otox beware. You have some stiff competition. On April 30, 2009, Dysport was approved by the Federal Drug Administration for use in the United States. It’s the latest of the new cosmetic injectables used to treat the appearance of wrinkles. Made from the same purified Botulism type A as Botox, it works to relax the facial muscles in the forehead and near the eyes, resulting in smooth, wrinkle-free skin.
Also known as Reloxin, Dysport has been used in the United Kingdom since the early 1990s. Its primary uses were to treat motor and opthamolic disorders, cerebral palsy, and cervical dystonia. It is also an effective treatment for hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and nervous tics in the face and neck.
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the optimal results are for the client to retain her natural expressions while removing signs of aging |  |
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How is Dysport administered?
Injections should be administered by medical professionals who have an excellent understanding of the muscular structure of the face. With professional execution, the optimal results are for the client to retain her natural expressions while removing signs of aging. No local anesthetic is required, but may be used upon request. If there is any pain, acetaminophen can be taken—not ibuprofen. Treatment consists of 3-5 small injections between the eyebrows, and the session should take 10-20 minutes to complete. There is no down-time and you can return to work directly after a treatment. The effects should begin to show within seven days and last from 1-9 nine months, although 4-6 months is typical for most.
What are the side effects of Dysport?
Some side effects include soreness or bruising at the injection site, rashes, flu-like symptoms, and headaches, which can last from a few hours to a few days. Some patients report droopy eyelids, which can take from one day to four weeks to return to normal. The product should not be used if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. There is a risk that the botulism toxin could migrate to other parts of the body causing severe problems with swallowing or breathing. This risk prompted the FDA to mandate a “black box” warning to the packaging. This is the strongest action they can take when labeling drugs with serious or life-threatening side effects.
Since the FDA approval date, Ipsen Limited, the French maker of the product estimates that Dysport will be available for use from mid to late 2009. Dysport and Botox are not interchangeable products; they have different dosages and professionals administering Dysport should be trained and aware of these differences.
Botox Vs. Dysport
But which is better, Dysport or Botox? Some say that Dysport has a greater “spread” (covers a larger area), which means fewer injections are necessary. But when a client wants to target a more specific area, Botox may be preferable. Some claim that Dysport works faster and lasts longer, but there are no studies available to support either assertion. Preliminary tests suggest both products are effective, but at this stage it is not known if either injectable yields a significantly superior result. Dysport may prove to be just a competitor. Presently, Dysport is less costly, and that may help drive down the price of Botox treatments. Coming soon… the inevitable advertising wars.
By Ana Ortiz-Longo, Jun 22, 2009
I've never had Botox or any other type of anti-aging through injection procedure. It's hard to tell if I ever would. I'm a big fan of facials and hydrating products but as we get older those can only do so much.
The risk of it migrating to another part of the body alone seems like such a turn-off. Why do that to yourself? Yet, how often do we do things that aren't necessary or great for us under the guise of looking better. Suntan, anyone? I know I'm guilty.
I think I'm more of an aging gracefully kind of gal than a fight, fight, fight, stop those wrinkles kind of girl but never say never. Who knows how I might feel in the next few years.
I have so many questions. What's it like once the injections wear off? Do you look the same as you did before? Do you look better than before but not as great as when you first got the injection or do you look worse and have to do it again?
Living in LA you see some funky over injected faces. They scare me.
By Karyn Polewaczyk, Jun 22, 2009
While I appreciate that cosmetic surgery is now a topic that can be discussed openly, with less taboo and shame than in the past, I don't agree with the use of temporary "fixers" such as Botox, Dysport and other injectable medications. To me, there's something beautiful about aging gracefully and accepting yourself at different points in your life. This is not to say that I would rule out more traditional, permanent procedures; in fact, I've been researching a reverse blepharoplasty (a fancy word for "eye job"), which targets excess skin under the eyes, for myself for sometime. I'm also acutely aware of the side effects of surgery: pain, swelling, and the need for recovery before results. We live in an age of instant communication and immediate gratification; we also prefer to inject our faces with poison to bypass the scalpel. Thanks, but no thanks.
By Deidre, Jun 22, 2009
It doesn't sound like Dysport is any safer than Botox, so I will steer clear of both of them. There is something about injecting a toxin-derivative into one's face solely to look younger that strikes me as illogical, vain, and sexist - these products are overwhelmingly marketed to and used by women in the eternal quest to avoid aging. Not to mention either of these constitute a pricey habit since you have to get touch-ups several times a year.
I'm all in favor of trying to maintain a youthful appearance, but I prefer to stick to non-injected products and eating right - to each his or her own.
By Janet G, Jun 22, 2009
I have to agree with the other commentators here - it still sounds scary to me! Who knows, maybe I'll change my tune in a few years, but no injections for me!
By Kristin B, Jun 22, 2009
No needles in my face, either! No thanks! Seems so uncomfortable and like spinning your wheels if you have to keep doing it. And I want to know what you look like when it wears off, too!!
Anybody have any good creams or other remedies that reduce the look of wrinkles?
By Stacy Larsen, Jun 22, 2009
I'm with everybody so far, too. I was thinking just last night about how much I'd love to erase some of these aging signs, but it really seems like staving off the inevitable. We get old. I look at some of the celebrities who have had decades of work done and they just look like aliens now (think Cher). I'd rather that we look for ways to appreciate beauty in all life stages rather than 18 being the normative definition of acceptable beauty and desirability.
By Victoria Klein, Jun 22, 2009
I'm hesitant to take any injection, especially one that is only for "beauty" purposes. I prefer to stay as natural as possible, and that includes aging gracefully.
By Karyn Polewaczyk, Jun 22, 2009
I think the most ironic part of all is that people are quick to jump on the bandwagon of, "You are what you eat," yet load their skin with creams and lotions that are chock full of chemicals, which eventually wind up in the blood stream (at least in small increments). I hate to target stereotypes, but there are women in places such as LA who live for smoothies, yoga and hiking, then make a "quick stop" by their cosmetic surgeons' offices for a hit of Restalyne and Botox. What's the point, really? Of course, I'm 27, so I often have hands waved in my face - "You'll understand when you hit 35" - but my mother has never once lied about her age nor let the fact that she doesn't look preternaturally 21 stop her from living a wonderful life.
By Lauren Colley, Jun 23, 2009
I must say-- having something injected into my face seems like an event to be avoided at all costs. Maybe my perspective will develop as my wrinkles do, but for now-- no way!
By Jacquetta Szathmari, Jun 24, 2009
I'll see how I look in few years before I make a negative comment about any injectable. I am waiting for the day when either this stuff comes in pill form or I can somehow wear a projection device that shows people how I looked in my better years. Where is the botox for a saggy booty and frontal bit?
By Carolyn Schlicher, Jun 25, 2009
I never say "never" to losing the 10 pounds I want to, being a better person, or achieving something that looks insurmountable. I guess I need to show the same consideration for things I don't find as desirable as well.
By Amy L, Jun 26, 2009
It is scary. I considered Botox for a minute for my migraines. But the side effects/possible repreccusions scared me. And there are so many shots needed in the neck, shoulders and forehead.
And Dysport may have been used in the UK but I'd like to see more studies. If there are no studies yet to confirm that it is long lasting, then so far, they haven't studied the long term effects - good and bad.