San Jose Morgan Hill in San Jose, Palo Alto, & Morgan Hill, CA
Frown lines often become more noticeable as time goes on, even when your face is at rest. If you want to smooth these lines but still look like yourself, Dysport could help. At Illuminate Plastic Surgery, we tailor Dysport treatments in San Jose, Palo Alto, and Morgan Hill to your unique facial features, muscle movement, and personal goals.
Injectable botulinum toxin type A
Approximately 10–15 minutes
In-office treatment
Minimal to none
One treatment, with maintenance as effects wear off
Often begin developing within the first few days
Dysport is a prescription injection made with abobotulinumtoxinA, a type of botulinum toxin type A. It works by temporarily relaxing certain muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles. For cosmetic use, Dysport is FDA-approved for temporary improvement of moderate to severe frown lines, or glabellar lines, between the eyebrows in adults younger than 65.
When you frown, squint, smile, or raise your eyebrows, your facial muscles fold the skin over and over. Dysport blocks the nerve signals that tell certain muscles to contract. As these muscles relax, the skin above them often looks smoother.
The aim is to reduce wrinkles in a controlled way, not to freeze your face. Muscles that are not treated will still move as usual, helping you keep a natural look.
Dysport is FDA-approved for moderate to severe glabellar lines between the eyebrows. These frown lines develop largely from repeated movement of the muscles that pull the brows inward and downward.
Providers sometimes use Dysport in other areas, depending on your facial features and what you want to achieve. These areas can include forehead lines, crow’s feet, bunny lines, a pebbled chin, downturned mouth corners, neck bands, or certain jawline concerns. At Illuminate, Dysport is already part of our broader treatment plans for lines caused by muscle movement.
Dysport treatments may offer:
Since Dysport’s effects don’t last forever, your treatment plan can be adjusted as your face, preferences, or goals change over time.
Dysport works most directly on dynamic wrinkles caused by muscle movement. A line that remains visible at rest may also involve skin quality, aging, or lost facial volume. If your main concern is volume loss, a dermal filler with ingredients like hyaluronic acid might be a better choice. Other issues may respond best to skin treatments or a mix of different options.
Dysport could be a good option if you’re mainly bothered by frown lines or wrinkles from facial movement and want a nonsurgical treatment with minimal downtime.
Treatment may not be appropriate for everyone. Dysport should not be used with an infection at the planned injection site or certain allergies to Dysport, other botulinum toxin products, or cow's milk protein. Certain muscle or nerve conditions can increase the risk of serious muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, or breathing problems. Official safety information also advises against Dysport during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
If you’re not sure whether your lines are from muscle movement, volume loss, or skin changes, your first appointment can help figure out the cause and the best options for you.
Let your provider know about any past botulinum toxin treatments, facial surgery or weakness, muscle or nerve conditions, medications, vitamins, supplements, injectable antibiotics, muscle relaxants, and any new medicines since your last visit. Sharing this information helps lower risks and guides your treatment plan.
Dysport and Botox are both botulinum toxin type A treatments, but their formulas, dosing, and FDA-approved cosmetic uses differ. Botox has broader FDA-approved cosmetic indications, while Dysport's cosmetic approval centers on glabellar lines.
Dysport is sometimes said to spread a bit farther from where it’s injected, which can help in some larger treatment areas. This doesn’t mean one product is always better than the other. The best choice depends on your facial anatomy, which muscles are treated, your past experiences, and your goals.
No. Dysport's formula and potency measurement differ from Botox. Dysport's official prescribing information states that its units cannot be directly compared or converted to the units of another botulinum toxin product.
Your provider will look at your face both at rest and while you move, checking muscle strength, eyebrow position, any unevenness, and the lines you want to treat. You’ll also talk about how much movement you want to keep and whether Dysport, Botox, fillers, or another treatment is right for you. Your med spa appointment starts with a consultation, and in most cases, your treatment can be performed during the same visit if you decide to proceed.
