What is botox and dysport?
Botox is the brand name for a specific type of botulinum type A toxin, called onabotulinumtoxinA (ONA). Dysport is the brand name for another type A botulinum toxin called abobotulinumtoxinA (ABO). Botox was first approved for cosmetic use in 2002, and Dysport in 2009. Due to differences in manufacturing, Botox and Dysport differ in the potencies and onset times.
How do they work?
Both Botox and Dysport work by blocking Acetycholine (ACh) transmission at the muscle thereby minimizing contractions of the muscle and relaxing it (see the illustration below).
Source:http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1271380-overview
Common COSMETIC uses
-Treatment of fine lines and wrinkles:
Glabellar lines
Crow’s feet
Smoker’s lines around the lips
Forehead lines
- Treating a gummy smile: a condition where you have too much of your gums exposed when smiling. See our instagram for patient photos
-Eyebrow shaping: Botox/Dysport can be used to raise/reshape the eyebrows by injecting into the corrugators and the procerus. The medial eyebrow will lift giving a more youthful appearance.
-Dimpled chin
-Downturned smile
-Platysma muscle: Botox/Dysport can be used to treat very pronounced neck muscles (see photo below).
Platysma treatment. Source: Empire Medical Training
other uses
-Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating):
Botox can be micro-injected into areas where you experience excessive sweating. It has been shown to reduce sweating by 82-87%. Results start to be noticeable approximately 2 to 4 days after treatment with the full effect taking place within 2 weeks. Effects can last from 4 to 12 months.
-TMJ (Temporo-mandibular joint) disorder and jaw tension:
When the TMJ becomes overworked through excessive teeth grinding, people may experience severe tension headaches and/or pain in the jaw. Botox can be injected into the jaw to relieve the tension and relax the muscles and thereby relieving the headaches and and pain associated with jaw tension.
What can you expect during treatment?
Treatment is performed in the privacy and comfort of Alea Aesthetics Medical Spa and administered by a Board Certified nurse practitioner.
Our nurse practitioner gently administers small injections that are virtually painless into the targeted area
No anesthesia required but the area may be numbed with an ice pack or anesthetic cream prior to injection
Minimal, brief discomfort may be experienced
The procedure takes 10-30 minutes depending on the area being treated
Downtime
There is no downtime and patients can resume their daily activities right after treatment
How long does the treatment last?
With both Botox and Dysport, you can begin to see results in just a few days. Some people have experienced an earlier onset with Dysport. The full effect of Botox and Dysport can take a few weeks to see and the results can last a few months at a time. Results vary with each patient.
Cost
Dysport is $4/unit and Botox is $16/unit. However, because Dysport is less potent than Botox and you need more of it to get a similar effect, the total price of the treatment ends up being about the same. The ratio of Dysport to Botox used is about 3:1.
who is a candidate?
Both men and women over the age of 21 can be candidates for the conditions described above. Younger people can use Botox/Dysport injections as a preventative measure against deep wrinkles. By preventing muscle contractions early, wrinkles are unlikely to form.
Botox/dysport contraindications:
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
- You have a prior history of experience muscle weakness or an “at risk” medical condition (Myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome), which requires attention/monitoring.
-Concurrent use of agents interfering with neuromuscular transmission function
-Prior allergy to Botox or Dysport
-Infections or skin problems at injection site
*Always talk to us if you have any concerns before a procedure.
what is the difference between Botox and dysport?
There is no difference in their chemical composition. However, there is a difference in their potencies and onset. Also, Dysport can produce what’s known as a feathering effect. Meaning that it can spread out more than Botox from the injected area. On the one hand, that gives you a more natural look. On the other hand, it means that you can relax the muscle in areas a little beyond the injection site.