Dysport Treatment

What is Dysport?

Dysport, also known as abobotulinumtoxinA, is an injectable neuromodulator designed to smooth fine lines and wrinkles for up to four months. Primarily FDA-approved for treating moderate to severe frown lines, often referred to as glabellar lines or “11s,” between the eyebrows, Dysport is also used off-label for various other treatment areas.

Off-label Dysport treatment areas

Dysport is often used off-label to smooth other expression lines, like crow’s-feet and forehead creases. Other common treatment areas include:

• Address hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) in the armpits and palms
• Smooth platysmal bands to enhance the appearance of the neck
• Target masseter muscles to alleviate bruxism (teeth grinding) or narrow facial width
• Diminish bunny lines on the bridge of the nose
• Lift the corners of the lip by targeting the depressor muscles of the outer lip
• Raise the tip of the nose by addressing the depressor muscle
• Smooth chin dimples by targeting the mentalis muscle
• Correct a gummy smile by treating the upper lip
• Dysport, a form of botulinum toxin type A, functions similarly to Botox by temporarily blocking nerve-muscle communication to prevent wrinkles and facial creases caused by muscle contractions.

Beyond its corrective effects, Dysport can also serve as a preventive measure, reducing muscle movement to deter the formation of future wrinkles and lines.

What are the pros and cons of Dysport treatments?

Pros

• Injections are swift, typically lasting between 10 to 20 minutes, making them convenient to incorporate into your daily schedule.
• Dysport may exhibit faster onset compared to other injectable neurotoxins, providing quicker results for some individuals.
• Dysport often offers a more natural appearance compared to other neuromodulators, enhancing facial expressions while reducing the visibility of wrinkles.
• Recent studies by Galderma suggest that Dysport may provide longer-lasting results, with effects lasting up to five months.
• As a temporary solution, if you’re dissatisfied with the outcomes, rest assured that the effects will gradually diminish within a few months, offering flexibility and peace of mind.

Cons

• Results are not permanent; to sustain the effects, approximately three treatments per year are necessary.
• For those apprehensive about needles, it’s worth noting that the needles used are typically among the smallest available, which can alleviate concerns about discomfort during the procedure.
• As with any injection, potential risks include pain, bleeding, bruising, redness, swelling, tenderness, and infection. However, these side effects are generally mild or rare.

How much does Dysport cost?

Is Dysport safe?

At Direct Aesthetics, Dysport treatments are administered by experienced injectors, ensuring safety and optimal results. While bruising can occasionally occur with any injection, you can reduce the risk by abstaining from unnecessary blood thinners, such as alcohol, fish oil, and certain medications like aspirin and Advil, for a week before your appointment. If you experience a headache post-treatment, ibuprofen or acetaminophen is generally safe to alleviate discomfort.

It’s important to note that individuals with myasthenia gravis (MG), a neurological condition affecting muscle strength, should avoid neuromodulators like Dysport. The combination of MG and neuromodulators can lead to exaggerated and prolonged muscle effects. If you have MG, consult with your provider about alternative treatments such as microneedling and dermal fillers.

What are the potential risks and side effects of Dysport treatments?

As per the manufacturer’s guidance, common side effects of Dysport may include bruising at the injection site, upper respiratory infections, headaches, sore throat, injection-site pain, eyelid swelling, and nausea.

Occasionally, temporary drooping of the brow and upper eyelid may occur, which typically resolves as the product dissipates. Over-the-counter Naphcon A eye drops can help alleviate droopy eyelids, but usage should not exceed 4-5 days.

At Direct Aesthetics, our expertise in facial anatomy enables us to accurately interpret dynamic muscle changes, ensuring optimal outcomes and minimizing complications.

It’s worth noting that Dysport may trigger allergic reactions in some individuals due to the presence of a cow’s milk protein. If you have a cow’s milk allergy, please consult with us before considering Dysport.

While rare, serious side effects of botulinum toxin injections can include muscle weakness or spasms, double or blurred vision, and difficulty speaking, swallowing, or breathing if the toxin spreads beyond the injection site. If you experience any unusual symptoms post-injection, please inform us promptly.

With our comprehensive understanding of facial anatomy, we prioritize precise injection placement to deliver natural-looking results and enhance your facial aesthetics.

What happens during a Dysport treatment?

Your injector will begin by cleansing the treatment area and may provide a numbing cream, although many individuals find it unnecessary.

Using a small needle, we’ll inject Dysport into the muscles just below your skin to induce relaxation.

You may experience slight pinching but typically no pain during the injections. To pinpoint specific areas for treatment, we may ask you to perform various facial expressions such as smiling, frowning, raising your eyebrows, or wrinkling your nose. The entire procedure typically lasts between 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the number of areas being treated.

What can you expect after receiving Dysport injections?

After the procedure, expect mild redness or swelling at the injection sites, with the possibility of light bruising lasting up to a week. However, you can resume your normal activities immediately.

First-time recipients may experience headaches, which typically dissipate within a few days and can be alleviated with ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

To minimize the risk of unintended effects, it’s advisable to refrain from exercise or lying flat for a few hours post-treatment. Additionally, avoid rubbing the injection sites.

When will you see results from a Dysport treatment?

The onset of Dysport’s effects varies, usually taking about a week to fully manifest, contingent on the injection site and dosage. For instance, a standard injection between the eyes, approximately 50 units, may yield visible results within 2 to 14 days post-injection.

However, the exact timing can vary depending on factors such as the individual’s metabolism and the specific areas treated. It’s common for patients to see improvements in their appearance during this time frame as the neuromodulator takes effect and relaxes the targeted muscles, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and lines.

How long does Dysport treatments last?

The duration of Dysport treatments can vary from person to person, but generally, the effects of Dysport gradually diminish over approximately four to six months. However, individual results may vary based on factors such as the dosage administered, the area treated, and the individual’s metabolism. Some people may experience longer-lasting results, while others may find that the effects wear off more quickly.

To sustain the desired results, we typically suggest returning for treatments two to three times per year.

Although all neuromodulators approved for cosmetic use in the U.S. are derived from botulinum toxin type A, each brand exhibits slight differences in their formulation, resulting in varying behaviors and effects.

Can you have Dysport and injectable dermal fillers at the same time?

At Direct Aesthetics, we offer personalized treatments that may include a combination of injectables along with Dysport. This approach, often referred to as a “liquid lift”, combines neuromodulators to relax frown lines with hyaluronic acid injectables such as Juvéderm and Restylane to lift the crease left behind.

Studies have shown that using hyaluronic acid injectables alongside neuromodulators can potentially extend the longevity of results.

For optimal outcomes, it’s advisable to stage the procedures if targeting the same area to prevent unintended spread of Dysport into surrounding muscles. For instance, treating dynamic lines with Dysport and static lines with a dermal filler should ideally be done in separate sessions.

Additionally, if considering microneedling alongside Dysport, we recommend waiting. This precaution allows adequate time for the neurotoxin to set in fully, and it prevents potential disruption of Dysport placement during microneedling.