People often ask for a simple answer, as if one brand is objectively “better.” After years of injecting both Dysport and Botox in busy aesthetic and medical practices, I’ve learned the real question is different: which product suits your anatomy, your goals, and how you live day to day? Both are safe when used appropriately. Both soften dynamic lines by relaxing the muscles that fold the skin. The differences are subtler and, for many patients, meaningful.
This guide breaks down what matters when you are deciding between Dysport and Botox for forehead lines, frown lines, crow’s feet, and more specialized concerns like masseter hypertrophy, migraines, and excessive sweating. I will also cover practical details like how many units you might need, how soon results appear, how long they last, and how to plan maintenance without looking frozen or overdone.
What these products are, and how they actually work
Botox and Dysport are both botulinum toxin type A, purified into formulations designed for medical use. They work by temporarily blocking the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, which softens muscle contraction. Fewer repeated creases in the skin means fewer etched lines over time, which is why preventative Botox and baby Botox have become common for patients in their late 20s and early 30s.
They are not fillers. If you are weighing Botox versus fillers, think of it this way: neurotoxins reduce motion lines, while fillers restore volume and contour. You might use Botox for frown lines or a brow lift effect, and hyaluronic acid filler for nasolabial folds or cheekbones. Often, the best results come from using both, in a customized plan.
The formulas differ beyond the active molecule. Botox contains onabotulinumtoxinA with accessory proteins. Dysport contains abobotulinumtoxinA with a different complexing protein profile. These manufacturing differences influence diffusion behavior, dosing equivalence, and sometimes the onset of action. They do not make one universally superior, but they can make one feel better for you.
Where you can use them, and where they shine
If you are just getting started, the classic cosmetic zones are the frown lines between the brows, the horizontal forehead lines, and crow’s feet. A light touch can soften bunny lines at the sides of the nose, a lip flip for more show of the vermilion, a subtle brow lift by treating the depressor muscles of the brow, a softening of chin dimpling, or relaxation of vertical neck bands. Botox for smile lines is often a misnomer, since smile lines beside the mouth tend to be a filler issue, but neurotoxin can help when lines are driven by hyperactive muscles.
Beyond aesthetics, both Dysport and Botox are used medically for migraines, eyelid twitching, TMJ symptoms, jaw clenching, and hyperhidrosis. In therapeutic settings, clinicians often use higher totals and broader patterns. If you seek migraines Botox treatment or hyperhidrosis Botox treatment for underarm sweating, ask whether your injector routinely performs therapeutic protocols, because the dosing logic and injection grid differ from cosmetic patterns.
How quickly they work and how long they last
Dysport usually shows early effect a bit faster, often within 24 to 72 hours. Botox often takes 3 to 5 days for noticeable change, with full results around day 7 to 14. This is not a hard rule. Some patients consistently see Botox kick in by day 3. Others notice Dysport smoothing the “number elevens” after the second morning.
Longevity is similar. Expect 3 to 4 months for the average metabolic rate and dose, sometimes reaching 5 to 6 months when the dose is optimized and the muscle is less active from long-term maintenance. Heavier muscles like the masseters or strong corrugators may chew through results faster if you under-dose, while baby Botox intentionally blunts motion without fully freezing and tends to last on the shorter side, often closer to 8 to 10 weeks.
If you are focused on how long Botox lasts, the honest answer is that dose, placement, your facial expressions, and lifestyle all matter. A marathon runner with a fast metabolism may feel movement return sooner. A person who rarely makes intense expressions may stay smooth longer with the same units. Sun exposure and collagen quality influence the look of the skin over time, too, so results can appear different even when the neurotoxin is still active.
Dosing, units, and dilution, in real terms
Patients see wildly different numbers quoted online, which makes sense once you realize the products are not unit equivalent. A common conversion used in practice is roughly 2.5 to 3 Dysport units to 1 Botox unit. This is not official or exact, but it helps you compare quotes. If you see 60 units of Dysport priced similarly to 20 units of Botox, that can be entirely appropriate for a similar clinical effect.
Typical cosmetic ranges:
- Frown lines (glabellar complex): 15 to 25 Botox units, or 40 to 70 Dysport units. Forehead lines: 6 to 20 Botox units, or 15 to 50 Dysport units, depending on forehead height and muscle strength, always balanced with the frown lines for brow position. Crow’s feet: 6 to 15 Botox units per side, or 15 to 40 Dysport units per side. Masseter Botox for jaw clenching or facial slimming: 20 to 40 Botox units per side, or 50 to 120 Dysport units per side, adjusted for muscle bulk and function. Lip flip Botox: commonly 4 to 8 Botox units total, or about 10 to 20 Dysport units.
