fine lines and wrinkles around your face, consider scheduling a Botox or Dysport consultation with Dr. Buddiga. In his in-depth consultation, Dr. Buddiga will take into consideration your full medical picture to put together the right plan for your specific needs, including reducing the signs of skin damage, aging, and other concerns you may have.

Everyone’s face is different, which means no two injection plans will be the same. If facial injections are part of your treatment plan, Dr. Buddiga, he may recommend focusing on a specific area or opting for a general skincare plan using Botox.

Once you and Dr. Buddiga have agreed on a treatment plan, he will administer your injections. Botox and Dysport injections are considered non-invasive procedures and only take a few minutes to complete. You won’t need anesthesia and should only feel minor pricks during the injection process.

Once the injections are complete, you can return home and wait for the results to set in.   

Do Botox or Dysport Injections Require Aftercare?

Facial injections require minimal aftercare, which means you will be able to resume your daily activities as normal. You shouldn’t have to take off work to receive treatment; however, there are some limits within the first few days of your Botox or Dysport injections to keep in mind.

• Sit upright for at least four hours after the injection.
• Stay out of the sun and hot areas (including tanning beds and hot tubs) for at least four hours after treatment.
• Avoid rubbing the injection site for 24 hours to avoid spreading the Botox treatment to another area. Some doctors recommend avoiding touching your face for up to three days.
• Do not use makeup products before or after an injection. Applying and removing makeup will cause you to rub your face.
• Avoid exercise for the day following injection.
• It is safe to do facial exercises like raising your eyebrows, frowning, or smiling. This might speed up the results.
• Avoid or reduce your alcohol consumption for a week after your Botox or Dysport injections.

Most of the aftercare that comes with Botox or Dysport treatments immediately follow the injections or apply for the first 24 hours. You should be able to return to your normal activities fully within a day or two.   

How Long Will it Take to See Results?

Neither Botox nor Dysport injections offer immediate results, as it takes a few days for the effects of the product to be visible, and it may take a few days or up to a week for you to start to notice changes to your face. Botox can take up to 14 days to take full effect, even though most people start to notice the lessening of fine lines and wrinkles sooner.

Some patients report seeing faster results with Dysport, where the reduction of fine lines can become noticeable within two or three days.

Every patient has different experiences. You may start to notice the difference in your face sooner or later than someone you know who has received the same injections.

How Long Will My Botox or Dysport Injections Last?

Both Botox and Dysport injections last between three to four months, though the patient experience may vary. There is no way to extend the length of your treatment and your fine lines may start to appear again over time.

Many patients receive Botox or Dysport treatments twice a year to remove their fine lines and wrinkles. This gives the injections enough time to fully wear off. However, some people prefer to receive treatment every four months as soon as they start to notice the return of their facial lines.

In some cases, your Botox or Dysport treatment may last longer if you have been receiving these injections for a long time. They may last up to six months before your fine lines start to appear again.

Ask Dr. Buddiga About Botox and Dysport

We want all of our patients to feel comfortable and excited about their skincare treatment plans! If you are interested in Botox or Dysport treatments, reach out to us to set up a consultation with Dr. Buddiga. Our team will set up a preliminary consultation to review your options and address any concerns you have. You can then take as much time as you need to think about whether these injections are right for you or immediately move ahead with an injection plan. The choice is yours, and we are here to guide and support you in every facet of your wellness journey!

Learn more about Dr. Buddiga, the founder of BUDDIGA Family Allergy | Skin | Immunology, so you can feel confident in the expertise of the doctor who will be treating you.