Sponsored by Galderma
The treatment
Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA).* This injectable neuromodulator is FDA-approved to treat moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows, also called glabellar lines or “11s.” After injection, it starts working in as little as 24 hours to temporarily smooth these expression lines by preventing muscle contractions in the area, leaving you with natural-looking results that may last for up to five months.1-4†‡
*Please read full Important Safety Information, including Distant Spread of Toxin Effect Boxed Warning, at the bottom of the page. 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.
The provider
Dr. Brian Biesman, a board-certified oculoplastic surgeon in Nashville, Tennessee
Who makes a good candidate for Dysport?
“Patients who are good candidates for injection with Dysport are those who have lines that form when the [glabellar] muscles contract,” says Dr. Biesman. He explains that the injectable works by blocking the nerve’s signals to the muscles, temporarily smoothing moderate to severe frown lines between the brows.5
“Not everyone gets ‘11’ lines, but an awful lot of people do,” Dr. Biesman adds. “We see it in young people, so it doesn’t mean you’re getting older if you have these lines. It’s really just a reflection of the underlying action of the muscles and the anatomy of the individual.”
However, he says, “if someone has deep lines between their eyebrows when they’re not activating the muscles, Dysport can still play a role because you do need to relax the underlying muscles, but it will not improve the depth of those lines meaningfully. Those patients with deep lines present at rest will likely need filler, like Restylane.”
Why I got Dysport
I’ve been getting treated with neuromodulators for about a decade now. I used to request a more “frozen” appearance, but for the last few years, I’ve been wanting more movement and expression in my face. I’ve gotten Dysport in the past, and I love how natural-looking the results are. I feel like I can still react and show emotion, but I never get that angry, furrowed brow look.
Ironically, when I was younger, I was also more concerned about getting treated again the moment my results started showing signs of wearing off (usually around the three-month mark). More recently, I’ve found that I’m perfectly satisfied with getting injected twice a year. (So much better for my bank account and general desire to leave the house as little as possible.)
It had been six months since my last neuromodulator treatment when I went to see Dr. Biesman for Dysport. As you can see in my “before” photo, my “11s” were extremely noticeable when I frowned or squinted.
Photo of the author, an actual patient. Individual results may vary. 50 units. Day of treatment.
What my treatment was like
During my consultation with Dr. Biesman, he analyzed my face as I made various expressions and talked normally. He noted that my glabellar muscles are quite strong when contracted, making me a good candidate for treatment with Dysport.
The injection process was incredibly quick (just a few minutes) and painless. There is a slight pinch and minor stinging sensation at each of the five injection points, but it only lasts for a second, so there’s no need for numbing cream or even the use of a stress ball. I got 50 units in total.
There’s minimal downtime after treatment. 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.
I didn’t experience any side effects and continued on with my day as usual, except for the fact that I didn’t go horseback riding for a day after, since I didn’t want my tight helmet to cause any unwanted spreading of the injectable.
How long it takes to kick in
Dysport doesn’t work instantly, but it is fast-acting. Some patients may see results within 24 hours, but typically results appear two to three days after treatment.1-3‡ “If you’re [in my office] at noon and you’ve got a party at seven o’clock, it’s not going to be taking effect,” says Dr. Biesman. “But if you’re here on Monday and you’ve got something planned this weekend, you’ll probably see something by then. So it’s a relatively rapid onset of effect, but I still tell people three to five days is typical, with up to two weeks for the full effect.”
My results
At the three-day mark, I saw noticeable improvement. By day five I was totally happy with how well the Dysport had kicked in and was preventing muscle contractions, while still looking completely natural.
Two weeks after my appointment, I went back for a routine follow-up, where Dr. Biesman said the injections had settled in nicely and no touch-ups were needed.
Actual patient. Individual results may vary. 50 units. Two weeks after treatment.
Final verdict
I feel so much more confident and comfortable in my skin after getting Dysport.6§ My makeup applies better, I look more refreshed and youthful in photos, and my brows and eyelids feel less heavy.
I’m attending a wedding full of old friends and impressive acquaintances on day 17 post-treatment, and having Dysport ahead of this weekend was as much of a must-have as a manicure and great dress.
Footnotes
* 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.
‡ Based on subject self-assessment. The onset of response at day 1 was 15% (16/105) in GL-1 and 33% (65/200) in GL-3. In the DREAM study, the onset of response at day 1 was 33% (66/200). The median time to onset of response was 3 days in GL-1 (55/105; 52%) and GL-2 (36/71; 51%), and 2 days in GL-3 (110/200; 55%).
§ Subject-reported at 12 months (N=120) after two treatments six months apart in a phase IV, multicenter, prospective study.
References
- Rubin MG, et al. The efficacy and safety of a new U.S. Botulinum toxin type A in the retreatment of glabellar lines following open-label treatment. J Drugs Dermatol. 2009;8(5):439-444.
- Monheit GD, et al. Efficacy, Safety, and Subject Satisfaction After AbobotulinumtoxinA Treatment for Moderate to Severe Glabellar Lines. Dermatol Surg. 2020;46(1):61-69.
- Brandt F, et al. Randomized, placebo-controlled study of a new botulinum toxin type a for treatment of glabellar lines: efficacy and safety. Dermatol Surg. 2009;35(12):1893-1901
- Data on file. MA-35497. Post Hoc Analysis. Fort Worth, TX: Galderma Laboratories, L.P., 2017.
- Dysport Prescribing Information. Galderma Laboratories, L.P. Dallas, TX. 2023.
- Data on file. 43USD1802 Clinical Study Report. Fort Worth, TX: Galderma Laboratories, L.P., 2020.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Indication: 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.
WARNING: DISTANT SPREAD OF TOXIN EFFECTS
What is the most important information you should know about Dysport? 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®(rimabotulinumtoxinB), Botox®(onabotulinumtoxinA), or Xeomin®(incobotulinumtoxinA), 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 include nose and throat irritation, injection site pain, upper respiratory infection, blood in urine, headache, injection site reaction, eyelid swelling, eyelid drooping, sinus infection, 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.
© 2024 Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
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