Thanks to the advancement of science and technology, the world of aesthetics has become robust with in-office treatment options that can smooth fine lines better than any topical cream on the market (and without going under the knife!). With so many options to pick from, many people choose to bounce from treatment to treatment, hoping to find a multi-faceted approach to anti-aging.
While we obviously love experimenting with various procedures, there is one treatment on the market that many people (us included) can’t stop going back to: Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA)* to temporarily smooth the frown lines between your brows. In fact, a clinical study of Dysport looked at subject satisfaction and safety with two treatments of Dysport, six months apart in 120 subjects with moderate to severe frown lines. The DREAM study found that after two treatments, 98% of users** say they want to receive Dysport again.1§ So, what makes this treatment a #DREAMtox? We tapped Denver, CO dermatologist Joel Cohen, MD, to explain exactly what Dysport is and why it has such a loyal fan base. (*Please see Full Important Safety Information, including Distant Spread of Toxin Effect Boxed Warning at the end of this article.)
What is Dysport?
To put it simply, Dysport is a prescription neuromodulator injection that helps to temporarily minimize muscle contractions for the frown lines between the brows. Once injected, it helps smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles along the area between your eyebrows (these are called glabellar lines or the “elevens”).
“Dysport is a type of neuromodulator that works on the neuromuscular junction to prevent the release of acetylcholine, which is used for the nerve to communicate with the muscle and cause it to contract,” explains Dr. Cohen. By reducing these muscle contractions, the skin we see appears smoother.
What can patients expect after they undergo a treatment with Dysport?
The results of Dysport are fast-acting2-4‡ and natural-looking, with 97% of users** feeling the results looked natural.1§ As the formula begins to work, you’ll see less furrowing of the brows, thereby smoothing out those “elevens” that extend upward along your forehead.
Dysport is also long-lasting,3-5† with results that may last up to five months.3-5† “By preventing the release of acetylcholine, which causes nerve and muscle interaction, we know that for the next several months, patients should have improvement in [the look of frown lines],” explains Dr. Cohen.
Are there any side effects to be aware of?
As with any in-office treatment, it’s important to be aware of any possible side effects. “Most of the time, things go very well,” explains Dr. Cohen. “But there are times when patients can have some temporary bruising.”
The most common side effects are nose and throat irritation, headache, injection site pain, injection site skin reaction, upper respiratory tract infection, eyelid swelling, eyelid drooping, sinus inflammation, and nausea. See the bottom of this article for more important safety information, including Distant Spread of Toxin Effect Boxed Warning.
Why do so many people want to try this treatment more than once?
According to the DREAM study, 95% of users** were satisfied with just two treatments per year, and 96% of users** agree that they feel happy and refreshed after treatment.1§
So, why does this injectable have such a high satisfaction rate? Dr. Cohen says the history of safety and efficacy of Dysport—which became FDA-approved in 2009—speaks for itself. “My patients have been happy with their experience with Dysport in my office,” he says. “I think they like seeing it work within two to three days2-4‡ and I think that they’re happy with the overall improvement that they get.”
Pia Baroncini, content creator and recent Dysport patient, is living proof of patient satisfaction. “I’ve fallen in love with Dysport and I’m obsessed with how natural my results looked,” she says. “The treatment was quick and easy, and the best part is that the results are long-lasting3-5† so I can get treated now and know it’ll last all summer long!”
With these glowing reviews, it’s no surprise that this treatment has become a cult-favorite.
Experience the Dysport Difference
Dysport has a loyal following for a reason—not only does this popular wrinkle-reducer deliver visible, fast-acting2-4‡ results, it also provides a natural look (no “frozen” foreheads here!). Just be sure to book your consultation with a trained and experienced provider.
§Subject-reported at 12 months (N=120) after two treatments six months apart in a phase IV, multicenter, prospective study.
**Users=clinical trial subjects
† GL-1 and GL-3 evaluated subjects for at least 150 days following treatment. Based on a ≥1-Grade GLSS improvement from baseline utilizing data from two double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled pivotal studies (GL-1, GL-3) in a post-hoc analysis.
‡A secondary endpoint based on Kaplan-Meier estimates of cumulative rate of time to onset of response. The median time to onset of response was 3 days in GL-1 (Dysport 55/105 [52%], Placebo 3/53 [6%]) and GL-2 (Dysport 36/71 [51%], Placebo 9/71 [13%]), and 2 days in GL-3 (Dysport 110/200 [55%], Placebo 4/100 [4%]).
1. Data on file. 43USD1802 Clinical Study Report. Fort Worth, TX: Galderma Laboratories, L.P., 2020.
2. Data on file. GL-Y-97-52120-085 (GL-2) Clinical Study Report. Fort Worth, TX: Galderma Laboratories, L.P., 2007.
3. Data on file. GL-Y-97-52120-719 (GL-1) Clinical Study Report. Fort Worth, TX: Galderma Laboratories, L.P., 2007.
4. Data on file. GL-Y-97-52120-718 (GL-3) Clinical Study Report. Fort Worth, TX: Galderma Laboratories, L.P., 2007.
5. Data on file. MA-35497. Post Hoc Analysis. Fort Worth, TX: Galderma Laboratories, L.P., 2017
Important Safety Information
Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription injection for temporary improvement in the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults less than 65 years of age.
What is the most important information you should know about Dysport? Spread of Toxin Effects: In some cases, the effects of Dysport and all botulinum toxin products may affect areas of the body away from the injection site. Symptoms can happen hours to weeks after injection and may include swallowing and breathing problems, loss of strength and muscle weakness all over the body, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, or loss of bladder control. Swallowing and breathing problems can be life threatening and there have been reports of death. You are at the highest risk if these problems are pre‐existing before injection.
These effects could make it unsafe for you to drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities.
Do not have Dysport treatment if you: are allergic to Dysport or any of its ingredients (see the end of the Medication Guide for a list of ingredients), are allergic to cow’s milk protein, had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product, such as Myobloc®, Botox®, or Xeomin®, have a skin infection at the planned injection site, under 18 years of age, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
The dose of Dysport is not the same as the dose of any other botulinum toxin product and cannot be compared to the dose of any other product you may have used.
Tell your doctor about any swallowing or breathing difficulties and all your muscle or nerve conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease], myasthenia gravis, or Lambert‐Eaton syndrome, which may increase the risk of serious side effects including difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing. Serious allergic reactions have occurred with the use of Dysport. Dry eye has also been reported.
Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you have surgical changes to your face, very weak muscles in the treatment area, any abnormal facial change, injection site inflammation, droopy eyelids or sagging eyelid folds, deep facial scars, thick oily skin, wrinkles that can’t be smoothed by spreading them apart, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal and other natural products. Using Dysport with certain other medicines may cause serious side effects. Do not start any new medicines while taking Dysport without talking to your doctor first.
Especially tell your doctor if you: have received any other botulinum toxin product, such as Myobloc® (rimabotulinumtoxinB), Botox® (onabotulinumtoxinA), or Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA), in the last four months or any in the past (be sure your doctor knows exactly which product you received), have recently received an antibiotic by injection, take muscle relaxants, take an allergy or cold medicine, or take a sleep medicine.
Common Side Effects
The most common side effects are nose and throat irritation, headache, injection site pain, injection site skin reaction, upper respiratory tract infection, eyelid swelling, eyelid drooping, sinus inflammation, and nausea.
Ask your doctor if Dysport is right for you.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Dysport Full Prescribing Information including Medication Guide at DysportUSA.com.
