Dysport®
Dysport (abobotulinumtoxin A) is an injection for wrinkle treatment. This noninvasive procedure temporarily decreases muscle movement in the target areas to soften the appearance of glabellar lines, the vertical wrinkles most prominent on your forehead in between your eyebrows. It’s also sometimes used for certain medical conditions
How Does Dysport® Work?
Dysport® belongs to a class of injections called neuromodulators. Other injections in this class include BOTOX® and Xeomin®. All use a form of botulinum toxin, but they’re used to target different areas of your face.
Neuromodulators like Dysport® reduce the appearance of lines by relaxing and limiting the movement of muscles around the injection site. Your doctor injects a small amount of the substance directly into your muscle.
As your muscles relax, the skin above them becomes smoother, thereby reducing wrinkles. It’s important to note that these effects are only temporary.
Decreasing movement is meant to prevent the formation or deepening of wrinkles, which are caused by repetitive movement over time, along with heredity and aging.
Targeted areas for Dysport®
Dysport® targets glabellar lines. These vertical wrinkles are located on your forehead. They most often start to form in between your eyebrows during early adulthood. As you age, they can become more prominent due to decreased elasticity. They can also become more noticeable when you squint, giving you a frowning or angry appearance.
Dysport® is intended for people who have moderate to severe glabellar lines only. If you have mild wrinkles of this nature, you may not qualify for this type of procedure.
What to Expect after Dysport®
You can go home immediately after Dysport® injections. While you might experience slight side effects, there’s virtually no recovery time needed.
Results may be seen in as soon as two days after treatment, and can last up to four months. Since the effects aren’t permanent, you’ll need more injections after a few months to maintain smoothness in your forehead. Avoid rubbing the injection site, as this could increase your risk for side effects and the spread of the toxin. Please wait at least two hours before exercise and other forms of physical activity.
Prior to Your Appointment
Before approving you as a candidate for Dysport® injections, your provider will do a thorough check of your medical history.
Your provider may also recommend that you stop taking certain medications and supplements prior to your injections. These include but are not limited to:
- allergy medications
- blood thinners
- cold medications
- muscle relaxers
- sleep aids
Are there any risks or side effects?
Despite the efficacy of Dysport®, there are risks and side effects to consider. Some of these side effects are mild and tend to resolve on their own. These include:
- headache
- pain at the injection site
- allergic reactions at injection site, such as rash and hives
- sinus issues
- sore throat
- eyelid swelling
- nausea
- upper respiratory tract infection
People who take muscle relaxers or anticholinergic drugs may experience worsening symptoms because of drug interactions with Dysport®.
While rare, Dysport® carries the risk of being transported to other parts of your body from the initial injection site. This is known as the “distant spread of toxin effect.”