These ranges are not promises, just typical starting points that we customize. The art lives in how an injector maps your muscle pattern, balances opposing muscles to avoid a heavy brow, and layers conservative dosing for natural looking Botox or Dysport results.
Diffusion and why your injector’s technique matters more than the brand
Dysport tends to diffuse a touch wider, and some injectors prefer it for broader areas like the forehead or for patients who want smoother blending without lots of micro-aliquots. Botox can feel a little more precise or “tight” in its spread. The difference is modest, and technique can create either effect. If you want micro Botox or baby Botox for pore look improvement in the T-zone, many clinicians use microdroplets of either product, layered superficially, to subtly reduce oiliness and the appearance of pores. That is an off-label use, but done responsibly, it can give a velvet finish without flattening expression.
Diffusion also matters for risk management. If you have a low brow or mild eyelid hooding, a careful injector will protect the frontalis elevator strength, often by focusing more treatment in the glabella and the lateral tails, and less across the central forehead. This is where the choice between Dysport and Botox might tilt based on an injector’s familiarity with how far a product tends to travel in their hands.
Onset, feel, and lifestyle fit
Some patients love that Dysport often works faster. If you have a big event this weekend and want crow’s feet softened quickly, a Dysport appointment on Monday might show by Friday. Others prefer the steady, predictable onset and feel of Botox they have used for years. Neither is wrong. If you are traveling, training hard, or planning photo shoots, schedule your Botox appointment 2 weeks ahead to allow a touch up if needed.
Downtime is minimal with both products. Expect tiny bumps at injection sites that settle within 20 to 30 minutes, occasional pinpoint bruises, and a light tight sensation for a day or two. You can usually return to work right away. If you need same day Botox or Dysport before meetings, keep pressure off the area and avoid head-down yoga or massages for several hours.
Safety, side effects, and realistic expectations
Both products have long safety records in cosmetic and medical practice. The most common side effects are mild: bruising, headache, tenderness at sites, and temporary heaviness. Uncommon events include asymmetry, a drooped brow or eyelid, or smile change from spread into nearby muscles. These risks are generally temporary and often preventable with good planning and precise placement.
If you are wondering whether Botox is safe, the answer is yes for appropriate candidates. Avoid treatment if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have certain neuromuscular conditions unless cleared by your physician. Do not schedule an appointment when you have an active infection or skin inflammation in the targeted areas. If you have an important presentation or photoshoot, avoid first-time high dosing right before the event. Give yourself a two-week window in case you want a small adjustment.
What aftercare actually matters
Keep it simple. For the first 4 to 6 hours, minimize pressure and avoid lying flat. Skip vigorous exercise the same day. No facials or head-down massages for 24 hours. Light expressions, like gently frowning or raising the brows a few times, are fine if your injector suggests it, but not essential. Do not rub the areas. Skip alcohol the night of treatment if you bruise easily. These Botox aftercare instructions also apply to Dysport.
If you are curious whether you can work out after Botox, you can resume the next day. If you ask can you drink after Botox, a single glass is unlikely to change your outcome, but skipping alcohol for 24 best Sudbury botox providers hours may reduce bruising risk.
Cost, pricing models, and how to compare quotes
Two clinics can quote very different numbers for what looks like the same treatment. The most common pricing approaches are per unit or per area. Per unit gives you transparency, but only helps if you know how many units you need. Per area keeps it simple but can hide large variability in actual dosing. Both are legitimate. Focus on value, injector expertise, and results in patient reviews.
Range snapshots based on typical urban markets:
- Botox pricing per unit: often 10 to 20 dollars per unit. Dysport pricing: often lower per unit, but remember the unit conversion. Look at total treatment cost, not unit count. Botox cost per area: glabella often priced as a package, forehead sometimes as an add-on to prevent brow drop, crow’s feet often per side.
Look for a best Botox clinic or best Botox doctor by reviewing before and after images that match your age range and muscle pattern. Pair that with a thorough consultation. Affordable Botox is possible without compromising quality, but extreme botox deals often mean rushed appointments or diluted product. Ask about product authenticity, lot tracking, and storage, and whether the clinic offers a touch-up policy.
