You’re curious about smoothing out lines and wrinkles, and automatically think “I want Botox.” But after speaking with your provider, it turns out there is a second option – Dysport.

What is Dysport and will it provide the same effect as Botox? The simple answer is: Dysport is simply a different brand of the same active ingredient that is in Botox. And yes, it will provide the same effect as Botox.

Dysport was successfully imported to the U.S. from Europe in 2009 and provided an alternative to Botox for dermatologists and consumers.

Both Botox and Dysport are neuromodulators and are extremely effective in smoothing out the perpendicular frown lines between eyebrows, the horizontal lines across the forehead, crow’s feet, wrinkles around the neck and nasal area, and eyebrow lines.

The differences between Botox and Dysport have in the past been compared to the difference between Bayer Aspirin, Excedrin and Anacin. All have the exact same active ingredient, aspirin.

What are the similarities between Dysport and Botox?

• Both products are neuromodulators that are powered by the derivatives of the same bacterium, botulinum toxin type A.
• Both work by relaxing the specific muscles in a person’s face that are either over-active or that cause frown or furrowed brow lines, crow’s feet and other wrinkles.
• The beneficial results of both Botox and Dysport can last anywhere from 3-4 months.
• They can also both be used as a medical treatment in other parts of the body.

What are the differences between Dysport and Botox?

• Botox is made by Allergan, and Dysport is made by Medicis Aesthetics.
• Botox shows results usually between 5-7 days after being administered, while Dysport takes effect in many people a full 48 hours sooner, and a minority of people seeing effects in as soon as a day.
• The smaller size of the molecules and less number of proteins in Dysport means it spreads more widely and evenly from the injection site than Botox.
• Many clinical practitioners, experienced with both products, have observed that Botox is especially good at extremely specific and targeted wrinkle corrections, while Dysport, due to its wider and more even diffusion, holds the edge in targeting imperfections like crow’s feet or forehead wrinkles.

Wrapping Up

Finally, it must be said that healthy competition is never a bad thing. Allergan had a virtual monopoly in the U.S. in this market for nearly 20 years, while in Europe both Dysport and Botox were being used for a long time as well.

Hopefully you now have a better understanding of the differences, and similarities, of these products. And, are well armed with information when discussing these two options with your treatment provider.

When it comes to injectables like Botox or Dysport, while there are some differences that might sway you, the skill and expertise of exactly who is doing the injecting is the most important factor here, so research your practitioner and make sure to ask plenty of questions. This is not so much for safety reasons, as both Dysport and Botox are very safe in general, but because avoiding annoying side-effects and achieving the most desirous, positive and long-lasting results are what matter.

 

What It Is

Hydrafacial refers to a non-invasive skin treatment that combines various methods, including exfoliation, cleansing, anti-oxidant protection, extraction, and hydration. It is good for any skin type, especially, aging and sensitive skins. This is according to aesthetic experts, including Haideh Hirmand, MD, an aesthetic plastic surgeon and a private practitioner in Upper East Side.

Hydrafacial uses patented vortex technology to infuse desirable nutrients into your skin. The nutrients include red algae extract, magnesium peptides, copper, zinc, and horse chestnut seed extract. Because of its mechanical nature, the treatment lasts shortly, usually less than one hour. If properly done, hydrafacial nourishes, moisturizes, and soothes your skin, resulting in a more beautiful and younger skin free of wrinkles, fine lines, acne, brown spots, hyperpigmentation, and congested pores.

How Hydrafacial Works

The treatment works by:

• Removing dead cells from your skin
• Detoxifying your skin
• Infusing your skin with essential nutrients that enhance the production of collagen and elastin, which make the skin strong and elastic
• Providing long-lasting skin hydration
• Opening your skin pores by removing debris and dirt

How It Is Done

The treatment consists of various stages which help in detoxification of the skin, dead skin cells removal, and extraction of any debris from your skin pores. The steps also provide long lasting hydration and essential nutrient support to enhance production of collagen and elastin proteins. The steps include:

1. Vortex Cleansing and Exfoliation

The purpose of this stage is to rid your skin of any deal cells by use of water-based exfoliation. This step is also applied to clear your skin of sebum to facilitate the penetration of skin care products. Sebum acts as glue that traps small particles, which block your skin pores.

