What are Dysport and Botox?

Dysport and Botox are purified proteins used to relax overactive muscles that cause frown lines and wrinkles.  Botox has been available since 2002 and has been the most popular cosmetic treatment in theUnited States. Dysport is a newer Wrinkle Relaxer approved by the FDA and has several additional advantages. 

How do these Wrinkle Relaxers work?

Overactive muscles can cause wrinkles, lines, and even asymmetry in facial features.  They can also cause spasms or tics, especially around the eyes.  Dysport and Botox relax those muscles in a very predictable and safe fashion and work by interfering with the nerve stimulation of those muscles.  That’s why these treatments have been so popular. 

What can Dysport and Botox do for me?

We often use these treatments in the upper face to treat the frown lines (glabella), crow’s feet and the horizontal forehead lines.  They can also be used to raise the brow (by relaxing the muscles that pull it down) and to widen the eye a little bit (by slightly relaxing the muscles that close it).  In the lower face we use these mainly to treat the following areas: bunny lines (horizontal across the bridge of the nose), smoker’s lines, to raise the corners of the mouth, and to relax overactive “cords” in the neck.

The following photos are unretouched examples of the results of Dysport and Botox treatments enjoyed by some of our patients at the Advanced Dermatology Center...

FROWN LINES
Before	After

FROWN LINES
Before	After

FROWN LINES
Before	After

CROWSFFEET
Before	After

CROWSFEET
Before	After

Our goal is to have a more relaxed and pleasant appearance and still be able to show expression.  Dysport or Botox can also be used to complement other cosmetic treatments.  For example, if we are doing laser resurfacing around the eyes for lines, then Botox helps the areas to heal over even more smoothly.

Who will administer my Dysport or Botox at the Advanced Dermatology Center?

Dr. Steinberg knows these treatments are important to you and therefore he specifically does all the injections himself. In our office these are not done by a nurse, physician’s assistant or anyone other than Dr. Steinberg.

How long can the results of my treatment last?

These have a good duration of effect and generally last about 3-4 months in most people.  We feel we’re retraining the muscles and that’s why initially it’s best to have treatment about every 3-4 months and not wait for all the prior muscle activity to return.  We’ve found the overactive muscles become more relaxed for longer periods with subsequent treatments.  In fact with subsequent treatments, you may need less medication in that area. After we’ve kept the muscles relaxed for a little while, we then spread out the treatments more.  So try to return initially to help retrain those muscles.

What are the differences between Dysport and Botox?

Botox was the first good wrinkle relaxer.  It is very safe and effective and is very popular.  Dysport is also FDA approved and acts in a similar fashion, but it is a newer medication and has several advantages.    It takes effect more quickly, within 1-3 days (vs. 3-7 for Botox) and some studies have shown it may last longer.  In addition our patients have greatly enjoyed the fact that it costs less than Botox.

What can I expect right after Dysport or Botox treatment?

We very rarely see a problem with these treatments.   After treatment it may help the effect to use those muscles a little more over the next 2-3 hours.  We try very hard to avoid bruising, but if you do get some, then it’s fine to use makeup to cover that.

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