BOTOX^® Injections in Asheville

About BOTOX^® Cosmetic & Dysport^® in Asheville

Most people in Asheville are familiar with the name “BOTOX,” but many would be surprised to learn just how popular—and effective—BOTOX^® Cosmetic and Dysport^® injections can be for treating certain facial wrinkles. Both of these FDA approved injectable neurotoxins can help to soften bothersome frown lines, brow furrows, crow’s feet and more, helping you look more youthful and better refreshed just days after your first treatment.

How can Botox or Dysport help me refresh my appearance?

If you feel like lines around your eyes or brow make you look concerned or angry, BOTOX or Dysport can help soften your appearance and provide a more youthful look. Both can also help create a smoother, better refreshed appearance in other areas too by treating the following issues:

Moderate to severe crow’s feet or lines on the outer eyes
Brow furrows or a lowered brow appearance
Vertical lines above the upper lip
Chin dimples or “cobblestoning” on the chin

How BOTOX and Dysport work

Many bothersome facial wrinkles are attributable in large part to habitual muscle movements. Glabellar lines (a.k.a. “frown lines” or “11’s”) and brow furrows get worse with years of scrunching the brow muscles; crow’s feet are worsened with squinting.

BOTOX contains a neurotoxin called botulinum type A that blocks nerve impulses within the specific muscles responsible for such contractions. When injected, the muscle relaxes, preventing you from subconsciously making those frowning or squinting motions and thus softening the appearance of these lines. Dysport works in almost exactly the same way; it simply contains a slightly different formulation of botulinum type A.

Key Benefits
Glossary

Key Benefits

Reduction of Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Both Botox and Dysport temporarily relax facial muscles, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, particularly around the forehead, eyes, and between the brows.
Preventative Anti-Aging Treatment: Regular use can slow the development of new wrinkles by limiting the facial expressions that contribute to them.
Minimal Downtime: These treatments require no surgery and have minimal recovery time, allowing for a quick return to daily activities.
Non-Surgical: They offer a non-surgical alternative to more invasive procedures for addressing signs of aging.
Quick Procedure: Treatments are quick, often completed in as little as 10 minutes, making them convenient even for busy schedules.

Glossary

Botulinum Toxin: The active ingredient in Botox and Dysport, a neurotoxic protein used to temporarily paralyze muscle activity, reducing wrinkles and treating certain medical conditions.
Botox: A brand name for a form of botulinum toxin type A, used both cosmetically for reducing wrinkles and medically for treating conditions like chronic migraines and excessive sweating.
Dysport: Another brand of botulinum toxin type A, similar to Botox but with a formulation that may spread to a wider area, used for smoothing wrinkles, particularly between the eyebrows.
Dynamic Wrinkles: Wrinkles that are formed by the movement of muscles when making facial expressions, such as frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines, often targeted by Botox and Dysport.
Hyperhidrosis: A medical condition characterized by excessive sweating in areas such as the underarms, hands, and feet, which can be treated with botulinum toxin injections.
Injection Site Reactions: Minor side effects that can occur at the site of injection, including redness, swelling, bruising, or pain, typically temporary and mild.
Masseter Muscle: A muscle in the jaw area that can be targeted with Botox or Dysport to reduce jaw tension, teeth grinding, and slim the face.
Neuromodulators: A class of drugs, including Botox and Dysport, that work by temporarily modifying nerve impulses to muscles, reducing their activity.
Non-Surgical: Referring to treatments or procedures that do not require surgery or incisions, typically involving less recovery time and lower risk than surgical alternatives; Botox and Dysport injections are examples of non-surgical cosmetic treatments.
Preventative Botox: The use of Botox injections at a younger age to prevent the formation of wrinkles and lines by reducing muscle movement.
Static Wrinkles: Wrinkles that are visible without muscle movement, not typically the primary target for Botox and Dysport, which are more effective on dynamic wrinkles.
Units: The measurement used to quantify the amount of Botox or Dysport injected; the number of units needed varies based on the treatment area and desired effect.

