BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport®

BOTOX Cosmetic® and Dysport® work by decreasing the activity of muscles which contract the skin, producing wrinkles. The botulinum protein, following injection into your skin and muscle, is absorbed by nerve endings where it blocks the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This prevents the nerve impulse from activating the muscle. The injected muscles can no longer contract as forcefully, which causes the wrinkles to relax and soften.

After several months, the nerve terminals recover, begin releasing acetylcholine again and muscle function completely recovers. Think of it like unplugging your home telephone temporarily – the phone no longer rings because it doesn’t receive a signal.

BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport® have been FDA-approved for the treatment of:

• Forehead wrinkles and creases
• Frown lines ( wrinkles between the eyebrows)
• Crow’s feet (wrinkles around the eyes)
• Marionette lines (wrinkles around the mouth)
• and there are additional “off-label” uses, as well.

During your initial consultation at our Orlando area office, we will assess your problem areas to help you decide which would benefit most from this treatment.

The similarities of Dysport® and BOTOX Cosmetic® include:

• Both of these products are made of a sterile purified protein obtained from the same bacteria.
• Both are injected with a fine needle into muscles under the skin.
• Both relax the muscles by stopping the signals from the nerve to the muscle.
• Both have a temporary effect, lasting about three months.
• Both show noticeable effects three to five days after injection.
• Both have been used in Europe for medical purposes since 1992 and for cosmetic purposes for more than a decade.
• Both are FDA approved for medical and cosmetic use.
• Dysport® cosmetic is exactly the same product as Dysport® medical, only they are labeled differently.
• BOTOX Cosmetic® is exactly the same product as BOTOX® medical, only they are labeled differently.

Differences between Dysport® and BOTOX Cosmetic® include:

• Dysport® uses smaller molecules than BOTOX Cosmetic®.
• Dysport® diffuses and spreads a little more than BOTOX Cosmetic®.
• Dysport® and BOTOX Cosmetic® are measured differently.
• The price per unit of Dysport® is one third that of a unit of BOTOX Cosmetic®. However, in order to obtain the same results as one unit of BOTOX Cosmetic®, two and a half to three units of Dysport® must be used.
• Dysport® claims that its effects are noticeable one to two days earlier than that of BOTOX Cosmetic®.
• Dysport® claims that its effects last slightly longer.

As with any product, Dr. Fiala knows that you desire an affordable and effective product that poses minimal to no risks. The risks and effects of both products are similar and in a professional and medical setting such as Fiala Aesthetics Medical Spa, both BOTOX Cosmetic® and Dysport® are injected with your comfort and safety in mind.

Results vary, but in some cases, you may see a marked improvement within three to ten days. Lines continue to improve for up to a month after treatment, and results can last for up to six months. In clinical trials, nearly 90% of men and women rated the improvement in their appearance as being significantly better one month after treatment.

The beauty of a BOTOX Cosmetic®/Dysport® treatment is that it is a simple, 10-minute, non-surgical process, the are only minimal risks, and there is little to no recovery time. Although the results are visible, a treatment with BOTOX Cosmetic®/Dysport® will not radically change your facial appearance. The muscle activity that causes frown lines between the brows is simply reduced, so you can still frown, squint, purse or look surprised, but without the wrinkles and creases. If you do not continue treatments, the lines will gradually look like they did before treatment.

BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport® may take two to three weeks to reach their peak.  Dysport starts to show its effects a little sooner, so if time is short, it might be the treatment to choose.

Results from BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport® typically last for three to four months. During your initial consultation, we can discuss how best to maintain results and how often you may need to return for touch-ups.  Men may require a higher dose.

BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport® are injections, so there is a small sting on injection.  If you have difficulties with needles or would like to discuss topical numbing or use of laughing gas (nitrous oxide), we can cover options during your initial consultation.

The treatment takes 10-15 minutes and a majority of patients are able to leave our office and resume all normal activities right away. Some redness in the injection area may be present for a few days. We will provide aftercare instructions that can help speed this process.

BOTOX® Cosmetic is the most popular cosmetic treatment in the United States, with more than 7 million people seeking treatment yearly. FDA approved for cosmetic use since 2002, BOTOX® Cosmetic has an exceptionally low rate of complications.

There have been numerous studies and trials that have demonstrated Dysport’s® effectiveness and safety. In one study published in the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 87% of participants who were given Dysport® reported a reduction in wrinkles. The same study found that Dysport® took effect in as little as 24 hours with the average time needed for visible results to be approximately four days. More than two million treatments of Dysport® have been administered worldwide, representing more than 840,000 patient-years of treatment.

These treatments are not recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing or for people with allergies to any of the ingredients. Patients with neurological disorders including ALS, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, and Myasthenia Gravis may not be good candidates for these treatments.

At Fiala Aesthetics, your safety is one of our central concerns. We will discuss all possible complications and review your medical history to help make sure you are a good candidate for this treatment. If you are not, other med spa options may be available to help you reach your goals.

Many BOTOX® Cosmetic/Dysport® treatments can be performed without any discomfort, but you may experience a mild sting and possibly some temporary swelling and redness at the site of the injections. Sometimes, bruising may occur and can last for a few days to a couple of weeks.

Please refrain from using aspirin, ibuprofen, Aleve, and alcohol before and after your treatment. After your BOTOX® Cosmetic/Dysport® treatment, you can return to your normal routine immediately but you will be advised to avoid alcohol and sun exposure for the first 24 hours. The results begin to take effect four to ten days after your visit and last from four to six months.

The most common side effects following BOTOX Cosmetic®/Dysport® injections include temporary eyelid droop, nausea, localized pain, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, and redness.

Other side effects may include numbness or a feeling of burning around the injection site. Simply placing ice before and after your procedure in the treated area can alleviate most of these issues and any complications are normally temporary and usually disappear in a short period of time. You will receive more information and a complete copy of safety information during your initial consultation.

You should not receive BOTOX® Cosmetic/Dysport® if you are allergic to cow’s milk protein, if you have ever had an allergic reaction to another botulinum toxin product, or if you have an infection at the site of the desired treatment. Patients with certain neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome should not receive BOTOX® Cosmetic/Dysport®. This should be discussed with Dr. Fiala during your consultation. Not everyone is a candidate for this treatment.

BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport® have no impact on sensory nerves. You will not go numb after treatment. Nor will treatment impact your ability to move your face. BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport® reduce muscle tension, they do not eliminate the ability to move.

BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport® are neuromodulators, not dermal fillers. Dermal fillers contain ingredients that add volume to the skin. Neuromodulators simply reduce muscle tension. We offer both types of nonsurgical facial rejuvenation at Fiala Aesthetics and would be happy to discuss the benefits and limitations of each during your initial consultation.

If you are ready to schedule your consultation at our Altamonte Springs office, please call 407-339-3222 today. Fiala Aesthetics serves Winter Park, Maitland, Lake Mary, and all surrounding areas of Florida.