2. Loosening of Pores

This is the second stage you will undergo during hydrafacial. It is a pore cleansing step that involves the infusion of your skin pores with a mixture of glycolic and salicylic acids. These acids have anti-inflammatory properties, which help in relieving the symptoms of acne. No wonder most acne treatment skin care products contain these acids. The acids loosen the debris, dirt, and other foreign materials that may have clogged your skin pores.

3. Pore Extraction

Pore extraction stage involves the removal of loosened foreign materials from the pores using a hydrafacial applicator. This step ensures deep skin cleaning, which enhances the penetration of skin care products. It also prevents your skin from future acne attacks.

4. Serum Fusion

This is the last step of the procedure. Here, your hydrafacial expert infuses chemicals including antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and peptides into your skin. These ingredients are beneficial to your skin in many ways. Peptides, for instance, help in replacing any dead cells. Antioxidants are helpful in the repair of any damaged parts of your skin. The hyaluronic acid reduces the signs of aging by eliminating wrinkles from your skin, leaving you with a younger look.

Other than the four steps above, hydrafacial may involves additional treatments, including shining LED lights over your skin to reduce redness and irritation, as well as enhance blood circulation in your skin. The lights are also helpful in stimulating the production of elastin and collagen, which are the proteins that give your skin elasticity and strength.

Recovering From Hydrafacial

Typically, you will not experience downtime after the treatment. The treatment does not involve any pain and is usually completed within one hour. You can go back to your daily routing immediately after the procedure.

Other Areas Other Than Face

Although hydrafacial is majorly a facial procedure, it can also be done on other areas of your body. It can be applied on the skin of your neck, arms, and hands.

At What Age Do Most People Start Using Hydrafacial?

Hydrafacial is appropriate for any age as long as your skin is in need of the treatment. Since people may have different skin concerns, the age at which people begin to use this treatment varies from one person to another depending on the purpose for which a person seeks the treatment. Remember, it restores your skin and can also be tailored to address the specific concerns of your skin. You may know that you need hydrafacial when you begin to see the following skin signs:

• Wrinkles
• Fine lines
• Acne
• Clogged or congested pores
• Hyperpigmentation, including red, dark, and brown spots
• Dry skin due to poor hydration
• Oily skin
• Increased sensitivity

Can Hydrafacial Be Preventive?

Hydrafacial combines both corrective and preventive skin care. The treatment contains antioxidants, which protect your skin against free radical damage and signs of aging.

Benefits of Hydrafacial

Hydrafacial is mainly done for aesthetic benefit. However, the procedure has other benefits beyond just this. It is used to treat acne and signs of aging. It also treats sensitive skins and prevents the buildup of excess oil on your skin. Remember, the procedure can be customized to suit your skin needs by choosing specific moisturizing and hydrating serum to address the specific problems of your skin.

Drawbacks

Unlike laser procedures, hydrafacial does not involve vaporization of your skin cells. This ensures that your skin stays free of inflammation and crusting after the procedure. However, you may experience redness and slight tightness just after the procedure. You may also experience skin irritation as a result of the suctioning and liquid impact on your skin. The good thing with these side effects is that they do not last for long and usually disappear within one hour.

According to Jillian Wright, an aesthetic expert and proprietor of Jillian Wright Clinical Skin Spa, you should consult a dermatologist if you are taking Accutane or suffer from acne before attempting to undergo hydrafacial. The expert also warns that the procedure is not suitable for people with heart problems and pregnant women because it involves microcurrent therapy, which is dangerous to such people.

To avoid any possible side effects, it is advisable to be careful when approaching hydrafacial treatment. You need to hire the services of a well-trained expert who understands the procedure well.

The bacterium clostridium botulinum is the toxin used to produce the product with the brand-name Botox. In large amounts, this toxin can produce botulism. Paralysis is one of the more severe symptoms of botulism. However, scientists have learned that if the botulism toxin is diluted and small amounts of it are injected into selected muscles, the muscles can relaxed in a controlled way.

Toward the end of the 1980’s, the FDA approved the use of Botox in medical procedures when it was learned that Botox was effective at treating ailments like blepharospasm and strabismus. In the early 2000’s, the FDA approved the use of Botox in cosmetic treatments. Since that time Botox has been used to treat dynamic wrinkles. Examples of dynamic wrinkles include crow’s feet and frown lines on the forehead. Other cosmetic uses for Botox include preventing auxiliary hyperhidrosis.

