Frown lines and wrinkles are likely to impact all of us as we get older, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to fight these signs of aging.
At New England Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center in Weymouth, Mass., we offer several prescription products and treatments to help you combat the aging process.
One of those is Dysport. It is a non-surgical treatment that works to relax the facial muscles on your forehead and leads to a reduction in wrinkles and frown lines.
What Is Dysport?
Dysport is an injectable treatment that temporarily reduces frown lines without causing a dramatic change to your appearance. Friends and family may tell you that you look refreshed and revitalized, but they likely won’t have a clue that you underwent Dysport treatment.
That’s because facial muscles that are left untreated work as they always do. You can still smile and use facial expressions, and you won’t gain that unwanted, unnatural frozen look that other treatments can cause.
The History of Dysport
Dysport has been used successfully by thousands of patients around the world, although it is relatively new to the United States. Developed in the United Kingdom nearly 25 years ago, Dysport initially was used to treat various neurological and ophthalmic conditions. But as the understanding of Dysport and its potential advanced, the medication has also been used for concerns such as frown lines and wrinkles.
Dysport can help treat patients who experience heavy and embarrassing underarm sweating. It has been used effectively for years in New Zealand by doctors to treat patients with muscle spasms and tics.
Since 2009, Dysport has been approved in the U.S. for facial treatments. Along with BOTOX and Xeomin, it is considered one of the top anti-aging products available today. Our team at New England Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center will meet with you to determine which treatment is best for you.
How Does Dysport Work?
Under normal conditions, nerves release a chemical messenger called acetylcholine, which signals a muscle to contract. When this signal is repeated over time, the muscle movement contributes to the formation of dynamic wrinkles, such as frown lines between the eyebrows.
When Dysport is placed into selected muscles, it limits the release of acetylcholine at the nerve ending. Without that signal, the targeted muscle cannot contract with the same strength. This reduction in muscle activity allows the skin overlying the muscle to appear smoother while nearby muscles continue to function normally.
Dysport affects only the treated muscles and does not impact sensation or your ability to feel touch. Its effects are temporary because the body gradually forms new nerve connections over the next few months. As these signals recover, muscle movement slowly returns, which is why you may want to come in for additional treatments to maintain your results.
What Is Dysport Used For?
Cosmetic Uses
Dysport is commonly used to address dynamic wrinkles. These are the lines that form only when you are making certain facial expressions. The skin folds and wrinkles form when you smile, squint or raise your eyebrows. Repeated movement in these areas eventually causes these lines to remain visible even in between facial expressions, especially as skin elasticity decreases.
The most common cosmetic use of Dysport is for frown lines between the eyebrows, also known as glabellar lines. These muscles are strong and active, and softening this movement causes the skin to stay smooth. Sometimes, Dysport is used off-label for other dynamic wrinkles like forehead lines or crow’s feet.
Medical Uses
Dysport can also block nerve signals in other areas, widening its uses to medical concerns like excessive sweating. When injected into the armpit, Dysport can limit the nerve signals that stimulate sweat glands and decrease moisture. Some doctors also use it for chronic migraines and TMJ-related discomfort, where it can relax tight muscles or reduce the nerve activity that contributes to headache patterns.
What Makes Dysport Different From Other Neuromodulators?
Botox
Botox is one of the most widely recognized neuromodulators and has been used for both cosmetic and medical purposes for many years. Its formulation includes the active botulinum toxin along with accessory proteins that help stabilize the product. These proteins do not change how it works clinically but are part of its original formulation and can sometimes impact how well the body responds to the product over a period of many treatments.
Xeomin
Xeomin is sometimes referred to as a “naked” neuromodulator because it contains only the active botulinum toxin without added accessory proteins. This purified formulation sets it apart from other options. Xeomin works similarly to other neuromodulators but may be chosen for patients who have developed reduced responsiveness to products containing complexing proteins.
Dysport
Dysport has a unique molecular structure that allows it to diffuse more once placed into the muscle. Dysport is particularly well-suited for treating larger or stronger muscle groups, such as those responsible for frown lines between the eyebrows.
