There’s a new kid in town, at least for Walnut Creek plastic surgery. While Dysport® has been a mover and shaker Europe for years, the US FDA has only recently approved Dysport® for use in San Francisco plastic surgery procedures.
The Number 1 Contender
VS
The Champ
Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA) is very similar to Botox® (botulinum toxin type A). While Botox® molecules are all the same size, Dysport® has some variation in size which may explain the slight differences. Since the drugs are very similar, for most people the effectiveness will be the same. The European experience has reported similar outcomes with Dysport® and Botox®. European studies also show a faster onset of action for Dysport® and maybe a longer lasting result with Dysport®. Here are some of the details:
Onset:
Dysport® has a slightly faster onset of action. In other words, the desired effects can be seen faster with Dysport®. Botox® may take 3-7 days for effects to be seen, while Dysport® may take 1 to 5 days. Since there is wide individual variation in the time it takes for these products to work, I’m not certain this is a hugely beneficial, but the advantage goes to Dysport®.
Onset Advantage: Dysport®.
Longevity:
The effects of Dysport® and Botox® last 3-4 months.; however, there is wide individual variation (1 to 12 months). While some reports show Dysport® lasts longer than Botox®, others show no difference. There is no clear winner here.
Longevity Advantage: Unclear (perhaps Dysport®)
Dose:
Dosing is different for the two drugs. Mostly this is due to the way the assay is performed rather than one toxin being stronger than the other. Like any drug, as long as you are given the correct dose for your problem, it doesn’t matter. While there is not a linear correlation, 2.5 Dysport® units give about the same result as 1 Botox® unit.
Dose Advantage: It just doesn’t matter.
Price:
Unsurprisingly, the introduction of Dysport® has temporarily halted the ever increasing rise in the price of Botox®. In fact Dysport®’s slightly lower price has caused Allergan to issue discount coupons. The $50 coupons help offset the price difference and will help Botox® compete, at least until the coupons expire in October. Two other competing products are also in development by Mentor and Merz.
Price Advantage – Consumer
With the current Botox® coupons it is a wash. Since it’s a fixed $50 off for Botox®, lower doses (one area) may be slightly cheaper to treat with Botox®, while treating multiple areas may be less with Dysport®. When the coupons expire in October the advantage will clearly go to Dysport® … unless Botox® has something else up its sleeve.
Another recently FDA approved product for wrinkles is Hydrelle. I can no longer recommend this product. I would suggest using Restylane®, Perlane® or Juvederm®. All three are now available with Lidocaine, all three seem to have fewer adverse reactions and superior customer service. Details here.
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