The “feel” of results and how to stay natural
Natural looking Botox or Dysport is not an accident. It comes from a personalized Botox plan, realistic goals, and a willingness to leave some motion. When someone says they do not want to look frozen, I aim to preserve brow lift capacity, soften the “eleven” lines without erasing them completely, and feather the crow’s feet so the eyes still smile. Baby Botox, which uses smaller aliquots across more sites, is particularly good for first time Botox patients or those who speak on camera and need micro-expressions.
For men, brotox for men is popular for softening deep frown lines without narrowing the brow or arching it. Men often have larger muscles and need higher totals for the same effect. For women with a high forehead or naturally arched brows, keeping the forehead dose conservative and the glabella balanced prevents a heavy look.
Special cases: masseter, migraines, and sweating
Masseter Botox for jaw clenching and facial slimming serves two goals. Functionally, it helps those with TMJ pain or teeth grinding by reducing clenching force. Aesthetically, it slims a square lower face over two to three treatment cycles. Plan on 2 to 3 treatments spaced about 3 to 4 months apart for visible contour change. Chewing may feel different the first week. If you are a steak enthusiast or a gum chewer, start with conservative dosing and build up.
Migraines Botox treatment uses a specific protocol across the scalp, temples, and neck. It is a medical service and often billed differently from cosmetic sessions. Expect an onset over a few weeks and the need for regular maintenance at around 12 weeks to keep benefits steady. Patients with eyelid twitching or blepharospasm may also benefit from targeted injections, but these are specialized and best done by clinicians who routinely manage these conditions.
Hyperhidrosis Botox treatment reduces sweating in the underarms, palms, or soles for months at a time. Underarm treatment can give a dry, easy summer and can be life-changing for those who struggle with antiperspirants. Palms and soles are more sensitive and may require topical anesthesia or nerve blocks.
Brow lift effect, lip flip, and other finesse moves
The eyebrow lift with Botox or Dysport is a balancing act. You relax the muscles that pull the brow down, while preserving the elevators. This yields a subtle arch and more open eyes. Too aggressive across the forehead and the brow drops. With a measured plan, you can refresh without creating an unnatural curve.
The lip flip uses small injections around the upper lip to let it roll slightly outward. It is ideal for someone who wants more show of the pink lip without the structure that filler provides. It lasts on the shorter end, often 6 to 8 weeks. Combine it with gentle filler later if you want more definition.
For bunny lines, two Sudbury, MA botox tiny injection points on each side of the nose can erase scrunch lines that look cute at 20 and crease makeup at 35. For neck bands, low-dose placements in the platysma reduce vertical cords, but patient selection matters. Skin laxity or sagging is not fixed by neurotoxin alone. If you are seeking Botox for sagging skin, a candid conversation about collagen, skin tightening devices, or surgery may serve you better.
Touch ups, maintenance, and how often to get treated
Plan a follow-up at two weeks for your first session. Small asymmetries or a stubborn line may need a touch up. After that, maintenance every 3 to 4 months keeps results consistent. If you prefer a softer, more animated look, you can stretch to 4 or 5 months and let a bit of motion return. People who do preventative Botox often start with two to three visits per year. The goal is to slow the etching of fine lines before they carve in.
When movement fully returns, do not wait too long to retreat if you want to maintain progress. Creases deepen from repeated folding. If you are building up to a wedding or photo season, set a calendar: first treatment 3 months out, one refinement at 2 to 3 weeks, and then maintenance with enough buffer to settle comfortably.
Choosing between Dysport and Botox when you are on the fence
If you have never tried either, Botox is the most recognized and can feel like a safe baseline. If you are impatient for a quick onset or you have broad forehead lines that blend better with a slightly wider spread, Dysport can be a smart first choice. If you tried Botox and felt it took too long to kick in, switching to Dysport for a session or two is reasonable. Conversely, if you felt Dysport diffused wider than you liked, move to Botox for a tighter feel.
Xeomin vs Botox sometimes enters the conversation. Xeomin is another botulinum toxin A without accessory proteins, which can appeal to those who prefer a “naked” tox. In practice, effects are similar, with onset and longevity like Botox. The main takeaway remains that your injector’s design and execution outweigh brand differences. Advanced Botox techniques or Dysport techniques, like microdroplet placement or vectoring for brow shape, change outcomes more than the logo on the vial.
