Feeling Wrinkled? A Comparison of Botox and Dysport

Once you reach a certain age (and I'm not saying I've reached it yet), you become a little more concerned with the effects of aging on your looks. You might start out with anti-aging treatments you purchased from infomercials late at night when you were feeling a little, shall we say, aged. But eventually, you realize it's going to take a little more than a magic serum to give you back your youthful looks.

Botox and Dysport are two drugs that have exciting uses for women (and men) in the fight against wrinkles. Only recently approved by the FDA, Dysport is the first competition that the wildly popular Botox, approved by the FDA in 2004, has known. Both are injected into the skin to temporarily relax facial muscles and not only smooth wrinkles, crow's feet, and other facial lines, but actually keep them from deepening (a double whammy!) This article will help you understand the differences and similarities of the two drugs.

Botox

Botox, or Botulinum toxin type A, is made from the bacterium that causes botulism. It blocks the nerve activity in your facial muscles, causing a temporary "freeze" of these muscles. The effects of Botox last about four to six months; after that, you will need to return for another treatment. Side effects include bruising, bleeding, dizziness, and headaches. As mentioned earlier, Botox is a very popular way to treat wrinkles. You may have even heard of "Botox parties" where you go to someone's house, enjoy a little wine and cheese, and slip away to have a few needles poked into your facial muscles. You go home a little younger looking and with a lighter pocketbook. (Hopefully your hostess also served good cheese, but I digress.)

Dysport

Dysport is also made from Botulinum toxin Type A. It works the same way Botox does, causing a temporary "freeze" in the muscles of your face. As the drug was so recently approved, there is not a lot of anecdotal evidence in existence concerning it, but first reports seem to reflect that Dysport works faster than Botox - one to two days, in some cases as quickly as 24 hours, as opposed to three to five days for Botox. Other studies have shown that injections of Dysport may last longer than Botox, up to six months or a year. Side effects include soreness or bruising around the injection sites (this is usually temporary) and headaches.

Cost

Botox costs about three times as much as Dysport; that being said, it also seems to be about three times as effective as Dysport, so the cost to you for either drug ends up being about the same over time. The going rate seems to be between $300-$500 for Botox and $200-$400 for Dysport. Your cost will depend on many factors, including who adminsters the drug (plastic surgeon, physician's assistant, etc.), where you have it done (hospital, medical spa, or doctor's office), and how much you need. Both drugs are also similar in use - they are injected into the muscles of your face (ouch).

Research done on both drugs seems to indicate that they are safe, relatively painless ways to temporarily treat facial wrinkles. Regardless of which procedure you choose, these drugs should only be administered by a healthcare professional that has been trained in their use. (See the above mentioned "Botox parties". If you attend one, please make sure a doctor is also one of the attendees; more importantly, that the doctor is the attendee wielding the hypodermic needle. Otherwise, stick to Tupperware parties.)

Serious Side Effects

Please keep in mind that despite their "cosmetic" uses, these are still drugs. Serious side effects of Botox include an irregular heartbeat, paralysis, seizures, and speech and vision changes. And the effects of Dysport, or any Botulinum toxin product, can spread from the area of injection and produce symptoms of the Botulinum toxin, including swallowing and breathing difficulties which can be life threatening. Immediate medical attention may be required in cases of respiratory, speech or swallowing difficulties.

If you are uncertain as to which drug is right for your cosmetic needs, discuss your choices with your healthcare provider before making any decisions. He or she will be able to answer any questions you may have. These drugs are just two options in the fight against aging, and in the end, you may decide that neither is right for you. Good luck and here's to looking younger!

Source List:

http://www.medicinenet.com/botox_treatment/artcle.htm

http://www.yourplasticusrgeryguide.com/injectables-and-fillers/dysport.htm

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/botox-side-effects.html

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