Short description of Dysport
If you are looking for an alternative to Botox, and a more natural appearance, then you might want to look into the use of Dysport. Dysport, with active ingredient Abobotulinum toxin A is a prescription injection shown to be effective in smoothing out the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows, by reducing specific muscle activity, without changing the look or movement of the rest of your face. As the rest of your face are untreated, their muscles will work normally, allowing for a more natural appearance post the procedure. More so, Abobotulinum toxin A is made from the bacteria that causes botulism. Botulinum toxin blocks nerve activity in the muscles, causing a temporary reduction in muscle activity.
Who is this product aimed at?
The Dysport treatment is aimed at people that are under the age of 65 and that are looking for a temporary treatment to soften the appearance of wrinkles between their eyebrows. That is if you have severe frown lines between the eyebrows, also called the glabellar lines.
Who should avoid it?
You should not receive Dysport if you are allergic to botulinum toxin or cow’s milk, or if you have an infection, swelling, or muscle weakness in the area where the medicine will be injected.
To make sure Dysport is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
• amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or “Lou Gehrig’s disease”)
• myasthenia gravis
• Lambert-Eaton syndrome
• a breathing disorder such as asthma or emphysema
• problems with swallowing
• facial muscle weakness (droopy eyelids, weak forehead, trouble raising your eyebrows)
• a change in the normal appearance of your face
• a seizure disorder
• bleeding problems
• heart disease
• diabetes
• if you have had or plan to have surgery (especially on your face)
• if you have ever received other botulinum toxin injections such as Botox, Myobloc, or Xeomin, especially in the last 4 months
• and do avoid this treatment if you are breastfeeding or are pregnant.
The procedure
Dysport is injected into a muscle. The Dysport injections should be spaced at least 3 months apart.
Your doctor will give you one injection into each of the 5 points between and above the eyebrows temporarily prevents muscle contractions that cause frown lines, leaving the rest of your face to move naturally.
This procedure that will happen in the doctor’s rooms will last for 10 – 20 minutes.
You will start to see the results after 2, or 3 days, post the treatment.
The results will last for up to 4 months.
Complications
The most common side effects are nose and throat irritation, headache, injection site pain, injection site skin reaction, upper respiratory tract infection, eyelid swelling, eyelid drooping, sinus inflammation, and nausea.
These effects could make it unsafe for you to drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities.
Other side effects might include:
• difficulty with swallowing or speaking
• hoarseness
• muscle or bone pain
• muscle weakness
• sore throat
• voice changes
• blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
• body aches or pain
• chills
• cough
• cough producing mucus
• diarrhea
• difficult or labored breathing
• ear congestion
• fever
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• headache
• itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
• joint pain
• loss of appetite
• loss of voice
• muscle aches and pains
• nausea
• shivering
• sneezing
• stiff muscles
• stuffy or runny nose
• sweating
• tightness in the chest
• trouble sleeping
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles”, or tingling feelings
• flushing or redness of the skin
• partial or slight paralysis of the face
• unusually warm skin
In some cases, the effects of Dysport may affect areas of the body away from the injection site. Symptoms can happen hours to weeks after injection and may include swallowing and breathing problems, loss of strength and muscle weakness all over the body, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, or loss of bladder control. Swallowing and breathing problems can be life threatening and there have been reports of death. You are at the highest risk if these problems are pre-existing before injection.
Also, Abobotulinum toxin A is made from human plasma (part of the blood) which may contain viruses and other infectious agents. Donated plasma is tested and treated to reduce the risk of it containing infectious agents, but there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.
It is not known whether Dysport will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It is not known whether Abobotulinum toxin A passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby while receiving Dysport.
