Boston Dermatologist's Guide to Dysport®, Botox®, and Daxxify®

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At The Dermatology Institute of Boston, Dysport®, Botox®, and Daxxify® injections are performed to help restore patients’ youthful looks by lessening or removing wrinkles. If you’re having trouble deciding between these neuromodulators for your facial rejuvenation treatment, our guide to Dysport®, Botox®, and Daxxify® can help.

What Are Neuromodulators?

Neuromodulators

Neuromodulators are substances that affect the actions and processes of neurons in the body. Injectable neuromodulator medications like Dysport®, Botox®, and Daxxify® are mostly used to affect the actions of nerve cells on the muscles of the face.

Over the course of a person’s life, they use their facial muscles to make the same expressions and movements countless times. As these muscles contract over and over again, the skin overlying the muscles folds, creating creases or wrinkles in the skin.

When neuromodulator injections are delivered into the contracted facial muscles, the neuromodulators block the nerve cells from transmitting muscle-contracting signals. This allows the muscles to relax back to their at-rest positions, helping the overlying skin become flat and wrinkle-free again.

The active ingredient contained in every brand of neuromodulator is botulinum toxin type A. This is a purified neurotoxin derived from Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Neuromodulators contain stabilizing ingredients for this neurotoxin; different types of neuromodulators contain different stabilizing ingredients.

Dysport®

If you’re looking for experienced Dysport providers, look no further than The Dermatology Institute of Boston. Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA, or ABO) is a neuromodulator manufactured by Galderma, who make Cetaphil® products, Restylane® fillers, and Sculptra®. Dysport is stabilized with HSA (human serum albumin) and also contains cow’s milk protein.

Dysport has received FDA approval specifically for temporary improvement of moderate to severe glabellar lines (these are also commonly known as the “11 lines” and are located between the eyebrows). It is also commonly used by dermatologists to safely treat a variety of other facial lines, including crow’s feet, horizontal forehead lines, lipstick lines, and chin wrinkles. Additionally, it can be used to treat harsh vertical neck bands.

Dysport tends to kick in faster than Botox and for some patients it may last longer than Botox (typically 3 – 4 months on average).

Before and after Dysport® treatment for forehead wrinkles:

Fine lines on forehead before Dysport®

20 days after Dysport®

Botox®

botox

Our skilled injectors provide the best Botox in Boston. Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA, or ONA) is the most popular brand of injectable neuromodulator. It is made by AbbVie Inc., the company behind Juvederm® dermal fillers, SkinMedica® products, CoolSculpting®, and more. Botox stabilizes its botulinum toxin type A with human serum albumin.

Botox received approval from the FDA as a medication for temporarily reducing frown lines, crow’s feet, and horizontal forehead lines. It can also be used off-label for the reduction of vertical neck bands, chin wrinkles, lip lines, jaw slimming (masseter muscle) and more. Additionally, Botox is FDA-approved for uses like treatment of underarm hyperhidrosis (aka underarm sweating) and chronic migraine headaches.

After coming in for a session with one of our experienced Botox providers, most Boston Botox patients can expect to see initial results in days to weeks. Typically, results last for three to four months on average.

Daxxify®

botox

Our dermatologists are expert Daxxify providers. Daxxify (daxibotulinumtoxinA, or DAXI) is a newer type of neuromodulator manufactured by Revance Aesthetics/Crown Aesthetics, the company behind the revolutionary RHA Collection of dermal fillers.

Unlike other neuromodulators, Daxxify contains a peptide to stabilize the botulinum toxin type A. Daxxify has no human or animal byproduct ingredients, making it an excellent option for patients who are allergic to cow’s milk protein. Daxxify’s peptide also makes it more adept at binding to the membranes of nerve cells.

Like Dysport, Daxxify is FDA-approved to temporarily reduce moderate to severe glabellar lines. Usually, patients notice a decrease in age lines days to weeks after treatment but for patients who have very deep wrinkles, it may take longer.

