Dysport for Wrinkles: What to Know

Dysport (abobotulinumtoxin A) is an injection for wrinkle treatment. This noninvasive procedure temporarily decreases muscle movement in the target areas to soften the appearance of glabellar lines, the vertical wrinkles most prominent on your forehead in between your eyebrows. It’s also sometimes used for certain medical conditions.

Dysport was originally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2009. You may be a candidate for Dysport if you want to treat glabellar wrinkles and you’re under the age of 65.

The average cost of Dysport is $450 per session. Dysport isn’t covered by medical insurance for the use of wrinkles since it’s considered a cosmetic procedure. Ask your doctor about the precise costs before undergoing this procedure to avoid any surprise bills. They may also offer a payment plan.

Insurance may cover Dysport injections if they’re used for medical conditions, such as muscle spasticity.

There’s little to no recovery time required, so the amount of time you take off from work is up to you. You might consider taking the day of the procedure off as well as the following day in case any mild side effects occur.

Dysport belongs to a class of injections called neuromodulators. Other injections in this class include Botox and Xeomin. All use a form of botulinum toxin, but they’re used to target different areas of your face.

Neuromodulators like Dysport reduce the appearance of lines by relaxing and limiting the movement of muscles around the injection site. Your doctor injects a small amount of the substance directly into your muscle.

As your muscles relax, the skin above them becomes smoother, thereby reducing wrinkles. It’s important to note that these effects are only temporary.

Decreasing movement is meant to prevent the formation or deepening of wrinkles, which are caused by repetitive movement over time, along with heredity and aging.

Dysport targets glabellar lines. These vertical wrinkles are located on your forehead. They most often start to form in between your eyebrows during early adulthood. As you age, they can become more prominent due to decreased elasticity. They can also become more noticeable when you squint, giving you a frowning or angry appearance.

Dysport is intended for people who have moderate to severe glabellar lines only. If you have mild wrinkles of this nature, you may not qualify for this type of procedure.

Sometimes Dysport is used in adults and children with severe muscle spasticity of the limbs. Dysport is FDA-approved for use in treatment for lower limb spasticity in children, spasticity in adults, and cervical dystonia, which affects neck and head movement.

Dysport injections are given in your doctor’s office. Specialized doctors, such as dermatologists and aesthetic surgeons, are usually the most qualified to do this procedure.

During the procedure, your doctor may inject Dysport in five different areas around your forehead and eyebrows.

To prevent pain, your doctor may apply a small amount of topical anesthetic. You might feel slight pressure from the injections, but the overall procedure shouldn’t cause any significant pain or discomfort.

The procedure itself takes minutes. Most of the time spent at your doctor’s office involves preparation. Unless any side effects occur, you can leave immediately after your Dysport injections are complete.

Your doctor will provide follow-up instructions. This includes a recommended timeline for redoing the procedure in a few months’ time.

You can go home immediately after Dysport injections. While you might experience slight side effects, there’s virtually no recovery time needed.

You may see results as soon as two days after treatment, and these can last for up to four months. One study of 104 patients who had Dysport injections reported an 88.5 percent success rate in wrinkle treatment 30 days after injection. Since these effects aren’t permanent, you’ll need more injections after a few months to maintain smoothness in your forehead.

Take care to avoid rubbing the site of the injections, as this can increase your risk for side effects and the spread of the toxin. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you’ll want to wait at least two hours before exercise and other forms of physical activity.

Before approving you as a candidate for Dysport injections, your doctor will do a thorough check of your medical history.

Your doctor may also recommend that you stop taking certain medications and supplements prior to your injections. These include but are not limited to:

• allergy medications
• blood thinners
• cold medications
• muscle relaxers
• sleep aids

Despite the efficacy of Dysport, there are risks and side effects to consider. Some of these side effects are mild and tend to resolve on their own. These include:

• headache
• pain at the injection site
• allergic reactions at injection site, such as rash and hives
• sinus issues
• sore throat
• eyelid swelling
• nausea
• upper respiratory tract infection

Call your doctor if any of these symptoms worsen or don’t subside within a day or two. People who take muscle relaxers or anticholinergic drugs may experience worsening symptoms because of drug interactions with Dysport.

While rare, Dysport carries the risk of being transported to other parts of your body from the initial injection site. This is known as the “distant spread of toxin effect.” It can cause botulinum toxicity, which may cause:

• breathing and swallowing difficulties
• blurry or double vision
• droopy eyelids
• muscle weakness
• difficulty speaking
• spasticity
• urinary incontinence

If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, call your doctor immediately. You may need emergency medical treatment to prevent the further spread of Dysport.

Other considerations

Dysport isn’t intended for pregnant women or children under age 2.

Dysport injections for wrinkles are intended for adults only.

It’s also not recommended if you have a milk allergy or have had allergic reactions to other botulinum toxin products.

Both Dysport and Botox are forms of botulinum toxin used for wrinkle treatment, but they have a few differences. Consider some of the following similarities and differences between both injections.

Dysport is typically administered by a dermatologist. However, not every dermatologist is qualified. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery recommends looking for a dermatologic surgeon that has experience with using neuromodulators.

It’s a good idea to meet with your dermatologist before your procedure. You can ask them directly about their experiences with Dysport. They may even have a portfolio of pictures to show you so you know what to expect from the procedure.