 

Botox works by blocking the signals between nerves and muscles. The treated muscle loses the capacity to tighten forcefully. As a result, wrinkles in the skin begin to soften and relax.

Botox is administered via an injection using a fine needle. When the injections are performed properly, only the specified muscle is treated, and the patient experiences little to no discomfort. Botox injections only take a few minutes. In most cases, patients do not require anesthesia.

Botox begins to affect the treated muscles the moment it is injected. However, it may take between three to seven days for the effects of Botox to be noticeable.

At What Age Do People Start Using Botox?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, seven million Botox injections were performed last year. Experts comment that more and more younger patients are coming in for preventative treatments. In fact, in 2013, the JAMA Dermatology, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/article-abstract/1737181 comments that it is “rarely too early” to begin Botox treatments that are “conservative and thoughtful.”

Most people start Botox treatments when dynamic wrinkles become visible, usually in their mid-30’s to early 40’s. Elizabeth Tanzi, who works as a clinical professor at the Department of Dermatology at the George Washington University Medical Center in Washington DC commented that most Caucasian women who have not had a lot of sun damage respond best to Botox somewhere between age 35 and 40. Caucasian woman who have had extensive sun damage may want to start when they are in their 30’s.

The age limit is a little higher for women with darker skin tones. An appropriate age for them may be somewhere between 40 and 45. But that will also vary depending on their circumstances. If a person has had a lot of sun exposure or if they have made lifestyle choices such as smoking and living in high altitudes that are bad for the skin, then it may be appropriate to start sooner.

Most professionals agree that there is no chronological age that’s best to start using Botox. Instead, it’s important to look at the wrinkles themselves. When dynamic wrinkles linger after a person has stopped making facial expressions, then it is time for them to consider Botox treatments.

Can Botox Be Preventative?

The FDA has approved the use of Botox for individuals between the ages of 18 and 65. Many are turning to Botox in their 20’s with the hopes of preventing the formation of wrinkles in the future. The same Journal of the American Medical Association’s Dermatology article mentioned earlier says that getting noninvasive treatments earlier could make the results last longer and even make the need for re-injections not necessary.

Dr. Kenneth Arndt, the co-author of the article, emphasized in a later interview that they were not advocating using this treatment for infants, teenagers, or children. He also comments on the benefits of preventing age-related issues as opposed to trying to correct some later.

Of course, other doctors see things differently. For example, Dr. Sarah Tonks, from Omniya clinic in Knightsbridge, U.K believes that individuals who have hyper mobile faces, which is a face that does a lot of frowning and smiling, may want to look into treatment in their 20’s to stop wrinkles. However, individuals who don’t have hyper mobile muscles may not benefit from the treatment.

A potential side effect of using Botox too early can be muscle atrophy. If your muscles are not used for years on end, they will begin to wither. Smaller facial muscles mean less facial volume, which in turn makes you look older.

Is Botox Only Cosmetic?

Botox is not just a beauty treatment. Before Botox was used for cosmetic reasons, it was used to treat disease. For example, Dr. Alan Scott was the first one to use Botox to treat a patient with cross eyes. When Botox is injected into the muscles that control eye movement, they relax, making the patient look less cross eyed.

The FDA approved the use of Botox to treat migraines. Patients will receive multiple injections around their head and neck, releasing muscle stiffness, thereby minimizing the intensity and duration of migraines. Botox is used as a treatment of last resort.

Individuals with a hyperactive bladder can be treated with Botox. Botox can prevent the bladder muscles from having spasms. This has been a life changer for individuals battling with this embarrassing condition.

Final Thoughts about Botox

Botox is an effective tool to help individuals plagued with dynamic wrinkles. Botox can be administered in under 30 minutes. Patients will begin to see the effects of Botox within the first week after their injection. Results should last for three to four months.

Botox produces little to no side effects. Most side effects are mild and result from the injection. They include redness, bruising, and mild swelling. The drawbacks to Botox use are negligible because Botox only affects the treated area for a few months. Once that time has passed, the treatment wears off. Unless the patient has a touch up treatment, their muscles go back to their pre-treatment functionality.