What a good consultation sounds like
You should feel like the clinician is studying your face while you speak and emote. They should ask you to raise your brows, frown hard, smile big, and scrunch your nose. They should ask what you liked or disliked in past treatments, whether you want subtle Botox results or a stronger freeze, and what events you have coming up. If you are a first time Botox patient, they should start conservative, explain the plan in plain language, and tell you how to reach them if you notice anything odd as it settles.
Bring questions that matter to you. Examples:
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- How many units of Botox for forehead lines do you think I need, and why? Can we do baby Botox on the first session to keep it subtle? If I get a brow lift, how do you prevent heaviness in the center? For masseter Botox, what is your plan to avoid chewing weakness? If I am treating migraines, do you follow a standard protocol or a customized map?
Realistic before and after expectations
Botox before and after images can be inspiring, but remember lighting and expressions matter. Look for consistent angles, natural smiles, and a two-week timepoint. If you have etched lines at rest, one session will not erase them. Neurotoxin softens motion. Skin that has been folding into the same groove for a decade may need a mix of skincare, resurfacing, and sometimes filler for best results. Over two to three cycles of Botox cosmetic treatment or Dysport, many patients see static lines fade because the skin gets a break from constant folding.
Who should avoid same day impulsive decisions
If you are anxious, rushed, or unsure, book a consultation without injections first. If you just had a major life change, lack sleep, and want a total overhaul, pause. Good results come from calm planning. The best age to start Botox is when expression lines linger after you relax your face and they bother you. That might be 27 for a hyper-expressive person or 39 for someone with thicker skin and milder animation.
Practical timeline for events
If you want Botox for forehead lines before a reunion or photos, anchor your treatment 3 to 4 weeks ahead. That allows for onset, refinement, and any minor bruise to clear. For masseter contouring, plan 2 to 3 cycles ahead of the big date. For hyperhidrosis before summer, schedule in late spring to be fully dry by the first heat wave.
What not to do after injections if you want clean results
Rubbing makeup aggressively into freshly treated skin invites migration and bruising. Hot yoga right after treatment increases blood flow and can spread product more than intended. A deep tissue facial the next day can press on the wrong vectors. Save all that for 48 hours later. Keep skincare simple the night of treatment. If you wake with a small bruise, a dab of concealer typically hides it, and it will fade in a few days.
A brief cost and planning example
A 36-year-old woman with moderate frown lines, mild forehead lines, and fine crow’s feet might do 20 units of Botox for the glabella, 10 units across the forehead, and 12 units for crow’s feet, for a total of 42 units. In a market at 14 dollars per unit, that is 588 dollars, with a two-week touch up of 2 to 6 units included if needed. The same effect in Dysport may total around 100 to 120 units due to conversion, with similar total cost. She works in sales and emotes on calls, so we keep lift in the lateral brow and schedule maintenance every 4 months.
A 31-year-old man with jaw clenching and headaches chooses masseter Botox at 30 units per side and a light 15 units in the glabella to ease scowl tension. His first cycle brings pain relief in two weeks, chewing feels different for a week, and contour change becomes visible by cycle two. He budgets for three sessions the first year, then reassesses.
When brand loyalty does and does not matter
Some patients truly feel that one brand lasts longer for them. That preference is valid. Others respond to both with no meaningful difference, and we pick based on scheduling, availability, or a membership. A few develop tachyphylaxis over many years and benefit from switching brands. If results shift unpredictably, verify dose and timing, then consider trying the alternate brand.
Final guidance to decide
If quick onset and smooth blending are top priorities, and your injector has good Dysport experience, consider starting with Dysport. If you want the most established brand with decades of recognition and you value a “tight” feel, choose Botox. If you are brand agnostic, focus on the injector’s eye, their plan for your brow position, and their willingness to be conservative on your first pass. Natural looking results do not come from a syringe alone. They come from restraint, anatomy, and listening well.
When you search botox near me for wrinkles or browse botox patient reviews, look for specificity and consistency. People who mention subtle changes, easy recovery, and reliable two-week follow-up are the patients who got good care. Package deals, memberships, and seasonal specials can make regular treatment affordable, as long as the clinic does not rush appointments or compromise product quality. Your face is not the place to chase deep discounts.
Dysport vs Botox is not a rivalry that needs a winner. It is a choice between two excellent tools in the hands of the right clinician. If you bring clear goals and a willingness to evolve the plan over time, both can deliver understated, confident results that fit your features and your life.