Almost everyone is familiar with Botox®, the world’s most popular minimally invasive, injectable treatment for fine lines and wrinkles. According to the latest statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, nearly 9.5 million Americans underwent treatment with Botox® and similar neuromodulating injectable therapies in 2023. Meanwhile, about 8.4 million Americans underwent anti-aging treatment with more than a dozen other injectable formulations.

With so many injectable treatments, how do you determine which one is right for you? If you’re trying to figure out this question in Tampa, Health + Glow Medical Spa can guide you. Health + Glow’s lead physician, Dr. Swapna M. Kallikadan, agrees that her Southwest Florida patients seek Botox® injections more than any other anti-aging injectable. However, she’s also seen a significant uptick in patient interest in Dysport® and Kybella® in the past year.

To assist you with your cosmetic injectable journey, Dr. Kallikadan will explain the differences between her practice’s top three injectables. She’ll start by detailing the subtle differences between the neuromodulating Botox and Dysport® injections to decrease fine lines and wrinkles, and then shift to the fat-dissolving magic of Kybella®.

Neuromodulate Those Wrinkles Away

Botox® and Dysport® use neuromodulation to reduce the appearance of forehead lines, glabellar frown lines, crow’s feet, and other facial lines and wrinkles. Both formulations contain botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) as the primary active ingredient, which acts as a neuromodulator by blocking muscle contraction nerve signals. Once injected, the neuromodulation relaxes the muscles under the skin, decreasing the depth and appearance of wrinkles and lines that formed due to repeated facial contractions.

This makes these injections highly effective at reducing the appearance of dynamic lines and wrinkles, and they can be used preventively to relax critical facial muscle nerves to hinder wrinkle development. Dysport® differs from Botox® in BoNT-A concentration and its supplemental protein blend that allows for greater diffusion and durability. While Botox® is most effective for treating smaller areas around the eyes, like crow’s feet and glabellar lines, Dysport® can be more effective at treating larger areas, like forehead lines. Dysport’s® also provides patients with a faster onset of anti-aging effects. Many Dysport® patients report a decrease in wrinkles and lines within 24 hours, while Botox® patients first experience results in three to five days.

Dysport® is also the go-to option for patients who develop an antibody to Botox®, which is marked by a decrease in its effectiveness with repeated treatments. However, Dysport’s® formulation includes lactose and cow’s milk protein, making it unsuitable for anyone with a milk allergy.

Streamline Your Aging Jawline with Kybella®

The anti-aging magic of Kybella® at Tampa’s Health + Glow med spa differs significantly from Botox® and Dysport® as it works to streamline the jawline and eliminate fat accumulation responsible for creating a double chin. While weight gain and genetics play a significant role in double-chin formation, aging influences it, too, as older skin loses elasticity, making submental (chin area) fat look more pronounced than it is. Additionally, older people with a double chin have difficulty reducing their appearance through diet and exercise due to the sagging of the submental skin.

Backed by outstanding, natural-looking results in clinical trials and FDA-approved in 2015, Kybella® is formulated with a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid. This acid is a component of bile that our bodies use to absorb fat during the digestive process. When injected into the chin, the acid helps break down the submental fat cells, which our bodies then expel as a waste product during the metabolic process.

Kybella® is proving to be an excellent alternative over neck lifts and micro-liposuction for streamlining jawlines and reducing the appearance of a double chin. Because the submental fat loss is metabolically driven, it can take up to six months to realize results, and many patients require more than one injection session to uncover the treatment’s full potential. However, the results are permanent!

Focus on Consultation and Personalization

When choosing a provider for your anti-aging injectable needs, opt for a licensed medical professional with cosmetic injectable training and experience. Your chosen provider should have a keen understanding of facial dynamics and a working knowledge of how each injectable formulation works. When discussing injectables with a potential provider, try to get a sense of their professionalism, expertise, and ability to personalize the injections to meet your aesthetic goals. A skilled provider should be able to answer all questions and detail how they can use a specific cosmetic injectable to meet your aesthetic goals. With extensive experience with cosmetic injectables in Tampa, we recommend you consult with Health + Glow.

Health + Glow Can Help Choose the Right Injectable for You

To learn more about the anti-aging benefits of Botox®, Dysport®, Kybella®, and other cosmetic injectables, schedule an appointment with Tampa, Florida’s Health + Glow today. In addition to cosmetic injectables, Health + Glow’s primary care, med spa, and IV Lounge facility offer a wide range of other health and beauty treatments. Please explore our website to discover our expertise in preventative medicine, body contouring, revitalizing IV drips, and anti-aging therapies.