It happens to all of us. We wake up one morning, look in the mirror, and boom: wrinkles. Our carefree, younger years have been replaced with heavy life stresses and responsibilities. That drugstore brand night cream in our medicine cabinet just isn’t cutting it anymore. However, having a bit more life experience under our belts doesn’t mean that we have to give in to aging. One treatment that can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines is Dysport, from the experts here at Radiant Divine Medical Spa in Avon, OH.
What Is Dysport?
Dysport is an injectable treatment created by Galderma aimed at reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on the face and neck. It can be particularly beneficial in treating moderate to severe lines and wrinkles on the forehead.
These lines can occur simply with age, but are primarily formed by repeated muscle movements over time, like frowning or furrowing of the brow. These are known as glabellar lines, and they can even occur in younger adults.
How Is It Different From Other Treatments?
Dysport is a prescription injection, medically known as abobotulinumtoxin A. It shares the same general makeup as other known brands like Botox, Jeuveau or Xeomin. All of these treatments are botulinum toxins, a group of medicines that have been proven to be a safe method of treating muscle, nerve and skin conditions, both in medical and cosmetic applications.
While some injectable treatments are known to give a “frozen” look, abobotulinumtoxin A has a different formulation. It doesn’t affect the muscles surrounding the ones that are directly treated, so the face is able to maintain a relaxed, expressive state. The end result is much more natural, and it is a great option for those looking to minimize the appearance of wrinkles without having their expressive personalities reduced.
Other Differences You Should Know About
All of these injectables are measured and dosed in units. Because this formulation is a bit different, the units cannot be comparable to any treatment you’ve had in the past. For example, if you have had Botox in the past for horizontal forehead lines, you may have received anywhere from 10-20 units. Dysport forehead treatment and Dysport brow lift would require 3 times the amount for a similar result.
Even though more units are necessary, the pricing per unit for abobotulinumtoxin A is much cheaper. This means that choosing this treatment will not cost you any more than a treatment with Botox would.
It’s also good to know that more units does not mean more discomfort! The needle used for injection is incredibly small; much smaller than a needle used for drawing blood. No numbing agents are required, and most people report no pain during the treatment. The whole process usually only takes about 30 minutes, and many are ready to return to work or resume normal activities right after.
How Does It Work?
As mentioned before, botulinum toxins are a group of prescription medications that are used in a variety of ways. It is formulated from the same bacteria that causes botulism. In scientific terms, it works by preventing the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from axon endings at the neuromuscular junction.
What Does That Actually Mean?
Botulinum toxins are broken down into various forms and given a label from A-G. When used in cosmetic or medical applications, you will almost always have a formulation that is either type A or B. Quite simply, the medicine itself works as a muscle relaxer. It blocks the signals that tell muscles to contract, effectively paralyzing the muscle. This makes it incredibly effective at treating various muscle spasms and diseases characterized by overactive muscles.
While we may not have a condition causing spasms in our facial muscles, stress can be a major factor in contributing to overactive muscle groups. When dealing with stress or intense concentration, our bodies can manifest those feelings in a physical way. Usually, this results in us tensing and contracting the muscles in our shoulders, neck, jaw, and face.
This muscle activation is usually not intentional on our part. Because it is a natural response for our body when encountering certain triggers, it can be extremely difficult for us to relax those facial muscles. Even with a focused, conscious effort to relax our face and release tension, it’s common for us to immediately return back to that state again. Our muscles can get so used to constantly being activated we literally are unable to maintain a relaxed, natural state. As a result, wrinkles and lines settle in.
Blocking the Muscle Response to Reduce Wrinkles
This treatment is so effective because it isn’t simply treating the skin or surface area like creams or serums. It actually works by temporarily preventing the cause of our wrinkles. When the medicine is injected under the skin and into the tissue, it blocks those messages for the muscle to contract, forcing them to finally relax. As a result, this allows the skin above the treated area to smooth over.
Typically, these injections are done at strategic spots in the face so that natural muscle movement is not inhibited. For example, wrinkles between the brow can usually be treated with just five injection points. These force the primary muscles causing the contraction points and wrinkles to relax but allow the rest of the facial muscles to move normally. Wrinkles are minimized, and our face isn’t frozen!
How Long Does It Last?
After receiving the injections, the wrinkle-smoothing effects are typically noticeable within 3-5 days. The full effect will be seen within 10-14 days from treatment. Like most of the other injectable treatments, the skin will remain smooth and relaxed for at least 3 months.
After that time the treatment will start to noticeably wear off. We recommend most of our clients to follow up and have another round of treatment every 3 months or so if they want to maintain a youthful appearance.
Is It Safe?
Constantly seeing the term “toxin” along with “botulism” can be a bit intimidating, especially when it involves injecting it into our bodies. This is honestly a case where the technical terms are much scarier than the reality.
While there certainly are types of botulinum toxins that could be harmful if misused or overused, the formulations that are approved for cosmetic and medical applications have been around for years. All of these medicines have been rigorously tested for any risks or side effects prior to approval by the FDA. They are all held to extremely strict quality control standards, and the methods have been proven to be effective and safe when used appropriately in a clinical setting.
Dysport, in particular, has been tested and used for over 25 years and is one of the safest cosmetic treatments available. In fact, it’s become such a popular treatment that Galderma has reported over 97% of those who receive the treatment said they would do it again.
How You Can Ensure the Best Result
The safety standards for the medicine itself should be of utmost importance to anyone considering a cosmetic treatment. That being said, we also need to prioritize who actually performs the treatment.
While the treatment itself is noninvasive, the one administering the injections must be careful and qualified. Choosing the right provider will not only help improve comfort during the treatment but also help minimize any potential side effects afterwards.
Our Master Providers have undergone intensive training and treat each of our clients with the utmost care and consideration. Having this treatment done in a clean, respected medical facility by an experienced and knowledgeable professional will ensure a quality result.
Is It Right for Me?
For many men and women, this treatment is a great option for minimizing wrinkles and fine lines. Unfortunately, no one medical treatment is perfect for everyone. As with any cosmetic treatment, we each need to determine if it is the right choice for us as individuals.
There are some who might not qualify for this treatment and may need to consider other alternatives. Take a look at the list below to see if Dysport could be right for you:
Ask About Dysport If You:
- Want to reduce wrinkle lines on your forehead or browline
- Are looking for a natural result
- Want the ability to appropriately convey facial expressions
- Want a fast and easy treatment
- Are under the age of 65
Where Can I Learn More?
If you’re ready to get rid of those pesky wrinkles and regain a youthful look, we recommend reaching out to speak with one of our Master Providers. We are more than happy to answer any of your questions or concerns you may have and will be able to determine if this is the right course of treatment for you.
Call us at Radiant Divine Medical Spa in Avon, OH to set up a consultation today!