One of Daxxify’s most appealing benefits is its long-lasting results. Due to its stabilizing peptide, Daxxify’s results last longer than those of any other neuromodulator on the market. Patients experience wrinkle reduction for up to six months.

The Neuromodulator Injection Process

At the start of a neuromodulator treatment session, the patient’s face will be wiped with alcohol.

Next, a tiny needle will be used to carefully deliver the required number of units of the chosen neuromodulator product into the muscles. Depending on the amount of wrinkles treated, the injections will take anywhere from less than one minute and up to three minutes to perform. Immediately after the injections, the physician will make certain that there is no bleeding in the treated area. There may be small bumps at the sites of the injections which most often resolve in a few minutes. Once the treatment is complete, patients can immediately return to their busy days without the need for much downtime or recovery time. As with any injection, there may be bruising at any of the injection sites.

Each Botox/Dysport/Daxxify treatment is tailored to fit the individual patient’s needs. Whether you are looking to completely erase wrinkles, do “baby Botox”, or are looking for a natural look, we can help customize your treatment to suit your needs. Each patient’s injection sites and units used will be carefully documented and drawn out in their individual medical record as each patient is unique.

Dysport® vs. Botox®

Dysport and Botox have a number of similarities and differences. Both are quick and convenient injectable neuromodulator treatment options for facial wrinkles. Though Botox brand name is more well-known than the Dysport brand name, their results are generally equal in terms of quality.

Dysport also contains less protein than Botox. Because of this, the body may create fewer antibodies in response, and the product may break down at a generally slower rate.

“Dr. Graber is great. She spends time with you when she is in the room, listens, and helps find the best treatment path for you. I would highly recommend her & her team”

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Contact Us Today

Get in touch with The Dermatology Institute of Boston and speak with one of our dermatologists about getting Dysport, Daxxify, or Botox in Boston. Our satisfied patients’ reviews speak volumes. We’ll be happy to help you select the ideal neuromodulator injectable for your needs and goals. Contact us today to get started!

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no exact age that is right or wrong to start doing these treatments. Some people start doing neuromodulator treatments when they first notice wrinkles appearing. Other people do them to prevent wrinkles. Whether you are 25 or 65, you may be the right age to start doing a neuromodulator treatment.

The procedure starts with a consultation with a skilled medical professional, who will determine whether you are ideal for the procedure. If you are found to be a suitable candidate, a treatment plan is made that will include the treatment area, the points of injection, and the amount of the chosen neuromodulator to be injected. The actual procedure often takes less than five minutes! No numbing medicine is needed. A series of injections with a very tiny needle are done in the areas of the wrinkles.

Yes! The best part of getting these injectables is that there is no downtime associated with them. You can go straight back to work, and no one will know that you just had the treatment done.

Yes! You can resume exercise. It is just recommended that you avoid strenuous activity for one hour after the procedure and not aggressively massage the area for one hour after treatment.

The results of this treatment differ from one person to another. The muscle remains relaxed, and the wrinkles are gone for three to four months. The treatment’s effects will diminish over time, and when it wears off, the wrinkles come back. Therefore, to keep wrinkles gone for good, a neuromodulator treatment needs to be done every 3 – 4 months.

Yes, one study looking specifically at Botox® demonstrated a 97% satisfaction rate.

The effects of the treatment are not seen immediately. The muscles will soften 2 – 10 days after treatment and the wrinkles will start to go away at this time.

Yes! It is very safe, as long as the injection is administered by an experienced professional. There have been ZERO serious problems ever reported from the cosmetic use of these products.

At The Dermatology Institute of Boston the cost is based on the number of facial areas treated. The cost is not based on the amount of units used. We will use whatever amount of Botox that is needed to improve your wrinkles. We typically start with slightly less than we think that you need and then you return to the office in 2 weeks for assessment. If more is needed in 2 weeks time, there is no charge for a “touch-up”. This way, we make sure that you get as much Botox as you need, without going overboard and without making you look unnatural!