Dysport® was approved for use as a wrinkle treatment in early 2009 by the Food and Drug Administration. Like BOTOX®, Dysport® is made from Clostridium botulinim toxin type A, and temporarily reduces the appearance of wrinkles by restricting muscle actions that cause creasing and frown lines.

Dysport® also is administered via injection at the site of wrinkles and multiple treatments usually are recommended for maximum effect.

At the UPMC Cosmetic Surgery and Skin Health Center, both BOTOX® and Dysport® injections are administered and monitored by the physician. Dysport is approximately 1/3 the cost of Botox; however, it is also 1/3 the strength. This means you will need about three times as many units of Dysport to get the same results as you would with one unit of BOTOX. As a result, the cost of Dysport treatment will likely end up being similar to Botox.

One 10-minute treatment—a few tiny injections—and within days there's a noticeable improvement in moderate to severe frown lines between the brows, which can last from 4-6 months. Results may vary with continued use.

Dysport Vs. BOTOX

Like BOTOX Cosmetic, Dysport is an injectable form of botulinum toxin Type A. Your plastic surgery specialist will inject small amounts of the toxin into specific wrinkle-causing muscles, paralyzing them. Exactly how the two wrinkle-relaxers differ is not fully understood. Initial reports suggest that Dysport may act quicker. BOTOX takes three to five days to work, while Dysport seems to work within one to two days.

In some cases, wrinkles begin to fade as soon as 24 hours after receiving Dysport treatment. This rapid response could be the deciding factor for a woman or man looking to improve their appearance before a big social event or meeting.

What's more, the BOTOX alternative may last longer than its predecessor. Some studies have shown that Dysport injections may keep wrinkles at bay for six months to one year, as opposed to the approximate three month timeframe associated with BOTOX. There may be some downsides to Dysport. BOTOX manufacturer Allergan points out that Dysport may be more likely to cause antibody formation. The body develops antibodies when it recognizes a foreign invader and attacks it. If you develop antibodies to Dysport, your body neutralizes the toxin, potentially preventing it from working.

Click on the image to view before and after photos of Dysport.

Cervical Dystonia DYSPORT™

(abobotulinumtoxinA) is an acetylcholine release inhibitor and a neuromuscular blocking agent indicated for the treatment of adults with cervical dystonia to reduce the severity of abnormal head position and neck pain in both toxin-naïve and previously treated patients.