Although the fountain of youth may be just a myth, facial injections come pretty close. This relatively simple beauty procedure has skyrocketed in popularity, with over 1 million people going in for fillers each year according to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.
What Are Injectables?
Injectables such as BOTOX® and Dysport® help eliminate fine lines and wrinkles, and can also in some cases alleviate facial spasms, chronic migraines, and even excessive sweating. Facial injections block certain chemical signals from nerves, essentially smoothing out the facial muscles that cause wrinkles. Injectables only work temporarily, so for lasting results patients will need to come in for regular sessions every three to six months.
[Related: What Are Dermal Fillers?]
Several types of prescription injections exist, including the following:
- Botox
- Dysport
- Restylane®
- JUVÉDERM®
- and more
Two of the most popular injectables are Botox and Dysport. Let’s discuss the differences.
Botox
Botox is approved for treatment of fine lines and wrinkles around the forehead, crow’s feet, and glabellar lines (vertical lines between the eyebrows). The active ingredient in Botox is Botulinum Type A.
Recommended dosages of Botox by treatment area are:
- Glabellar lines: 20 total units, 5 injection sites
- Glabellar and forehead lines: 40 total units, 10 injection sites
- Crow’s feet: 24 total units, 6 injection sites
- All three types of wrinkles combined: 64 units
The non-invasive procedure only takes a few moments, and has typical side effects including swelling, bruising, headaches, numbness, and slight discomfort. These tend to resolve themselves shortly after the session.
Botox injections tend to be on the more expensive side when it comes to injectables, at around $550 per session (depending on how many units are needed).
[Related: Injectables Like BOTOX®: Alternatives for Wrinkles]
Dysport
Unlike Botox, Dysport is only approved for glabellar lines, although they both contain the same active ingredient of Botulinum Type A.
Recommended dosage for the treatment of glabellar lines is up to 50 units divided into five portions injected into the targeted area.
This injectable also only takes a few minutes per session, and has the same common side effects as Botox. While these injectables are almost exactly the same, Dysport fillers settle faster than Botox. With Dysport, you may end up seeing results more quickly, in some cases as soon as two days after the session.
Price-wise, Dysport is a bit less expensive than Botox, at $325-$425 a session depending on the number of units used.
Which One Should I Choose?
If you’re a qualifying candidate for injectables, both Botox and Dysport are considered safe when performed by a licensed professional. Botox is great for smaller areas such as crow’s feet and fine lines, while Dysport works well for wrinkles around the forehead and larger surface areas. Before committing to either Botox or Dysport, discuss with your doctor which one is right for you.
[Related: Dermal Fillers vs. Implants]
Interested in learning more about injectables? Contact Athré Facial Plastics and Med Spa today!
