New Injectable Dysport Tops Botox in Study

For years, BOTOX Cosmetic® has been known as the go-to injectable for treating facial wrinkles. Its low-risk and high payoff tendencies make it one of the easiest non-surgical procedures on the market. But a new study showed that good ol’ Botox may not be the most effective wrinkle solution—for one area, that is. The study revealed that Botox alternative Dysport is superior to treating crow’s feet, which are the fine lines located near the corners of the eyes. Crow’s feet are one of the most common areas treated by Botox, so the news may have an impact on Botox’s future.

Dysport Vs. Botox: The Study on Crow’s Feet

The study was recently published in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery. Researchers injected 90 participants with Botox on one side of the face and Dysport on the other. The technique was used in hopes of eliminating discrepancies in test results.

"In this study, we were injecting the two agents in the same person's face," said Dr. Cory Maas, a San Francisco plastic surgeon and lead author of the study. "The sites were far enough away from each other so that the agents could not have an effect on each other, and by doing a split-face study, we have taken all the variables out of the equation, like age, gender and ethnicity."

After a month, the participants were evaluated. Researchers found that while smiling, Dysport had done a more effective job at keeping crow’s feet at bay. There were reportedly no differences between the two injectables when the patients’ faces were relaxed.

Both Botox and Dysport use botulinum toxin A to temporarily relax the muscles, so that the contractions can no longer create wrinkles. But that’s where the similarities end—Dysport is a much newer product, as it was approved by the FDA in 2009. Its lower concentration, compared to Botox, has made some patients and doctors fans because they feel they have more control over the product. It’s also slightly more affordable than Botox when measured on a unit-by-unit basis, but it ends up being nearly the same price as Botox due to the differences in concentration. Many doctors use both Dysport and Botox interchangeably, but that may change due to the findings of the study.

Botox vs. Dysport: Study Accuracy

The makers of Botox, Allergan Inc, responded to the study in an emailed statement. "The key issue is the claim of superiority that is being made based on a small study," said spokesperson Kellie Lao. "In order for a superiority claim to be validated, it requires a large, well-controlled, double blind, head-to-head comparative trial and neither Allergan nor [the makers of Dysport] have published such a study that would substantiate any claims of superiority.” Lao added that the study’s findings were only after thirty days, when the effects of botulinum can last many months. “This study only reported data out to 30 days, so the long-term comparative efficacy is unknown,” she said. “This is of critical importance to patients and practitioners."

"Some will choose based on the cost of the product," said Dr. Gregory H. Branham, chief of facial plastic surgery at Washington University in Saint Louis. "The most important aspect of using these different botulinum toxins is not which one you get, but making sure that you are being injected by a reputable and respected physician who does a lot of these injections."

Scheduling Your Botox or Dysport Consultation

If you’d like to learn more about using Botox or Dysport on your skin, contact our representatives today! We’ll schedule a free consultation with a skincare specialist regarding which injectable is right for you.