West Orange Dysport doctors

Both Botox (onabotulinumtoxin A) and Dysport (abobotulinumtoxin A) are forms of botulinum toxin A. They both both FDA-approved therapeutic muscle-relaxing agents that target the muscles of facial expression that cause wrinkles. For the most part, they can be used interchangeably if equivalent dosages (usually one unit of Botox to three units of Dysport) are used.

A couple of differences between them may make the injecting physician choose one over the other. Dysport diffuses farther than Botox, and its onset of action is faster. The faster onset of action is great, usually within a few days as opposed to two weeks.

The diffusion can be a plus or a minus. In larger areas like the forehead (provided the injections are placed high enough above the brows) or even crow's feet, Dysport may be more beneficial to address the wrinkles with fewer injections.

In areas like the glabella or brows, I prefer Botox because it is more precise. Diffusion in those area may result in drooping of the eyelids (eyelid ptosis).

Both are excellent products for reduction of dynamic wrinkles (wrinkles present when the face is in motion but not at rest) provided the injecting physician is a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon with proper training and experience in botulinum toxin injections.

Botox (onabotulinumtoxin A) has the following ingredients:

• botulinum toxin type A produced from fermentation of Hall strain Clostridium botulinum type A
• casein hydrolysate
• yeast extract
• human albumin

Dysport (abobotulinumtoxin A) has the following ingredients:

• botulinum toxin type A
• human albumin
• lactose
• Dysport may contain cow’s milk protein.

If you are allergic to any of the ingredients in one of these products, you should not use it.  The makers of these medications also warn that if you have severe allergies to multiple products or medications, caution is advised in using these products.  That is because if the person is allergic to multiple substances, they may develop allergies to other products easier than a person who does not.

Otherwise, if you have allergies that are not part of the ingredients in these products and if you don't have a history of multiple allergies, there should not be a problem using them.

Any injection including Dysport or Botox runs the risk of swelling or bruising.  This results from the needle used, not the substance being injected.  Make sure a very fine needle is used.  I use a 32 guage needle, the smallest one available.