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You may have seen information about Dysport in our social media and website and have wondered exactly what that is. Despite being FDA approved in 2009, Dysport is still not as well known as Botox outside of the aesthetics world. What is Dysport and what does it do? Dysport is in the same class of medications as Botox, Jeuveau, Xeomin and the newest, Daxxify. All of these products are used to temporarily reduce wrinkles in the skin. They do this by working in the muscles to stop the communication with nerves for a few months. At Solid Wellness and Aesthetics, Dysport is our neurotoxin, “tox”, product of choice, for many great reasons. Let’s compare Dysport with the more widely-known product, Botox. Efficacy: Both Dysport and Botox have been shown to have similar efficacy in clinical trials. They both work well! Longevity: In trials, both Dysport and Botox show results for an average of 3 months. This does not mean your skin is perfectly smooth for 3 months, but describes the time from the date of injection until full muscle movement is back. On average, this is 3 months. Often, movement will slowly start to return before this time. In my practice, I typically see Dysport average closer to 4 months before it is completely gone. Despite this, most client are back in my chair around 3 months when they start to see the lines returning. The longevity of these products is individual, as factors like the patient’s metabolism, dose administered and area treated can all vary. Onset (how quickly they work): This is one of the reasons we love Dysport so much. Dysport typically starts to work within 3-5 days of injection, while Botox will typically take 7-10 days to start to work. Safety: When administered by a skilled and experienced healthcare professional (RN, NP, MD or PA only) Dysport and Botox are both generally safe treatments. Side effects to both medications can include temporary redness, bruising, swelling, and mild pain at the injection site. Rarely, more serious adverse events such as infection or eyelid drooping can occur. It is essential to discuss the potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare provider before undergoing treatment. Dysport is made with a dairy protein and should not be used in clients with a history of a true dairy allergy (hives and wheezing type of allergy). Cost: Dysport and Botox are both typically priced per unit, although this can get confusing! Dysport requires somewhere around 2-2.5x times the amount of units as Botox, which is why it is less than half of the cost per unit. For example, Botox dosing between the eyes, “angry 11 lines”, is 20 units. For Dysport this are requires an average of 40-50 units. I recommend never choosing an injector based off the price of the product. You are not just paying for units of medication, you are also paying for results in the experience and education of the injector. Never go with the lowest bidder when injecting in your face! For us, Dysport is the clear winner over Botox with a quicker onset and longer duration in most clients. We offer free consultations to talk through your personal concerns and goals. Schedule with us to learn more about how aesthetic medications can help give you a refreshed look.