What's the Difference Between Botox and Dysport?

Botox and Dysport are both neuromodulators, a class of injectable treatments that temporarily relax muscles and improve the look of the skin above them. Both contain a purified form of botulinum toxin, a protein that doctors have studied for its medical and cosmetic uses since the 1970s. Both are FDA-approved to improve the appearance of wrinkles and unwanted facial lines.

They also work in the same way. Each one blocks the communication between nerve endings and the muscles around them, which weakens the muscle and stops it from contracting as strongly. This matters because many wrinkles are dynamic, meaning they appear only when you make an expression, such as frowning or squinting. Over time, repeated expressions can turn dynamic wrinkles into static ones that stay visible even when your face is at rest. Relaxing the muscle softens the lines now and helps prevent them from deepening.

Botox and Dysport are not the only options. Xeomin and Jeuveau work in a similar way with different formulations, and Dr. Kiripolsky offers both. This guide focuses on the two most requested.

Onset is one of the clearest differences. Dysport results are usually visible within a couple of days. Botox takes a little longer, with results gradually taking hold within a week or less.

For most people the gap is small, and it only matters if you are treating before a specific event. If you have a wedding or photo shoot on the calendar, plan your appointment at least two weeks beforehand with either product, which leaves time for the full effect and a touch-up if needed.

Both last about the same length of time. After one session, Botox results typically last 3 to 4 months, and they can last up to 5 months. Dysport results also last between 3 and 4 months. Your own metabolism, the muscles treated, and the dose you receive can all shift those numbers a little.

Both also hold up in head-to-head testing. In a phase 3 trial, more than 94 percent of patients on either product were rated as responders at day 29.

No, and this is the most common source of confusion. A dose of Botox is measured in Botox units, and a dose of Dysport is measured in Dysport units. According to the manufacturers, the units of one botulinum toxin are not interchangeable with, and cannot be directly converted into, the units of another.

That means you should never compare a quoted number of Dysport units with a number of Botox units and conclude one product is more or less expensive or potent. The right dose for you depends on the product, the muscle, the strength of your muscle, and the result you want, and an experienced injector decides it. Ask your injector how the treatment plan fits your face, not for the lowest number.

Both are commonly used on the lines that form with expression.

• Frown lines between the eyebrows, often called "11 lines."
• Horizontal forehead lines.
• Crow's feet around the eyes.

Dr. Monika Kiripolsky uses Botox for a wider range of cosmetic and medical purposes as well. These include the "lip flip," which defines the upper lip, treatment of enlarged masseter muscles that cause jaw tension and a squared face, and "trap tox," which targets the trapezius to relieve neck pain and slim the neck. She can also soften neck banding and use strategic placement to lift the lower face by relaxing the platysma muscle that pulls it downward. Botulinum toxin is also used outside cosmetics, for conditions such as chronic migraines, muscle spasms, and excessive sweating.

If you want to see how each product is used at the practice, her pages on Botox and Dysport explain the details.

For most patients, the side effects of the two are similar and mild. They include temporary swelling, pain, or bruising where the needle went in. These effects fade within days, and the risk goes down when a well-trained physician performs the injections.

After Botox, Dr. Kiripolsky asks patients to stay upright and avoid lying down for at least 4 hours and to postpone workouts during that time. This helps keep the medication from migrating to nearby muscles and causing unwanted effects. Ask your injector for specific aftercare instructions for whichever product you receive.

Placement and dose decide whether a result looks natural or frozen, and mistakes are visible. When the wrong amount goes into the wrong location, you can end up with a heavy brow, an uneven smile, or an expression that looks off. Dr. Kiripolsky routinely corrects Botox that other providers placed incorrectly.

Understanding the muscles makes the difference. Depressor muscles, which pull downward, tend to lift the skin above them when treated. Elevator muscles need more caution, because they can sag if injected improperly. A forehead treated too heavily can drop the brow. An injector who studies your expressions and facial anatomy before the first injection is working for your result, not just delivering a product.

Dr. Kiripolsky has published and presented research on botulinum toxins, including studies of Dysport. Her work includes a retrospective analysis comparing Dysport with Botox in the treatment of dynamic wrinkles, and an evaluation of treating lateral periocular lines through a single injection point. That research background shapes how she approaches the choice between products. You can see injectable results in the practice's Botox before-and-after gallery.

Preparation is simple. Dr. Kiripolsky reviews your medical history and asks you to stop medications and supplements with blood-thinning effects beforehand, since they can cause bruising at the injection sites. Arrive with a clean face and no makeup or skincare products.

During the visit, your skin is cleansed and you are asked to make a series of expressions, such as frowning, raising your brows, and squinting. These show her where each muscle sits and which wrinkles you want to soften. She marks the injection points and treats them one at a time, using the dose and depth that suit each muscle. The whole procedure takes about 20 minutes, and you can return to normal activities afterward with a few precautions.

Start with the injector, then the product. Here is a practical way to decide.

• If you have had good results with one product, there is little reason to switch.
• If you are new to neuromodulators, either is a reasonable starting point, and your doctor can recommend one based on your muscle strength and the areas you want treated.
• If results wore off sooner than you hoped, or you did not like how a product looked, tell your injector. Some patients try the other product and prefer it, and switching is safe when a physician guides it.

At your consultation, Dr. Kiripolsky listens to your concerns and goals before recommending a plan. If a different treatment, such as a dermal filler, would serve you better, she will say so. If you are looking for Botox in Beverly Hills or Dysport in Beverly Hills, a consultation lets you discuss both.

Dr. Kiripolsky sees patients in Beverly Hills and Newport Beach, and you can request an appointment to talk through which product suits you.