Dysport is an injectable facial rejuvenation treatment that smooths moderate to severe frown lines (glabellar lines—the lines that form between the eyebrows) and crow’s feet. If you’ve never tried injectables before, you might have some questions about the treatment process, such as:
- How long does Dysport last?
- Is there anything I can do to extend the effects of Dysport?
Read on for answers to these questions and more.
How Long Does It Take for a Dysport Treatment to Work?
Dysport is an injectable cosmetic treatment made from botulinum toxin type A. When injected into facial muscles, this treatment causes paralysis and limits muscle movements. This has the effect of smoothing out the skin over the muscles, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, such as:
- Frown lines
- Crow’s feet
Cosmetic injectables like Dysport rejuvenate the skin to reveal a more youthful-looking you.
When you get Dysport injections, you’ll typically have an aesthetic treatment session that lasts around 20 minutes. The exact treatment time depends on how many units of Dysport you need.
After treatment there’s no downtime, and you can resume most activities right away. You can even have Dysport treatment in your lunch hour and go back to work right after! However, it’s best to avoid strenuous activities for at least 24 to 48 hours for optimal results.
Once you’ve had the treatment, it takes 2 to 3 days to see initial results and 10 to 14 days to see the final results.
How Long Does Dysport Last?
Dysport is clinically proven to last up to five months. The exact time is different for everyone. For you, the effects may last three or four months or longer, like five or six months. Most skin rejuvenation injectables last for several months. But facial expressions and other movements do cause the effects to wear off eventually, and facial lines and wrinkles reappear.
For some people, having consistent, regular treatments—three or four times per year—can make Dysport results last longer. This happens because repeated injections progressively weaken the muscles that promote the formation of glabellar lines. As they get weaker, the period between Dysport treatments gets a little longer.
What Areas Can Dysport Be Used to Treat?
Dysport can be used to treat the whole forehead and more specifically frown lines (glabellar lines) between the eyes and eyebrows and crow’s feet. These are also known as. Dysport injected in the forehead targets the muscles that contribute to the formation of frown lines. As the muscles are paralyzed, the lines diminish and may even disappear altogether.
While results vary from person to person, it typically takes two to three days to start seeing them, and the full results last for up to five months.
What’s the Difference between Dysport and BOTOX?
BOTOX and Dysport are both made using Botulinum toxin A, but they’re not the same product. There are two main differences between them:
Dispersal rate: BOTOX is a more concentrated preparation of Botulinum toxin. One unit of BOTOX is comparable to around two units of Dysport. The main consequence of this is that the two products disperse at different rates in the treatment areas. Dysport spreads more quickly, which makes it a better choice than BOTOX for certain types of wrinkles and in certain locations. Generally, the faster dispersal rate of Dysport makes it especially effective for large treatment areas like the forehead.
As with any treatment, results vary from body to body. To to get the best idea of Dysport or BOTOX’s benefit for you, consult with a provider.
Extra ingredients: BOTOX contains some inactive ingredients, including sodium chloride and albumin, that Dysport doesn’t have. In rare cases, people can develop an allergic reaction to the inactive ingredients in BOTOX, making the product less effective. For these people, switching to a different product, such as Dysport, solves the problem.
6 Ways to Maintain Your Dysport Results
You will know how long Dysport lasts for you once you have the nonsurgical procedure. However, taking some simple measures to protect your treatment results can help them last as long as possible.
- Stay Out of the Sun
Sun exposure can have a damaging effect on Dysport treatment. This is because the sun dilates blood vessels in your skin, which increases blood circulation. This, in turn, makes the Dysport formulation disperse faster and potentially spread further. And this can reduce the effectiveness of your treatment, spreading the toxin to unwanted areas.
If you’re not able to avoid the sun, avoid sun damage by wearing a high SPF sunblock and a wide-brimmed hat.
- Avoid Touching Your Face
It takes a few days for Dysport to do its job. Part of this is because it takes time for the toxin to disperse under the skin and get inside the nerve cells where it works its magic. In the meantime, it’s important to avoid touching your face. In particular, don’t scratch or rub the injection sites.
This is important because it can cause the toxin to spread to other parts of your face. This can mean there’s less toxin in the treatment area, which prevents you getting the full treatment effect. In addition, spreading the toxin to other areas may alter your appearance in ways you didn’t anticipate.
- Avoid Strenuous Exercise for 24 to 48 Hours
Anything that increases circulation in your skin—like sun exposure—can potentially have the same kind of effect on your results. So it should come as no surprise that strenuous activities—including exercise—are on the list of things to avoid after Dysport treatment.
It’s best to avoid strenuous exercise for the first 24 to 48 hours after cosmetic injectable treatment. Or if you want to play it really safe, wait to resume your normal activity level, until you start seeing your first treatment results.
- Don’t Smoke or Vape
When it comes to your skin, both vaping and smoking are harmful. There are two reasons for this:
- Drawing on a vape or cigarette involves repeated muscle contractions, which encourages the formation of wrinkles around the lips.
- Nicotine reduces the amount of collagen and elastin in your skin. This contributes to skin sagging and premature signs of aging.
Both smoking and vaping can affect your Dysport results. If you vape or smoke, quitting or cutting back can be a good move for your skin health, and can help maximize the benefit you get from Dysport treatments.
- Maintain Your Skincare Routine
For any injectable treatment you have—including Dysport—it’s essential to maintain a consistent skincare routine. That will help you get the best out of your treatment and keep your skin looking its best too. Make sure to:
- Cleanse and moisturize daily.
- Use a non-abrasive exfoliant.
- Stay hydrated and eat nutritious foods.
- Avoid sun exposure.
Want more detailed tips about how to take care of your skin? Request an appointment with our Skin Institute & Laser Center.
- Keep Your Treatment Schedule Consistent
The results of Dysport are temporary—lasting a maximum of five months—which means if you want to maintain the results long term, you’ll need regular treatment sessions at least a couple times a year. For most people, treatment effects last around four months. To keep your results at an optimum level, you may want to have treatments three to four times a year.
Talk To Your Dysport Practitioner for the Best Advice on Your Skin’s Good Health
Plastic surgery doesn’t have to be your first choice when your goal is regaining a youthful appearance. Dysport is just one of many injectable treatments we have available that can rejuvenate and refresh your skin, leaving you looking and feeling fantastic. Accurate, up-to-date information on how long Dysport lasts and other essential details can help too. For the best advice about what nonsurgical procedures are right for you, talk to one of our expert aestheticians. At your initial consultation, they can give you advice that’s tailormade for your unique skin needs and treatment goals. Or schedule an injection appointment today!