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BOTOX® Cosmetic & Dysport®

Even if you follow an excellent skincare regimen, a lifetime of smiling, squinting, frowning, and making other expressions can result in dynamic wrinkles. These are the facial lines, especially in the forehead and around the eyes, that can cause you to appear tired or angry, even when that’s not how you feel. At Freeman Plastic Surgery, Dysport® and BOTOX® Cosmetic injections in Idaho Falls, ID, are a convenient way to reverse these wrinkles for a refreshed appearance that still looks natural.

Dr. Freeman offers a range of non-surgical treatments such as BOTOX for his patients from Pocatello and throughout Idaho and Wyoming. Request an appointment online to meet with us and discuss your options.

What Is BOTOX (and Dysport)?

BOTOX Cosmetic and its newer alternative Dysport are FDA-approved injectable products that contain a purified form of botulinum toxin type A. They temporarily suspend the contractions of facial muscles that create lines and wrinkles in the overlying skin called dynamic wrinkles. Without repeated muscle contractions these dynamic wrinkles gradually smooth away.

What’s Better: BOTOX or Dysport?

Many patients are curious about what sets these 2 products apart. Both products use the same active ingredient, botulinum toxin type A, to relax muscles and prevent wrinkles from forming. Their approach to achieving that goal differs slightly:

• Protein load: Unit for unit, Dysport has fewer active proteins than BOTOX, making it more resistant to the body’s natural antibodies.
• Consistency: Dysport is a bit thinner, which means it “spreads” more easily once injected. This sometimes makes it a good option for smoothing large areas of wrinkles, such as the forehead.
• Proven history: Dysport was introduced after BOTOX, which means that BOTOX has had more time to earn its place in the lexicon of cosmetic medicine.

How Do I Know Whether BOTOX or Dysport Is Best for Me?

During your consultation, we’ll discuss the areas you’d most like to treat and work together to determine which product suits you best. In some cases, we may recommend a combination of both products to treat different areas of your face.

How Do I Know If I Need BOTOX or Dermal Fillers?

While both BOTOX and dermal fillers are injectables used for facial rejuvenation, they have different purposes and work in different ways.

• BOTOX addresses concerns related to facial muscle contractions such as crow’s feet around the eyes and frown lines between the eyebrows.
• Dermal fillers add volume beneath the skin to smooth away smile lines around the mouth (nasolabial folds) and fill out the cheeks, hollows around the eyes and temples, and other areas. Fillers are also used to plump up and define the lips.

There is some overlap in what we can treat with BOTOX and fillers; for example, BOTOX can soften vertical lip lines and fillers can smooth them away. We will work with you to create a treatment plan that will best give you the improvements you want, which may include a combination of injectables.

Can I Combine Injectables With Other Procedures?

In some cases, Dr. Freeman recommends using BOTOX or Dysport to complement facial plastic surgery procedures, such as a lower facelift or eyelid surgery, to create a comprehensive facial rejuvenation. For other patients, BOTOX and Dysport can delay the need for plastic surgery, particularly for those who are concerned about early signs of aging. You may want to combine BOTOX or Dysport with dermal fillers as part of a liquid face lift to complete a comprehensive, non-surgical facial rejuvenation.

What to Expect During Your BOTOX or Dysport Procedure

Our team carefully plans BOTOX and Dysport treatments to ensure patients get the best results. These treatments are not one-size-fits-all procedures. The number and precise locations of the injections are based on your unique facial anatomy and your cosmetic goals.

BOTOX and Dysport treatments typically last for about 15 minutes, and patients return to their normal daily routines after leaving our office. Results take a few days to appear, although Dysport usually works more quickly than BOTOX.

How Long Before I’ll See My Results?

Results from BOTOX and Dysport injections appear gradually as creases in the skin smooth out. Here’s what to expect with each:

• BOTOX: Results begin in 3 to 5 days and improve for approximately 10 to 14 days.
• Dysport: Results begin in 1 to 2 days, with the full effect reached in about 10 to 14 days.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Common side effects include mild pain, swelling, and bruising at the injection sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does BOTOX hurt?

We first apply numbing cream to the skin and then perform the injections with a short, fine needle, so the treatments are very easy. Most patients say they don’t feel any discomfort.

Can BOTOX injections prevent wrinkles?

BOTOX and Dysport are most often used to reduce existing wrinkles that develop as we age. But preventive treatments are increasingly popular for patients – usually in their mid-to-late 20s – who want to delay the onset of wrinkles. Because these treatments work by temporarily immobilizing muscles, the dynamic wrinkles that develop from repeated muscle movement won’t form as quickly.

What’s the best age to start getting BOTOX?

The best age to start BOTOX is an individual decision. While the majority of our BOTOX patients are women between the ages of 35 and 50, we see plenty of men. More and more young people—in their 20s and 30s—are having BOTOX proactively. Learn more in this blog post.

Does Dysport or BOTOX last longer?

Dysport tends to last longer than BOTOX, although patient experiences vary. BOTOX results generally last 3 to 4 months, and Dysport results last up to 5 months. Maintenance treatments can keep your refreshed look going indefinitely. Each product has its advantages, so it comes down to personal preference as to which one a patient likes the most.

What are the primary differences between BOTOX and Dysport?

The main difference between the 2 products, besides Dysport showing results a few days sooner, is the depth of injections. Dysport is injected deeper than BOTOX, which results in it dispersing over a wider treatment area. This can be an advantage in some areas of the face but a disadvantage in other areas. That’s why it’s important to choose an injector with expertise using both treatments.

Are BOTOX and Dysport injections safe?

Both BOTOX and Dysport are FDA-approved and safe in the proper doses and in the hands of a skilled and credentialed aesthetic injector.

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