Some patients notice a faster onset of visible muscle relaxation compared to other neuromodulators, but this is different for everyone. Dosing units are also different from Botox and Xeomin, so the products are not interchangeable and must be administered with product-specific expertise.
Dysport Dosing Explained
Units refer to a standardized measurement used to determine how much product is placed into specific muscles. Units are not a measure of volume or strength that can be compared across different neuromodulators. Each product has its own unit system based on how it is manufactured and tested.
Dysport has a more diluted formulation, so more units of this product are needed to get a similar result as Botox. However, these units are also priced lower, making the overall treatment cost comparable. Dosing for all neuromodulator products is highly customizable. We can inject more or less product depending on how much muscle movement and expression you want to see after the treatment.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dysport?
During your consultation, we’ll make sure you are in good health and don’t have any skin irritations or infections in the areas where the injections will go. It’s also important for you to understand the treatment and results and that you have viewed before and after pictures to see what Dysport can do.
Please tell the team at New England Cosmetic about any medicines you are taking so we can determine if Dysport is right for you. We will also review your medical history to ensure you have not had other botulinum toxin products over the past four months.
Dysport cannot be used by children, women who are pregnant, or women who are breastfeeding. But the majority of our patients have told us that Dysport has helped improve their appearance, with little or no side effects.
Dysport is a solid alternative if you don’t want BOTOX or other treatments. It is a simple and quick procedure that can take years off your look in no time.
What Are Dysport Treatments Like?
Preparing for Dysport
Preparing for Dysport doesn’t require major changes to your routine. Before treatment, we review your medical history, prior injectable experience, and any concerns you may have. We will look at how your muscles function and where your skin wrinkles when you make certain facial expressions. We mark the areas we want to inject and make an overall plan for your treatment.
At home, you’ll want to stop taking NSAIDs or supplements that can thin the blood, like fish oil or St. John’s Wort. Anti-inflammatories or blood thinners can sometimes cause injection areas to bruise. On the day of your treatment, don’t apply any lotions or makeup to make your visit faster and easier.
The Dysport Injection Process
This treatment will be done while you are comfortable and relaxed in a seated or reclined position. We will apply a numbing cream to your skin to make it less sensitive to injections and then wait a few minutes for it to take effect. Once your skin is numb, we will inject Dysport at multiple different points in between your brows and in the muscle over your eyebrows. Injections themselves only take a few minutes, and you will be able to go back to work or other normal activities immediately afterward.
After Dysport
The injection points may be a little irritated after your treatment. For most people, this goes away in a couple of hours. You will not notice any results right away because it takes time for the medication to begin working.
Proper Dysport Aftercare
We will review any aftercare instructions with you before you leave our office. Your instructions may include simple guidelines such as:
- Remain upright for several hours after treatment and avoid lying flat during this time
- Avoid rubbing, massaging or applying firm pressure to the treated areas for the rest of the day
- Skip strenuous exercise and activities that increase heart rate for at least 24 hours
- Avoid excessive heat exposure, including saunas, hot tubs or heated yoga, for the remainder of the day
- You may resume gentle skin care, but avoid facial treatments or devices, and do not use exfoliating ingredients in treated areas for a short period.
Dysport Results
In the days after your treatment, you will begin to notice subtle changes in the skin in the area between your brows. The muscles will become less active, and wrinkles will start to fade, even when you are frowning and squinting. The longevity of these results will depend on how your body responds and certain lifestyle factors, like time spent in the sun. Dysport results are temporary and will eventually fade, but you can return regularly for more injections.
What Factors Impact Dysport Longevity?
- Muscle Strength and Activity: Stronger or more active facial muscles may metabolize Dysport more quickly. Areas such as the frown lines often involve powerful muscle movement, which can affect how long results remain visible.
- Treatment Area: Some muscles are smaller and require fewer units, while others are larger and more active. Longevity can vary depending on where Dysport is placed and how much movement occurs in that area during daily expression.
