San Jose Morgan Hill Recently, patients are asking me to explain the difference between Botox® and Dysport®. They wonder how the medications work and if there was a noticeable difference in treatment between them.
The conversations are interesting and I think it’s critical for patients to be educated on their treatment options, so I decided to answer some of common questions I answer during a consultation:
What is the difference between Botox vs. Dysport?
Botox® and Dysport® are both Botulinum Toxin Type A, a medication which works by blocking the communication between the nerves and muscles, thus relaxing lines and wrinkles in treated sites. The molecular structure of Dysport® is slightly smaller than Botox®, which causes the treatment to diffuse faster and therefore it has a quicker onset than Botox®.* Dysport® treatment is noticeable as early as 1-2 days after treatment, where Botox® can take as long as 5-7 days before the effects are seen, giving patients a faster reveal.
Which is a better treatment, Botox or Dysport?
Each treatment is different, but generally speaking, Botox® and Dysport® can work interchangeably. Personally, I find there are specific areas that benefit more from Dysport® treatment and therefore recommend it over Botox® when performing certain procedures, and vice-versa. For instance, when treating “crow’s feet”, clusters of tiny wrinkles and fine lines around the outer corners of the eyes, Dysport® treatment has a much nicer diffusion with more even distribution and gives a more natural effect.* Conversely, Botox® treatment works well for the glabella region, the skin between the eyebrows and above the nose. Because of this, I will sometimes use a combination of both products during treatment.
What’s the cost difference between Botox and Dysport?
From a cost perspective, Dysport® and Botox® treatment is about the same. However, research suggests that Dysport® lasts longer than Botox®, so it actually presents the better value. The best news for patients is that they now have options. Botox® is by far more commonly used than Dysport® because of name recognition and being a long-time market leader. But Dysport® gives Botox® strong competition in smoothing out facial lines and wrinkles.
What’s absolutely imperative with Botox® or Dysport® is that the person administering the treatment is a well trained specialist who understands the unique characteristics of each medication, along with the advantages and disadvantages of use for any particular area. When administered properly, the effects are focused on the treatment zone and result in a beautiful wrinkle-free and rejuvenated look. The risk is high; without this expertise a patient risks effects traveling outside of the injection zone, affecting surrounding areas, which leads to unintended side effects like eyelid droop and facial distortion, so experience matters.
Dr. Boudreault is a Palo Alto plastic surgeon who has been providing high quality injections of both Botox® and Dysport® treatment at his practice, Illuminate Plastic Surgery, located in Palo Alto & San Jose, California. Please visit his Yelp page for reviews from his happy patients.
Call Dr. Boudreault’s office at (650) 433-8621 or contact us online to schedule your Botox® or Dysport consultation today.
What do you think about Botox® vs. Dysport®? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below!.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carrie Evanger, FNP-BC
Carrie Evanger, FNP-BC is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with more than 15 years of nursing experience. She has advanced training in medical aesthetics, injectable treatments, medical-grade skincare, and Sciton laser technology. At Illuminate Plastic Surgery, Carrie provides customized aesthetic and anti-aging treatments for patients throughout Silicon Valley, including San Jose and Morgan Hill, with a focus on natural-looking, confidence-boosting results.
Carrie specializes in advanced injectable treatments including Botox®, Dysport®, Sculptra®, dermal filler, lip filler, and full facial balancing designed to soften signs of aging while preserving each patient’s natural features and facial harmony. She also performs advanced laser and energy-based treatments including BBL® HERO™, Moxi®, Halo®, Sciton® TriBrid™, Discovery Pico®, and Ultherapy® nonsurgical skin tightening treatments. Her expertise includes treatments designed to improve pigmentation, redness, sun damage, acne scarring, skin texture, skin laxity, collagen production, and tattoo removal while helping patients achieve healthier, more youthful-looking skin. Carrie also incorporates customized medical-grade skincare regimens into treatment plans to support long-term skin health and optimize aesthetic results.
Known for her approachable personality, artistic eye, and attention to detail, Carrie creates personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s skin concerns, aesthetic goals, and long-term skin health. Her aesthetic philosophy focuses on achieving refreshed, balanced, and natural results through preventative aesthetic medicine and evidence-based treatments.
With a strong clinical background and a Master’s degree in Nursing Education, Carrie combines advanced medical knowledge with the latest innovations in aesthetic medicine to provide safe, effective, and results-driven treatments. Her years of nursing experience, passion for patient education, and commitment to continued learning allow her to create personalized treatment plans while helping patients feel informed, comfortable, and confident throughout every stage of their aesthetic journey.
As part of the expert team at Illuminate Plastic Surgery, Carrie works alongside leading aesthetic providers and board-certified plastic surgeons to deliver advanced cosmetic injectables, laser skin rejuvenation, and non-surgical aesthetic treatments using the industry’s most innovative technologies. Patients across Silicon Valley trust Carrie for her meticulous approach, conservative recommendations, and ability to deliver subtle, beautiful results that enhance natural beauty without looking overdone.
At Illuminate we’re with you during every step of your journey toward greater self-confidence. Schedule a consultation with us today and let Illuminate’s expert team listen to your concerns and guide you through treatments and procedures to help you reach your individual goals. We look forward to seeing you and celebrating your renewed appearance and realized potential.
