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What is Dysport?

Dysport is a botulinum toxin injection used to temporarily reduce the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults. These lines become more prominent with frowning, squinting, or even during periods of relaxation over time. During a Complimentary Consultation, your skincare consultant will help distinguish between mild and moderate wrinkles of this type. When administered by a qualified healthcare professional, Dysport can effectively minimize the appearance of these wrinkles.

Who is Eligible for Dysport Treatment?

Dysport is intended for healthy adults aged 18 and over with moderate to severe facial lines. Your skincare consultant will review your medical history and ask relevant questions to determine your suitability for the treatment. Dysport may also be used clinically to treat:

  • Muscle spasms and stiffness in arms, hands, legs, and feet not caused by cerebral palsy.
  • Cervical dystonia, which causes abnormal head positions and neck pain.

Who is Ineligible for Dysport Treatment?

You may not be a candidate for Dysport if you:

  • Are pregnant.
  • Have a history of sensitivity to botulinum toxin.
  • Have a milk allergy.
  • Have a skin disorder.
  • Have thick skin, as determined by your doctor.
  • Are over 65 years old.
  • Take certain medications, including blood thinners and muscle relaxers.

Dysport may also interact with medications affecting your muscles, such as anticholinergics used for Parkinson’s disease. Always check with your skincare consultant before stopping any medication and inform them of all medications and supplements you take.

How is Dysport Administered?

Dysport is administered through injections directly into the targeted muscles. The process includes:

  1. Consultation: A preliminary consultation with a healthcare provider or skincare consultant to assess your medical history, discuss your goals, and determine if Dysport is right for you.
  2. Preparation: The treatment area is cleaned with an antiseptic solution. A topical anesthetic may be applied, though it’s often unnecessary as the injections are typically well-tolerated.
  3. Injection: Using a fine needle, small amounts of Dysport are injected into the targeted muscles. The number of injections and the amount used depend on the severity of the wrinkles and the desired outcome. Multiple injections are usually administered in one session.

Post-Treatment Care

After the injections, you might experience mild discomfort, redness, or swelling at the injection sites. These side effects are temporary and typically resolve within a few days. Your skincare consultant may advise avoiding strenuous activities and certain medications for a short period following the treatment.

Expected Results from Dysport Treatment

Typical outcomes from Dysport treatment include:

  1. Reduced Wrinkles: Dysport temporarily relaxes the muscles that cause wrinkles, resulting in smoother skin and reduced frown lines.
  2. Natural-Looking Results: The injections provide natural-looking outcomes, avoiding the frozen appearance sometimes associated with older forms of botulinum toxin injections.
  3. Gradual Improvement: While some results may be noticeable within a few days, full effects usually take about 7 to 10 days, with continued improvement for up to two weeks.
  4. Duration of Results: Results typically last about 3 to 4 months, though this can vary. Some individuals may experience longer-lasting results with repeated treatments.
  5. Minimal Downtime: Dysport injections are minimally invasive and typically require no downtime. Normal activities can usually be resumed immediately after treatment, though strenuous exercise and certain medications should be avoided for the first 24 hours to minimize complications.
  6. Possible Side Effects: These include bruising, swelling, redness at the injection site, headache, and temporary eyelid drooping, all of which are usually mild and temporary.
  7. Individual Variability: Results can vary based on factors such as the severity of the frown lines, skin type, and individual response to the treatment.

Potential Side Effects of Dysport

Common side effects of Dysport include:

  1. Injection site reactions: Redness, bruising, swelling, and pain, which are usually temporary.
  2. Muscle weakness: Temporary weakness in nearby muscles, potentially causing drooping eyelids, uneven smiles, or difficulty swallowing or speaking.
  3. Headache: Typically mild and temporary.
  4. Flu-like symptoms: Fatigue, muscle pain, and other flu-like symptoms, which usually resolve within a few days.
  5. Allergic reactions: Rare, but may include itching, rash, or difficulty breathing.
  6. Eyelid or eyebrow drooping: Temporary but can last several weeks.
  7. Dry eyes or excessive tearing: Especially when injections are near the eyes.

Always discuss potential side effects with your healthcare provider before undergoing Dysport treatment and follow their instructions to minimize risks. Contact your skincare consultant if you develop any side effects or if existing side effects worsen or persist.

What are the differences between Botox, Dysport and Nuceiva?

Botox, Dysport, and Nuceiva: A Comparison of Botulinum Toxin Type A Treatments for Facial Wrinkles

Botox, Dysport, and Nuceiva are all brands of botulinum toxin type A, a neurotoxin used to temporarily paralyze muscles and reduce facial wrinkles. Approved in Canada for cosmetic use, these products have some differences that patients should consider when choosing a treatment.

Botox is the most renowned and widely utilized botulinum toxin type A brand. Used for cosmetic purposes for over two decades, it is considered the benchmark in wrinkle reduction. Manufactured by Allergan, Botox contains the active ingredient onabotulinumtoxinA and is commonly used to treat wrinkles on the forehead, between the eyebrows, and around the eyes.

Dysport, another botulinum toxin type A brand, is produced by Ipsen and contains abobotulinumtoxinA. Similar to Botox in its action, Dysport can treat wrinkles in the same areas. Some patients find that Dysport may act faster and spread more widely than Botox, potentially making it more effective for certain wrinkles.

Nuceiva is the latest botulinum toxin type A brand approved in Canada for cosmetic use. Made by Evolus, it contains prabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs and is marketed as a “next-generation” neurotoxin. Nuceiva is said to have a more precise and purer formulation than Botox or Dysport. Reports suggest it may have a quicker onset of action and potentially longer-lasting effects than other botulinum toxin type A products.

Dosing and Administration Differences

While Botox, Dysport, and Nuceiva are derived from botulinum toxin type A, they are not interchangeable. Each product requires specific dosing and injection techniques. For example, Dysport typically requires a higher dose than Botox, and Nuceiva is considered more potent than both.

One potential advantage of Nuceiva is its lower likelihood of causing antibody formation, which can decrease treatment effectiveness over time. Antibody formation occurs when the body recognizes the toxin as a foreign substance and produces antibodies to counteract it, potentially making the treatment less effective or ineffective with repeated use. Although rare, antibody formation is a consideration for long-term botulinum toxin type A treatments.

Another potential benefit of Nuceiva is a possibly lower risk of side effects compared to other products. While all three brands have similar side effects, such as bruising, swelling, and muscle weakness, some patients might experience fewer side effects with Nuceiva.

Choosing the Right Treatment

The choice between Botox, Dysport, and Nuceiva will depend on individual patient needs and preferences. Some may favor Botox for its established track record, others might prefer Dysport for its quicker onset, while some might opt for Nuceiva for its purported purity and potency. Consulting with a qualified and experienced provider, such as those at Urban Body Laser Medical Spa clinic, is essential to determine the most suitable product and ensure safe and effective treatment.