Dysport is an injection that is used to improve the appearance of wrinkles between the eyebrows, also called “frown lines” or “glabellar lines.” Dysport, created and distributed by Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation, is available by prescription only and is injected by a doctor who is specially trained in the Dysport treatment process.
Dysport is approved by the FDA for treatment of frown lines in people younger than 65. Dysport is not for use in children. Dysport is not used for treating wrinkles around the mouth or other parts of the face.
The results of Dysport treatment are temporary, but they last for at least three months and it is safe to have additional treatments with Dysport in the future.
How Dysport Works
Dysport is a purified form of botulinum toxin A. This is a substance that is produced by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium causes a severe type of food poisoning called botulism. The botulinum toxin produced by these bacteria works by blocking the nerve impulses that cause contraction of muscles, paralyzing the skeletal muscles. In some cases, this can cause difficulty breathing.
This may sound scary, but the serious effects of botulinum toxin only occur when this toxin is introduced systemically, or into the bloodstream. It is possible to inject very small quantities of botulinum toxin into specific small facial muscles, and the substance only works on the muscle into which it is injected. The other muscles are not affected by the toxin and function normally. Frown lines in the eyebrows are smoothed out, but the rest of the facial muscles are free to express how you are feeling, just like normal.
Botulinum toxin is used for various medical purposes, including treating severe muscle spasms and treating chronic migraine headaches that do not respond to other forms of treatment. Botulinum toxin is safe for cosmetic use as well and has been studied extensively in clinical trials.
Details of Dysport Treatment
Treatment with Dysport consists of 5 injections total: one injection into five different spots between the eyebrows. This treatment is performed by a doctor who is specifically trained in this procedure. It is a quick outpatient procedure that lasts from 10 to 30 minutes. Getting additional Dysport treatments is safe, as long as you wait at least 90 days between treatments.
Cost of Treatment with Dysport
Ask your doctor about the cost of treatment with Dysport. On average, the cost is around $300 to $400 per treatment, but this cost may vary depending on your location.
Potential Side Effects of Dysport
The most common side effect of Dysport is irritation at the sites where the medication was injected. Dysport may temporarily cause your eyelids to droop or cause blurred vision shortly after treatment. Other potential side effects include headache, nausea, irritation in the throat and nasal cavity, sinusitis and upper respiratory infection. It is possible for an allergic reaction to occur to one of the ingredients in the Dysport injection, so tell your doctor if you have any known allergies or hypersensitivities before receiving treatment with Dysport.
It is extremely rare for a person to develop symptoms of botulism after receiving treatment with Dysport, but this is not impossible. If you experience symptoms such as trouble swallowing or breathing, muscle weakness in the arms and legs, trouble speaking or incontinence, seek medical attention immediately.