The Botox Battle: Botox vs. Dysport

The FDA recently approved a second injectable muscle relaxant called Dysport and, as of this month, it’s available at some doctor’s offices. But just because there is another option, is it the better option?

According to Dr. Steven Jepson with the The Spa at the Utah Dermatologic and Medical Procedures Clinic, not necessarily.


For those of you looking for the perfect answer for reducing your unwanted facial wrinkles, you now have a choice when it comes to wrinkle-relaxing injections. For the last 7 years, Botox Cosmetic has dominated the market here in the United States as the only FDA-approved injectable cosmetic muscle relaxant. Now there is an alternative. The FDA recently approved a second injectable muscle relaxant called Dysport; and as of this month, it is available at some doctor’s offices. But just because there is another option doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily the right option, and for now, I have decided not to offer it to my patients.

I’ve talked about Botox before on Studio 5. Remember that Botox Cosmetic is a purified protein designed to relax the muscle movements in the face that can cause wrinkles. It is the #1 cosmetic procedure in the world, has an excellent safety history, and continues to grow in popularity year after year. It is the most popular procedure at my office. The most commonly injected area is the “mad look” between the eyebrows. Relaxing this “scowl” can help you look more relaxed, refreshed, and younger. Other common wrinkly areas that can be relaxed include the forehead lines and the crows feet wrinkles around the eyes. Tiny needles are used, so the procedure is associated with very little discomfort. The effects of Botox last anywhere from 3-5 months and once it wears off, you can chose to continue injecting for ongoing effect, or allow your wrinkles return to their baseline.

Dysport is actually not new. It’s simply new to the United States. It has been available in Europe for over 10 years. It is very similar to Botox… but it has a tendency to spread further from the injection site than Botox does. What this means is that muscles you don’t want relaxed may relax due to “spread” of the Dysport. Therefore, with Dysport injections there is a higher risk for problems with over-relaxed droopiness and a higher incidence of the “plastic” too-relaxed look. This is the main reason I am holding off using it for now. In fact, even though Dysport has been available alongside Botox Cosmetic in Europe for over 10 years, Europeans still favor Botox 5 to 1 (85% of injections are done with Botox).

Allergan is celebrating the 7 year anniversary of Botox Cosmetic by offering a $50 Rebate on Botox injections for the next few weeks through select doctor’s offices. This means that now is a great time to try Botox. With the rebate, you can get rid of your “scowl” for only $150 at our office. And if you are already a regular Botoxer, then be sure to come in and take advantage of this great deal.


Steven Jepson M.D.

The Spa at the Utah Dermatologic and Medical Procedures Clinic

154 E. Myrtle Ave (5065 S) #102

(right across State Street from Murray Costco)

(801) 281-0022

www.UtahLaserMD.com

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