Botox vs. Dysport: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve been looking in the mirror and frowning at your wrinkles, you may be considering a cosmetic procedure to smooth out those creases. In that case, you have a few treatment options to consider.

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Two of the most common are injections of Botox® or Dysport®. To use a sciencey explanation, both are a neuromodulator made from botulinum toxin type A. In more practical terms, both:

Block nerve signals to relax muscles and reduce wrinkles that facial expressions cause
Offer temporary results that last a few months
Can be repeated to maintain your appearance
Have similar side effects, like temporary bruising, redness or swelling at the injection site

But while the treatments share similarities, there are definite differences between them. We asked cosmetic surgeon James Zins, MD, to break down Botox vs. Dysport.

Key differences between Botox and Dysport

A few subtle differences separate Botox and Dysport. Here are a few that stand out.

The difference between Botox and Dysport

Approved treatment areas

When it comes to cosmetic wrinkle treatments, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Botox for more uses than Dysport. (Approvals can vary by country, too.)

Botox is FDA-approved for treatment of:

Forehead lines
Frown lines between your eyebrows (glabellar lines or “11 lines”)
Crow’s feet

Dysport is approved only for frown lines. But it should be noted that Dysport is often used “off-label” to treat wrinkles in other facial areas. (Off-label prescribing is a legal practice where healthcare providers prescribe drugs for reasons other than the approved use.)

How much they spread

Dysport is often described as having a wider spread than Botox, meaning it may extend out farther from the injection point. This can be helpful when treating larger areas, like on the forehead.

But that doesn’t mean the more limited spread of Botox should be viewed as a negative. In fact, that smaller range can be useful in treating more targeted areas, like around the eyes.

How fast they work

Dysport tends to kick in more quickly because of its formulation and how it spreads after injection. It uses a different protein complex than Botox, which may help it reach the targeted nerve endings faster.

That said, the difference in onset is usually minimal. Both usually start working within a few days. How quickly you see results can also depend on the:

Treatment area
Dosage
Injection technique
Body’s response

“The timing difference is usually small and often not significant enough to be the deciding factor,” says Dr. Zins. “Botox and Dysport have similar duration of action, too, both lasting three to four months at equally potent dosage. Any difference is not clinically significant.”

Dosing units

A defined “unit” of Botox and Dysport is not equal. In general, one unit of Botox equals three units of Dysport. The difference comes down to how each manufacturer puts together their product.

“Dysport usually requires a higher number of units to achieve a similar effect,” notes Dr. Zins.

But because Dysport costs less per unit than Botox, the bill for either treatment is similar.

Do either cause adverse effects?

If Botox or Dysport is injected into neighboring muscles from the intended target area, it can temporarily cause:

Drooping of the eyelid
Drooping of the eyebrow
Abnormal eyebrow shape

“This emphasizes the importance of seeking an experienced physician for your injections,” says Dr. Zins. “There is an art to injecting to achieve the best results.”

Which is better?

There’s a reason why Botox and Dysport both exist: Each works while being well-tolerated and safe. Neither one is inherently “better” than the other. It all comes down to which is best for your specific needs.

“The better choice is usually the one that best fits your treatment plan,” says Dr. Zins. “In certain situations, one might be more beneficial than the other. Talk to your provider about which might be right for you.”

And starting with one product doesn’t mean you’re locked into using it forever either. It’s not unusual for people to switch from one product to the other.

“Both Botox and Dysport can be highly effective — and neither is automatically better for every patient or treatment area,” reinforces Dr. Zins. “In many cases, the best choice just comes down to how your body responds.”