I have lots of my clients ask me about the difference between Dysport and Botox, so I thought I’d write a blog about them!
Botox, the pharmaceutical name for Botulinum Toxin A made by Allergan, was released in Australia in the mid 1990s. It was a fantastic breakthrough not only for the cosmetic industry, but it also has many applications in a medical setting. Once a schedule 4 medication comes off a patent (usually 20-25 years), another pharmaceutical company can release the same active ingredient, which is exactly what IPSEN Pharmaceuticals. In late 1999-2000, Dysport was released by IPSEN pharmaceuticals in Australia. It is also a Botulinum Toxin A, a derived protein that works by relaxing targeted muscles.
In terms of how the two toxins compare to each other, I prefer Dysport. The Dysport protein is slightly smaller than Botox, so it works quicker. I’ve also noticed over my 20 years of injecting that Dysport tends to have a longer duration of action, and comes at a cheaper price. Some of my patients say Dysport kicks in the next day after administration. Botox generally takes 4-7 days to begin working. Dysport lasts approximately 4 months, whereas Botox generally lasts 3 months.
A major source of confusion for a lot of people is the unit measurements. A Botox ampoule contains 100 Botox units, whereas a Dysport ampoule contains 500 Dysport units. In a clinical setting and with the manufacturers guidance, it is recommended that 20 Botox units are equivalent to approximately 50 Dysport units.
Wrinkle relaxers are a passion of mine and I am always happy to chat to you if you’d like any more information!
Leave a Reply