- Metabolism and Lifestyle: Patients with faster metabolisms or very active lifestyles may find that results wear off sooner. Factors such as frequent, intense exercise can influence how quickly the product is broken down.
- Dosing and Treatment Plan: The number of units used and how Dysport is distributed across muscles can affect how long results last. Conservative dosing may wear off sooner, while higher doses in stronger muscles may provide longer-lasting effects.
- Consistency of Treatments: Repeated treatments can help reduce muscle strength gradually, which may extend the duration between visits.
Are There Any Risks or Side Effects of Dysport?
The most common effects are related to the injections themselves rather than the medication. These can include slight redness around the injection points and some swelling or tenderness. Some patients may experience bruising or a headache after their treatment, which typically resolves without intervention. Other risks, like product migration, are rare but possible. If you have any questions, we would be happy to answer them during a consultation.
FAQs About Dysport
How Long Does Dysport Last?
Dysport and other neuromodulators last between three and four months. You should wait at least 90 days before receiving additional Dysport treatments. You can help your results to last as long as possible by taking care of your skin. Wear sunscreen and protective clothing when you go outside and continue nourishing your skin through a healthy diet and skincare products that are suitable for your skin type.
Will My Dysport Results Look Natural?
A natural appearance is a common goal for patients considering Dysport. Every treatment is planned around your facial anatomy and how your muscles move, which helps you maintain normal expressions while softening targeted lines. With proper dosing and placement, a Dysport treatment can help you look more relaxed without looking overdone.
Can Dysport Be Combined With Other Treatments?
Dysport is often combined with other aesthetic treatments as part of a broader plan. It may be paired with dermal fillers, skin treatments, or laser services, depending on your goals and timing. Combining treatments can allow different concerns to be addressed at the same time, and we will discuss sequencing and spacing to help treatments work well together.
Can Dysport Be Used for Men?
Dysport is commonly used for men who want to soften frown lines or other expression-related wrinkles. Male facial muscles are often stronger, which can influence dosing and placement. Many men appreciate results that look subtle rather than obvious.
Can Dysport Prevent Wrinkles?
Dysport may help limit the repetitive muscle movements that contribute to wrinkle formation. By reducing how strongly certain muscles contract, lines may become less pronounced over time. It is most effective for dynamic wrinkles rather than static lines caused by skin laxity or volume loss. Results vary based on muscle activity, skin quality, and consistency of treatment.
How Much Does Dysport Cost?
The cost of Dysport varies based on the number of units used and the areas treated. Every treatment is different because muscle strength and treatment goals differ from patient to patient. Dysport is priced by the unit, and we review expected pricing during your consultation so you understand the investment associated with Dysport injections.
What Is the Difference Between Dysport and Fillers?
Dysport and fillers are both injectable treatments, but they are used for different aesthetic concerns. Dysport is used to soften lines caused by facial movement, while fillers restore or add volume and address lines that are present at rest. Fillers may also be used to enhance facial contours or support areas affected by volume loss. Because they treat different underlying causes, Dysport and fillers are often used together.
About John B. Lazor, M.D., M.B.A, F.A.C.S.
Dr. Lazor is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, as well as an Instructor at Harvard Medical School. His specialty areas include facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Dr. Lazor has spent the last 23 years operating on the face and neck and specializes in rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, facelifts, mini facelifts, neck lifts, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), chin implants, and brow lifts. He has 4 state-of-the-art lasers for treating facial/leg vessels, pigment, scarring, acne, rosacea, and facial/body hair. This includes the new state of the art Quadralase fractional CO2 laser.
Dr. Lazor has been treating patients with Botox for cosmetic and functional reasons for over 20 years and is also an expert in facial fillers and facial contouring.
Schedule a Dysport Consultation in Weymouth, MA
Let New England Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center show you the way to a revitalized look. We take a thoughtful, individualized approach to Dysport, focusing on facial balance and natural movement. Every treatment plan is shaped by your goals, anatomy, and comfort level. Contact us today at 781-337-5665 to talk about Dysport treatments in Weymouth, MA, and learn how it can help you.
