Wrinkles? Not anymore. Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a smoother, refreshed look.
Botox® and Dysport both help to prevent the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that attaches to muscle cells and causes them to contract. Because they prevent this from happening, the muscles become less stiff and essentially “soften” in the treated area(s). When the pull of the muscle relaxes, the overlying skin generally flattens out – thus reducing wrinkles and/or creases.
Dysport is injected directly into the neuromuscular tissue in the desired area, using a very small needle. Dr. Janowski has perfected a technique he calls the “snap technique” in order to make the procedure virtually painless. The entire procedure usually only takes a few minutes, and you can go back to all regular daily activities immediately afterwards.
Botox® and Dysport are very similar – neurotoxins formed from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. From a scientific perspective, both are neurotoxins. Botox®’s scientific name is onabotulinumtoxin A and Dysport’s is abobtulinumtoxin A. The difference in the names is because Dysport is a fermented version of bacterium Clostridium botulinum type A, whereas Botox® is not made from a fermented variety.Â
The result is that Botox® weakens or paralyzes muscles near the injection site by blocking certain nerves. Dysport, however, relaxes muscles by blocking the release of the chemical called acetylcholine. Some studies have shown that Dysport may be more effective than Botox® in treating some areas, especially crow’s feet. This is because Dysport tends to have a bit of a larger dispersion area than Botox® (it is comprised of smaller molecules). This claim is controversial however.Â
Some studies suggest Dysport lasts longer than Botox®, while other studies suggest Botox® lasts longer than Dysport. So for longevity, the verdict is still out too. Confused yet? Don’t worry.
At the end of the day, whether Dysport or Botox® is best for you is a matter of personal preference.Â
Dr. J prefers Dysport (and he happens to be one of the top injectors in the country). You can watch the video above and he’ll walk you through his reasoning.
We get questions everyday about the differences between Botox®, Dysport, and Dermal Fillers. These are excellent questions, as Botox®, Dysport, and Dermal Fillers work in different ways, and are used together for the best effect.
Botox® and Dysport are neurotoxins that relaxes the muscles that cause the expressions leading to wrinkles. They are mostly used in the upper face to relax expression lines and prevent new ones from forming. Dysport typically lasts for about 3 months, and have the best effects when repeated regularly.
Dermal Fillers do exactly what their name implies – they fill in places on the face that have lost volume. All faces lose volume as we age, and you may notice hollower cheeks, sunken eyes, and thin lips. These are all natural occurrences because as we age, the collagen in our skin that makes our faces appear youthful and full deteriorates. Fillers replace what Mother Nature is losing. Dermal fillers (like Restylane and Radiesse) use naturally occurring substances in the body to add volume to places that have lost it. Fillers can fill in wrinkles, add volume to cheeks, and plump up lips.
Fillers typically last between 6 months to a year – although there are new fillers that can last even longer now like Sculptra, and fat transfer.
People often ask if receiving filler, botox, or dysport injections hurt. While you are receiving an injection in your face, the good news is that each contain lidocaine – a pain killer, which means that you are being numbed as you are receiving the fillers. Most people experience no pain and will actually feel somewhat numb in the injection area after the procedure.
Injecting properly is an art, and you definitely want to choose an experienced provider. Each person’s face is unique and knowing where to add in filler, botox, or dysport, and how much requires years of careful practice and experience. It should look natural, and an experienced provider will know how to make you look like a natural, improved version of yourself.
Many of our new patients ask us if Dysport® is safe – as it is, in fact, neurotoxins. In order to answer that question, we want to share a little bit about the history of Botox®. Botox® (onabotulinumtoxin A) was first used for medical purposes in 1989. Developed by Allergan, which was (and still is) a pharmaceutical company that develops treatments for eye issues, Botox® was originally approved for the treatment of muscle spasms. That is because what Botox® does is it relaxes the muscles into which it is injected. You may have seen advertisements touting the use of Botox® for Migraines, eye concerns, or even bladder-control issues, and it works in all these cases by relaxing muscles.
The botulinum toxin is actually FDA approved to treat a myriad of “conditions”, including: chronic migraines, excessive underarm sweating, overactive bladder, crossed eyes, and severe neck spasms. It’s also approved for cosmetic uses in both the upper and lower face.
Botox® and Dysport are very well-tested, well-researched and widely used drugs. Allergan reports patient satisfaction with Botox® at 98%, which is an incredibly high number. In 2013 alone, over 5 million American received Botox® treatments, and the number of users only continues to grow. Since 2002, when Botox® was approved for cosmetic purposes, no long term adverse side effects have been reported. The most common side effect usually seen is some pinpoint bruising at the injection site. About once a year, we also hear about someone having a mild headache post treatment from Dysport.
The best way to ensure you have a great Dysport treatment is to have your injections done by a skilled, highly experiences physician. An experienced physician will best understand your facial anatomy and the muscles in your face, and will be able to give you the most exact does and precise placement. A physician will also be able to treat you in the safest and most sterile environment and will be able to handle any complication that arises.
Dr. Janowski is one of the most experienced injectors in the state, and has seen thousands of patients since 2004. He is currently ranked #1 in Colorado (and top 20 in the United States) for his expertise in injectables, and is an official trainer to other Dr’s on use and technique.
He has even developed his own technique, called the “snap technique” in order to minimize pain and bruising, and to ensure longer lasting and more natural results. This is his own specialized way of holding the needle so that he is able to insert into the skin as quickly as possible. Once the needle is under the skin, it generally doesn’t hurt – and he can then carefully place the product in the most ideal location.
Dr. Janowski has received one-on-one master training with world-renowned physicians from around the world, such as Dr. DeMaio of Brazil, Dr. Yoelin of California, Dr. Rajaniof Portland, and Dr. Vieggarof Switzerland.
