We recently used our blog to provide our Tampa, Florida-area clients with a guide to understanding Botox®. While the blog post was well received and seemed to spur an increased client interest in the anti-aging treatment, it also led to some client questions. In particular, several clients asked what differentiates Botox® from other neuromodulator treatments like Dysport®, Jeuveau®, and Xeomin®.

Good question, and while you can undoubtedly find Xeomin®, Jeuveau®, and Dysport® in Tampa, Health + Glow currently only offers its clients Dysport® as a Botox® alternative. Health + Glow’s lead physician, Dr. Swapna M. Kallikadan, is not opposed to providing the other two. Instead, the safety, efficacy, and popularity of Botox® and Dysport® are such that she has seen no need to expand her practice’s line of neuromodulating wrinkle-smoothing treatments. Additionally, Dysport® offers the fastest results of all the neuromodulators. With this in mind, let’s sort out the subtle differences between Dysport® and Botox®.

Neuromodulating Away the Wrinkles

Botox®, Dysport®, and the other referenced treatments are minimally invasive, injectable cosmetic treatments that reduce the appearance of forehead lines, glabellar frown lines, crow’s feet, and other facial lines and wrinkles. Collectively, they are the most commonly performed non-invasive aesthetic treatment in the U.S., with almost 9 million procedures performed in 2022, according to the most recent statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Because they all rely on botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) as the primary active ingredient, they are also often all referred to as types of Botox, as it was the first to receive FDA clearance for cosmetic use.

BoNT-A acts as a neuromodulator by blocking nerves that signal muscle contraction. After injection, the neuromodulation causes muscles under the skin to relax, decreasing the depth and appearance of wrinkles and lines that have formed mainly due to muscle contraction. This makes these treatments optimal for addressing dynamic wrinkles and lines that form due to repeated facial expressions. In fact, neuromodulation can be used as a preventive measure by relaxing critical facial muscle nerves to forestall wrinkle development.

What Differentiates the Neuromodulators?

With all these injectables relying on BoNT-A as the primary active ingredient, what sets them apart—how does Dysport® differ from Botox®? Each of the referenced neuromodulator formulations contains varying BoNT-A concentrations, with some including supplemental protein blends that affect the product’s diffusion, effectiveness, and durability.

Overall, the difference between the formulations is quite subtle. All can effectively decrease the appearance of dynamically induced forehead lines, glabellar frown lines, crow’s feet, and, to a lesser extent, some static wrinkles and lines. However, the subtle distinctions between the formulations can translate into subtle differences in effectiveness for each patient. While Botox® might be the perfect option to treat one patient’s deep glabellar lines, Dysport® might be the better option for easing another patient’s moderate glabellar lines. Dysport® can also prove to be the perfect option for those experiencing a decline in efficacy from repeated Botox® injections.

With this in mind, your most important consideration should be picking the medical professional responsible for smoothing your wrinkles and lines. You want to choose an experienced professional who understands facial dynamics and has working knowledge of how the different neuromodulators work. With extensive wrinkle-smoothing experience injecting Botox® and Dysport® in Tampa, we suggest you consult with Health + Glow.

Botox® Verus Dysport®

From a formulation standpoint, the most significant differences between Botox® and Dysport® are the BoNT-A concentrations and supplemental protein blends. The Botox® BoNT-A concentration is slightly more potent than that used in Dysport®. While this suggests the potential for Dysport® having less efficacy, that can be resolved using marginally more. As for the supplemental protein blend, the one used in Dysport® has a lower molecular weight than that used in Botox®.

So, what do these differences mean in relation to results, you ask?

Because of the protein blend’s lowered molecular weight, Dysport® has a much higher diffusion rate through tissues, allowing it to spread evenly across a broader area. This makes it ideal for use on larger areas, like the forehead, where it often works in ways that allow for more natural movement than Botox®. On the other hand, this factor makes it less ideal than Botox® for treating smaller areas, like crow’s feet, where it might be more prone to restricting movement.

The speed at which results become noticeable is another significant difference between Botox® and Dysport®. The latter’s formulation kicks in quickly, with many patients reporting a decrease in wrinkles and lines within 24 hours. Botox® patients can take from three to five days to start noticing results.

The longevity of both formulations is generally considered roughly equal—three to four months—and primarily depends on a patient’s metabolism in either case. Other differences of note are that some patients develop an antibody to the Botox® protein blend, which decreases efficacy with repeated treatments. Dysport’s® blend includes lactose and cow’s milk protein, which makes it unsuitable for those with milk allergies.

Health + Glow Can Help Choose Which One’s Right for You

To learn more about the age-defying properties of Botox® and Dysport®, and determine which one will deliver the wrinkle-smoothing results you seek, schedule an appointment with Tampa, Florida’s Health + Glow today. Along with these neuromodulating facial treatments, 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.