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Dysport®

What It Is

  • What It Is
  • How It Works
  • Potential Side Effects
  • Better than Botox?
  • Reviews
  • In medical terms, Dysport is an acetylcholine release inhibitor and a neuromuscular blocking agent that helps minimize the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines.

    Here’s what that means in plain speech: Dysport is an injectable wrinkle relaxer — similar to Botox® — that helps get rid of those deep forehead folds that can make you look stern and angry 24/7.

    Dysport received the approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for wrinkle removal in spring 2009. (At that time, it also won FDA approval for the treatment of cervical dystonia, a neurological condition characterized by involuntary contractions of the neck muscles that cause abnormal movements and awkward posture of the neck and head.) Dysport is also used off-label for the treatment of other types of wrinkles, including the deep nasolabial folds between the nose and the mouth and "crow’s feet" lines around the eyes.

    How It Works

    As with Botox, the active ingredient in Dysport is botulinum neurotoxin type A. The toxin works by temporarily relaxing the actions of the muscles that underlie the targeted wrinkle. When the muscle relaxes, the wrinkle smoothes out.

    According to one study done by Dysport’s manufacturer, Ipsen Biopharm Ltd., 93 percent to 95 percent of people treated with the injectable reported an improvement in the appearance of their forehead wrinkles within 7 days.

    Potential Side Effects

    In the hands of a skilled practitioner, side effects are minimal. They may include some bruising and swelling at the injection site. In rare cases, the toxin spreads slightly beyond the treatment site, causing drooping of the eyebrow or eyelid, which can last for several weeks. The FDA also requires both Dysport and Botox carry warnings that if the toxin spreads to other parts of the body, the muscles used for swallowing or breathing could become paralyzed, with potentially fatal consequences. However, there are no reported cases of this happening with the small doses used in cosmetic skin treatments.In the hands of a skilled practitioner, side effects are minimal. They may include some bruising and swelling at the injection site. In rare cases, the toxin spreads slightly beyond the treatment site, causing drooping of the eyebrow or eyelid, which can last for several weeks. The FDA also requires both Dysport and Botox carry warnings that if the toxin spreads to other parts of the body, the muscles used for swallowing or breathing could become paralyzed, with potentially fatal consequences. However, there are no reported cases of this happening with the small doses used in cosmetic skin treatments.

    Better than Botox?

    Whether Dysport is better than Botox is a matter of debate. There are some indications that Dysport acts more quickly on wrinkles and lasts longer than Botox (possibly up to a year). On the other hand, Dysport is more likely to spread from the initial injection site, thus increasing the risk of drooping eyebrows and eyelids.

    As always, it’s important to consult with an experienced practitioner to determine which treatment is right for you.

    Dysport Injections Reviews

    Write a Review

     Not happy with Dysoport and my droopy eyelid.

    I have used botox for the last 4 years. Dysoport was offered to me as an alternative to botox. I [more]
    Lahaina, HI   Sep 10, 2011

     Dysport Worked Better for Me

    I have had Dysport injected into my forehead 3 times now and have never had a problem. To me, it [more]
    Atlanta, GA   Aug 23, 2011

     Love Dysport

    I had my first Dysport treatment 2 weeks ago and I am absolutely thrilled with the results. I chose [more]
    Jersey City, NJ   Apr 29, 2010

     Stick With Botox

    I have sucessfully used Botox for years. HOWEVER, MY FIRST INJECTION OF DYSPORT SPREAD AND NOW I [more]
    Encino, CA   Apr 22, 2010

     Dysport Worked Well

    I am 46 and I started to show age lines and wrinkles on my forehead and around my eyes. I wanted to [more]
    Hickory, NC   Apr 19, 2010

     Dysport-

    I have been a botox user for 3 years. No side effects, great results. I decided to give Dysport a [more]
    Tampa, FL   Mar 17, 2010
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