What are Dysport Injections?
Injectable treatments have made it easier to age as gracefully and conveniently as one may want. Dysport® is an FDA-approved cosmetic injectable that combats specific signs of aging at their origin, the muscle. Our facial expressions are unique to us and we tend to repeat them over and over again throughout life. These repeated expressions use the same muscles each time, which causes them to reach a state of consistent contraction. It's like toning a muscle through exercise only, as we make facial expressions, we don't realize that we are toning various muscles in the face. Usually, muscle tone is something we'd like to develop, not prevent. However, as we tone facial muscles, we create lines and creases in the skin which, in time, do not go away when we're not engaged in smiling, frowning, or other expressions.
Dysport is a neuromodulator, just like Botox. Neuromodulators work by blocking nerve signals that cause the muscles to contract. The active ingredient in the drug, derived from a botulinum molecule, interrupts the communication between neurotransmitters in nerve endings, resulting in less tug and pull on the skin. Where there is a relaxed muscle, there is smooth skin.
What are Dysport Injections used for?
Dysport was initially approved for the treatment of glabellar lines, more commonly referred to as frown lines. These furrows between the eyebrows are a result of normal facial movements that most of us make on a daily basis. Over time, as the skin thins and weakens, the lines become permanent. The presence of frown lines can make a person appear sad or angry when they are not. Persistent frown lines that worsen over time can create a sense of dissatisfaction or even emotional stress due to social perceptions.
Additional uses for Dysport include:
- Brow lift. Using their understanding of facial anatomy, a skilled provider can arch or lift the brow by selectively relaxing certain muscles. Doing so reduces the downward pull and maximizes the intrinsic lifting and shaping of the eyebrows to create more symmetry and youthfulness.
- Forehead lines. The horizontal lines that we call worry lines can form due to our expressions if we tend to lift our eyebrows a lot. These creases also often relate to the eyebrow lifting we do when we can sense that the brow line is descending and feeling heavy. Treating the muscles around or above the eyebrows, these horizontal lines can fade away.
- Crow's feet. These fine lines develop at the outer corners of the eyes when we smile, laugh, and squint. With the skin around the eyes being so delicate and thin, crow's feet may be some of the first lines to become permanent. Careful injections of a neuromodulator can smooth them.
- Lip lift. Neuromodulators are now often used to achieve what is commonly called a Lip Flip. The treatment targets specific muscles around the mouth, relaxing them in a way that allows the upper lip to roll upward slightly. This creates a fuller, more voluptuous appearance.
How Long Does Dysport Last?
Over the course of approximately five days, patients begin to see the effects of their Dysport injections. By one week post-treatment, the lines and creases that we've treated should be significantly improved if not completely gone. While the effects of injectable treatment can differ slightly from one person to another, we typically see the results of neuromodulator treatment last from three to five months. According to FDA guidelines, patients may schedule Dysport injections as often as every three months.
How Long Do Dyport Injections Take?
One of the significant aspects of injectable treatments that make them so appealing is their convenience. Patients can schedule these appointments during their lunch hour and still go right back to work. There are very few side effects associated with Dysport injections, and the appointment takes very little time out of one's day. Including our initial check-in with existing patients or consultation with new patients, Dysport injections usually take 15 minutes or less. Some patients combine their neuromodulator wrinkle-reduction with dermal filler injections. In these instances, it may take 20 to 30 minutes to complete the entire treatment. This is still remarkably different than surgical procedures or many of the laser and energy-based procedures that are popular today.Â
What are the Risks of Dysport?
According to a comprehensive safety review performed several years ago, there are few risks associated with Dysport. These are shared with Botox due to the shared classification as a neuromodulator and the use of purified botulinum toxins. Though very rare, it is possible that the botulinum toxin may disperse from the injection site. This may cause muscle weakness, drooping eyelids, blurred or double vision, or difficulty swallowing or breathing. The most common side effects associated with neuromodulator treatments include:
- Temporary headache
- Pain, swelling, and redness at injection sites
- Eyelid swelling
- Upper respiratory tract irritation or infection
- Throat and nose irritation
- Sinus inflammation
- Nausea
Schedule a Consultation
We love helping our patients look and feel their best. To schedule your Dysport consultation and treatment with Dr. Walker, contact our Dallas office at (972) 661-5077.
