What Is Dysport®?
Dysport® (pronounced DISS-port), also known as abobotulinumtoxinA, is a purified protein that is similar to Botox in that its active ingredient is a form of botulinum neurotoxin Type A. Dysport is used for aesthetic purposes in 36 countries, and on April 29, 2009 was the second FDA-approved neurotoxin approved for cosmetic use in the United States. It is indicated for temporary improvement in the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults less than 65 years of age.
Galderma, the company that brings us Restylane and Sculptra, markets Dysport in the United States for cosmetic use. Dysport also has the therapeutic indication for treatment of cervical dystonia and lower limb spasticity.
How Does It Work?
Dysport blocks nerve impulses to the injected muscles, so muscle contractions are reduced, and so are the wrinkle lines of expression.
What Should I Expect For My Initial Visit?
For your initial visit we give you extra time to discuss your concerns with the doctor, and so he can see whether you have any health conditions or circumstances that could interfere with your treatment. Should you decide to proceed with the treatment, a small needle (30- to 32-gauge) will be delicately used to inject a few drops (typically 0.05 to 0.08ml) of reconstituted Dysport into the muscle that causes the wrinkle. This eventually relaxes the muscle to reduce the creasing of overlying skin during facial expression. Over time, static wrinkle lines (the ones at rest) may relax and soften. Dysport relaxes muscle. It does not pull, nor does it fill the skin.
How Long Will It Last?
Although results will vary from patient to patient, a Dysport treatment will generally last about three months. Like BOTOX, Dysport is injected into carefully selected sites based on your specific muscle anatomy. The duration of your treatment results may depend on the dose given, skin thickness, muscle mass, and your body’s response. The doctor will strive to treat you with a dose appropriate for you.
It is recommended that you not be retreated in less than three months time.
Dysport® temporarily inhibits the release of chemical signals from your nerve endings at sites of injection. Nerve impulses that trigger muscle contraction are blocked until the nerve endings repair themselves and work just the way they did before. Treatments do not affect your ability to feel sensation.
What Should I Expect After Treatment?
Most people do not notice a significant difference the day after treatment. Like Botox, Dysport treatment will take several days to achieve optimal results. However, some people feel that Dysport may begin to show improvement quicker than BOTOX. It has recently been suggested that the reason for this is that the amount of active protein in a Dysport vial is actually greater than that of a comparable Botox vial.
The effect of each Dysport injection will spread to a small area (about the size of a quarter) surrounding the injection point(s). With BOTOX, the area of spread is generally smaller. The doctor will consider these differences when selecting which product to use and where to inject it. When the treatment area is more confining, a product with a tighter area of spread might be preferred. Patients often feel Dysport works well to treat the crow’s feet lines near the sides of the eyes, where the muscles you squint with are. This is an “off-label” use.
With repeated treatments, patients often feel they can go longer between treatment. With regular use, Treated muscles temporarily get smaller, because they are not being stimulated and therefore would not crease the skin as easily. Reducing the movement of skin creases would not only be preventive, but curative if etched-in lines soften over time.
Is It Safe?
Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A (BoNTA) has been studied for over 100 years. Dysport is a form of BoNTA that has been used in the United Kingdom since 1991, and has marketing authorizations in 75 countries for multiple therapeutic uses. It has been estimated that its use in patients is above two million single treatment cycles, representing over 840,000 patient years of treatment. The doses required that are used for cosmetic use are much lower than those typically used for other therapeutic uses.
