The short answer
For most people the two treatments feel similar in the chair and give a similar kind of softening. Botox is the older and more widely known brand. Dysport is often described by providers as spreading a little more across the treated area, which some prefer for wider zones such as the forehead, and some people report that it starts to show a day or two earlier. Neither is better for everyone. The right choice depends on your face, your history with each product and the judgment of a licensed provider.
Botox and Dysport side by side
| Botox | Dysport | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A prescription neuromodulator made from onabotulinumtoxinA | A prescription neuromodulator made from abobotulinumtoxinA |
| How it works | Blocks the nerve signal that tells a treated muscle to contract, so lines from movement soften | Works the same way, with a different formulation of the active protein |
| Typical session | A short visit with a few small injections, often well under half an hour including the consultation | A similar short visit with a similar number of injection points |
| Recovery | Most people return to daily life the same day, with possible small bumps or redness for a short time | Much the same, with the same short list of aftercare steps from the provider |
| How long results usually last | About 3 to 4 months for many people, varies by person and area | About 3 to 4 months for many people, varies by person and area |
| Who performs it | A licensed medical professional, according to your state's rules | A licensed medical professional, according to your state's rules |
| Price | Price varies by clinic, ask for a quote. | Price varies by clinic, ask for a quote. |
Why the doses are not interchangeable
Each brand is measured on its own scale, so the amount used for Dysport is not a direct conversion of the amount used for Botox. This is one reason prices are quoted differently from clinic to clinic, and one reason a provider should plan your treatment from scratch when you switch products. We do not publish doses. Your provider decides what is appropriate for you.
Approved uses
Both products are approved in the United States for the vertical frown lines between the brows. Botox also carries cosmetic approval for forehead lines and crow's feet. Treating other areas may be an off-label use, which is common in aesthetic practice and is a decision for a licensed provider to discuss with you.
How to choose with your provider
Most people do not choose a brand first. They choose a provider they trust and then follow that provider's recommendation. A good consultation covers the areas that bother you, how your muscles move, what you have tried before and how you responded, and what a realistic result looks like for your face.
- If one product worked well for you before, it is reasonable to ask for the same one again.
- If a product seemed to wear off quickly, ask whether switching could make sense for you.
- Ask how the provider adjusts the plan for wide areas such as the forehead versus small areas around the eyes.
- Ask what follow-up looks like at around two weeks and whether a touch-up is part of the visit.
- Ask how the clinic quotes price, per area or by product amount, so you can compare quotes fairly.
Reasons a provider may say no or ask you to wait
A provider may decline or delay treatment during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with an active skin infection in the area, with certain medications, or with certain neuromuscular conditions. Ask a licensed provider.
Read our Botox guide for the full picture of the appointment, and our page on Botox cost for what drives the price. If you are weighing a third brand, see Jeuveau vs Dysport, and if you are not sure whether you need a neuromodulator at all, read Botox vs filler.
Questions about Botox vs Dysport
Is Dysport stronger than Botox?
Not in a simple sense. The two are measured on different scales, so the numbers on a treatment plan are not comparable. What matters is the result your provider plans for the area, not the size of the number.
Does Dysport work faster than Botox?
Some people notice Dysport a day or two earlier, while many notice no real difference. For both products, the effect usually builds over the first one to two weeks.
Can I switch from Botox to Dysport?
Many people do. Tell your provider what you had before, when you had it and how long it lasted for you, so the new plan starts from accurate information.
Which one lasts longer?
Both usually last about 3 to 4 months for many people. How long it lasts for you depends on the area, how strong your muscles are and your own metabolism, and it varies between visits.
Is one of them safer?
Both are prescription products with established safety records when used by trained, licensed professionals. Your own medical history matters more than the brand, so discuss it openly at the consultation.
General information, not medical advice. A licensed provider decides whether a treatment is right for you.
Performed by licensed medical professionals. Who may perform it depends on your state's rules.