What is treatment like?

BOTOX and Dysport injections are performed in Dr. Conway’s office at Plastic Surgery Center of Asheville. Appointments take only about 30 minutes to complete. A topical anesthetic may be given to ease discomfort during injection, but most patients find treatment very tolerable as the needles used to inject BOTOX and Dysport are very thin—you will feel a pinch at the injection site.

No real downtime is required after treatment, although you should refrain from strenuous exercise for the rest of the day. Occasionally, there may be bruising, swelling or soreness at the injection site. These effects should subside within a few days after treatment.

When will I see results? How long do results last?

Woman shown Before and After Botox treatments — Photos courtesy of Allergan, Inc.

If you do not see results immediately, do not worry! This is normal. Results are noticeable a few days after treatment and are typically in full effect within one week. The wrinkle-reducing effects of BOTOX last about 3 to 4 months on average; Dysport tends to last closer to 4 months. You can return to Dr. Conway for follow-up treatments to maintain the effects.

BOTOX vs. Dysport: what is the difference?

Both BOTOX and Dysport use botulinum toxin type A as an active ingredient. They work similarly to treat the same types of facial wrinkles, and both achieve similar results. While neither product is “better” than the other, there are a few minor differences between the two.

Dysport costs a little less per unit. However, since the unit measurement for BOTOX and Dysport are not the same, it is not necessarily true that Dysport will be cheaper than BOTOX in every case.
Dysport takes effect a little more quickly than BOTOX. The difference is not substantial; while Dysport patients notice effects after about 2 days on average, the full effects of BOTOX are typically in place just 4 to 7 days after treatment.

Depending on your anatomy and goals, one product may be more suitable for your needs than the other. Dr. Conway and his team are experienced using both and will help you decide which product is right for you.

Are there risks or side effects with BOTOX and Dysport?

Both BOTOX and Dysport are very safe when administered by an experienced, qualified provider. For natural yet noticeable effects, the correct dosage must be injected in a precise location. A board certified plastic surgeon who has extensive medical training and experience and in-depth knowledge of facial anatomy, will be much better equipped to deliver a safe, successful outcome than a spa technician.

Serious side effects are rare with a qualified provider; the most common side effects are mild and temporary bruising, swelling, or tenderness at the injection site.

Are you ready to give BOTOX or Dysport a try? Please contact us for consultation with Dr. Conway in Asheville. He will listen to your concerns and your goals and together the two of you can decide if BOTOX or Dysport are a good option to help you meet those goals.

References »

Schlessinger J, Gilbert E, Cohen JL, Kaufman J. New Uses of AbobotulinumtoxinA in Aesthetics. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2017 May 1;37(suppl_1):S45-S58. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjx005.

Flynn TC. Botulinum toxin: examining duration of effect in facial aesthetic applications. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 2010;11(3):183-99. doi: 10.2165/11530110-000000000-00000.

Susmita A, Kolli NN, Meka S, Chakravarthi SP, Kattimani VS, Lingamaneni KP, Shaik LS. An Evaluation of Use of Botulinum Toxin Type A in the Management of Dynamic Forehead Wrinkles – A Clinical Study. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2016 Oct;10(10):ZC127-ZC131. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2016/21904.8695.

Small R. Botulinum toxin injection for facial wrinkles. Am Fam Physician. 2014 Aug 1;90(3):168-75. PMID: 25077722.

Karsai S, Adrian R, Hammes S, Thimm J, Raulin C. A Randomized Double-Blind Study of the Effect of Botox and Dysport/Reloxin on Forehead Wrinkles and Electromyographic Activity. Arch Dermatol. 2007;143(11):1447–1462. doi:10.1001/archderm.143.11.1447-b

Kane MA, Brandt F, Rohrich RJ, et al. Evaluation of variable-dose treatment with a new U.S. botulinum toxin type A (Dysport) for correction of moderate to severe glabellar lines: results from a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Plast Reconstr Surg.2009;124(5):1619-1629.