Home » News & Tips » Botox Vs. Dysport: What’s The Difference?
Botox Vs. Dysport: What’s The Difference?
posted October 03, 2019
Mark Twain once wrote, “wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.” Obviously, this guy had never been on Instagram before. These days, it’s not just celebrities who seek out age-defying treatments for their faces and bodies. You can scroll through your feed and find pic after pic of all kinds of people, enjoying the good life wrinkle-free.
With dermal fillers and non-surgical injectables like Botox and Dysport, more and more people are getting treatments to help reverse and prevent the signs of aging. And why not? The age of stiff smiles and unmovable “Spock Brows” is gone, and in its place is the era of convenient, noninvasive treatments with spectacular, natural-looking results.
Both Dysport and Botox are crowd-pleasing wrinkle treatments because they’re relatively painless and have a lightning-fast recovery time. If you’re considering either of these to help erase some of time’s stamp on your face, here’s a quick and helpful crash course to get you up to snuff.
What is Botox?
A type of neurotoxin — also known as botulinum toxin injections — that works by blocking muscle contractions, Botox is a minimally invasive injectable that smooths facial lines and wrinkles that develop as we age. Because it’s a non-surgical procedure, it doesn’t dramatically change your appearance!
Botox results are so natural looking that they’re a commonplace treatment these days. In fact, 7 million people use it each year. Even more impressive, Botox is the most frequent med spa treatment performed in the US — which means you’ve passed Botox patients every day and never even noticed! The treatment relaxes your facial muscles, so you can still frown, smile, or look surprised as always — just without the wrinkles and creases.
What can you expect from your Botox treatment?
Dr. Aisha White or one of our talented Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner aesthetic injectors will inject Botox into the target area with a very fine needle to relax the muscle. You will feel a minimal stinging sensation and will be able to resume your day immediately afterward, with no recovery downtime. Most of our patients rate it a 1 or 2 on a scale of 10 for discomfort.
When will you see Botox results?
Within seven to 14 days, you’ll notice a marked improvement, and your results can last anywhere from three to four months. Because our bodies process Botox on a uniquely personal level, the duration of results can vary, but most patients see optimal results after receiving anywhere between 3-4 treatments per year.
Like Botox, Dysport is botulinum toxin injection, which means that it relaxes the muscles to create a natural and smoothing effect on wrinkles and fine lines. And just like Botox, Dysport is one of the most widely administered prescription cosmetic injectables for softening severe frown lines between the eyebrows without changing the look or movement of the rest of your face. Dysport is manufactured by Galderma, the makers of Restylane and Sculptra Aesthetic fillers.
What can you expect from your Dysport treatment?
A Dysport treatment is just like that of a Botox procedure. Your certified Viva injector will administer the injectable into your target area. You’ll experience very minimal discomfort, and you’ll be back to your normal schedule that same day, with no recovery time necessary. Just like with Botox, you’ll see results within seven to 14 days, and your results can last anywhere from three to four months. Dysport is ideal for:
Furrowed brows
Forehead lines
Crow’s feet (wrinkles at the corners of the eyes)
Bunny lines (wrinkles beside the nose)
Smile lines or laugh lines
Frown lines
Vertical lip lines
Eyebrow reshaping
Improving facial symmetry
Preventing wrinkles from deepening over time
Early prevention of the effects of aging
Dysport vs. Botox
The difference between Botox and Dysport is that they’re composed of different formulas. Dysport, while just as effective as Botox, is a more diluted solution. This means you may need more units of Dysport than Botox. However, because it’s more diluted, Dysport is better at treating large areas, while Botox is great for smaller fixes. Additionally, Dysport works just a little bit faster than Botox — Dysport patients often report results in as little as 24 hours, compared to 72 hours for Botox.
Everybody is different though — hooray diversity! — which means that one treatment might just work better for you. Some people who haven’t responded to Botox report that Dysport gives them better results. Your experienced cosmetic injection specialist will help you decide which one is right for you.
Botox vs. Dysport Cost
Botox and Dysport injections are both priced by the unit. At Viva Day Spa + Med Spa in Austin, the cost of Botox is $12 per unit. Dysport costs $4 per unit. While cheaper than Botox, it typically it takes twice as many units of Dysport to achieve the same result.
According to self-reported reviews on Real Self, that average cost of Dysport is $450 dollars per treatment nationally. Botox injections average at a slightly higher rate nationally at $550 each session.
Best Skin Care Products After Botox
Protect your Botox treatment investment with a post-procedure skin care routine featuring medical-grade quality products from SkinCeuticals. Here’s what our medical aestheticians recommend:
SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic, $166
A must-have in every home skin care routine, dermatologists and estheticians recommend SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic vitamin C serum as the antioxidant gold standard for protecting your skin from environmental and sun damage. It also helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, firms the skin, and brightens your complexion. After cleansing and toning in the morning, apply 4-5 drops of CE Ferulic to your dry face, neck and chest.
Replenishing Cleanser Cream from SkinCeuticals is a creamy face wash that delivers a deep cleanse while maintaining moisture. This panthenol cleanser lathers into a rich foam to remove dirt, debris, impurities, and long-lasting makeup without stripping skin’s natural oils. Twice daily, gently massage a small amount of this creamy face wash onto a wet face and neck using a light circular motion. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat dry. If using in the morning, follow with a SkinCeuticals vitamin C serum and sunscreen.
Apply a broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen every morning to protect yourself from damaging UV rays, even when indoors (unless you have no windows). It’s also important to re-apply. SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 is a lightweight tinted sunscreen provides mineral protection and enhances your natural skin tone to boost the appearance of radiance.
At night, opt for a retinoid — ideally prescription — which helps to build collagen, can minimize pores, and even tone and pigment. Peptides are also key to boosting production of collagen and elastin.
Botox & Dysport Specials in Austin
New to Botox or Dysport injections and live in Austin, TX? We’ve got some fantastic med spa specials for 1st-time injections patients at Viva Day Spa + Med Spa.
1st-Time Botox Special
Get your first Botox treatment of 30 units or more and receive 10 additional free units — a $120 value. That is 40 units for just $9/unit (regular price $12/unit). Must join or be an Alle rewards member to take advantage of this unique offer!
Or plan your look for the year and save when you purchase an annual series of Botox treatments. It’s the perfect number of neuromodulator units for 3-4 typical Botox injection treatments in a year.
1st-Time Dysport Special
Interested in trying Dysport? Get your first Dysport treatment of 90 units or more and receive 20 additional free units — an $80 value.
Book An Appointment
So stop googling Dysport and Botox near me. If you’re ready to experience the magic of these wrinkle erasers for yourself in a good-for-the-soul environment, we’ve got three convenient Viva locations in Austin just waiting to get you started. Viva offer safe treatments with stunning results in a relaxing, non-clinical spa environment.
A type of neurotoxin — also known as botulinum toxin injections — that works by blocking muscle contractions, 
Replenishing Cleanser Cream from SkinCeuticals is a creamy face wash that delivers a deep cleanse while maintaining moisture. This panthenol cleanser lathers into a rich foam to remove dirt, debris, impurities, and long-lasting makeup without stripping skin’s natural oils. Twice daily, gently massage a small amount of this creamy face wash onto a wet face and neck using a light circular motion. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat dry. If using in the morning, follow with a SkinCeuticals vitamin C serum and sunscreen.