Your provider will clean your skin and use a fine needle to inject Dysport into certain muscles. The injections usually take just a few minutes once your treatment plan is set.
Most people feel a quick pinch or sting at each injection spot. If you’re worried about discomfort, ask your provider if a numbing cream or other comfort option is right for you.
You can usually get back to your normal activities right away. Mild redness, swelling, tenderness, bruising, or pain at the injection site can happen but usually go away on their own. Be sure to follow the aftercare instructions for your Dysport treatment.
Dysport often works quickly. In clinical studies, some people saw improvement within 24 hours, and more than half noticed results in about two to three days. Full results develop over the next several days, but timing can vary for each person.
Dysport results don’t last forever. Most people see improvement for several months, and studies have shown it can last up to five months for some. How long it lasts depends on your muscle strength, dose, treatment area, and your body’s response.
It shouldn’t. Getting natural-looking results depends on the dose, where the injections are placed, your muscle strength, and how much movement you want to keep. Dysport lets untreated facial muscles keep working as usual.
Yes, when different concerns are contributing to your appearance.
Dysport helps relax muscles, while dermal fillers add or restore volume. Using both can target different signs of facial aging.
Sculptra boosts collagen over time and can work well with Dysport if you want to address both muscle movement and changes in facial structure.
Laser, microneedling, or other skin treatments can help with texture, pigment, or skin quality issues that Dysport doesn’t address.
The most common side effects of Dysport are headache, pain or skin reaction at the injection site, eyelid swelling or drooping, nose or throat irritation, sinus inflammation, nausea, and upper respiratory infection. Allergic reactions are also possible.
In rare cases, the effects of botulinum toxin can spread beyond the treated area. This can cause symptoms like muscle weakness throughout the body, blurred or double vision, trouble speaking or swallowing, or difficulty breathing. Get medical help right away if you notice any of these serious symptoms.
Good neurotoxin treatment starts with understanding how your face moves. Illuminate’s experienced med spa team evaluates facial anatomy, muscle strength, symmetry, and the amount of movement you want to keep before recommending where and how Dysport should be used.
Treatment is individualized rather than based on a standard injection pattern for every patient. The goal is to soften the lines that concern you while preserving balance and natural expression in the rest of your face. If Dysport is not the best match for what you want to improve, your provider can also discuss whether another neurotoxin, filler, or skin treatment may be more appropriate.
This approach gives you a clearer understanding of your options before treatment and allows your plan to evolve as your facial movement, goals, or preferences change.
You don’t have to decide in advance whether Dysport or Botox is right for you, how many units you’ll need, or where the injections should go. During your consultation, your provider will see how your face moves, learn what you want to improve, and explain your options, expected results, risks, and costs.
Book your Dysport appointment at Illuminate Plastic Surgery in San Jose, Palo Alto, or Morgan Hill.
Schedule Your ConsultationIn clinical studies, some people saw improvement within 24 hours, and more than half noticed results in two to three days.
Most people can expect temporary results that last several months. Research has shown that for some, the effects can last up to five months.
Neither one is automatically better. The best choice depends on the area being treated, your facial muscles, your past experience, and your personal goals.
No. Dysport units are specific to the product and can’t be directly converted to Botox units.
FDA-approved treatment of moderate to severe glabellar lines uses a total of 50 Dysport units. Off-label treatment in other areas must be individualized.
Yes, but make sure to allow enough time for Dysport’s effects to show and for any redness, swelling, or bruising to go away before your big event.
As Dysport wears off, muscle activity slowly returns and the treated lines may become more visible again. Stopping Dysport won’t suddenly make your wrinkles worse.
While Dysport is working, it reduces repeated muscle contractions and skin folding in the treated areas. It can’t prevent all future wrinkles or stop the natural aging process.
The cost depends on which area you want treated, how much Dysport you need, and your treatment plan. At Illuminate, we go over personalized pricing for neurotoxin treatments during your consultation.
Trust is our Best Feature
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.
