Xeomin, Dysport or Botox: what is better and how they differ

What is each drug? Similarities and differences

The active ingredient in both Botox and Dysport is botulinum toxin. The principle of its operation is to block the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles, resulting in paralysis of the latter. But the poison content in both drugs is so insignificant that it works strictly locally, freezing the muscles only at the injection site. And the products differ in the proportions of the active ingredient and auxiliary components.

Botox contains:

• 5 ng botulinum toxin type A (active ingredient).

Auxiliary components:

• 500,000 ng human plasma albumin;
• 900,000 ng sodium chloride.

As part of Dysport:

• 12.5 ng botulinum toxin type A (active ingredient).

Auxiliary components:

• 2,500,000 ng lactose;
• 125,000 ng human albumin.

Learn more about beauty injections from Anna Sokolova, candidate of medical sciences, dermatocosmetologist.

Video: principle of action of beauty injections

What is the difference between Dysport and Botox

The similarity between these two drugs is undeniable.
The main active ingredient in both formulas is the so-called botulinum toxin type A.

This is the causative agent of the dangerous and fatal disease botulism, which in small doses selectively affects the facial muscles and causes temporary paralysis, helping to smooth the skin.

Studies conducted on many volunteers have made it possible to successfully use drugs based on botulinum toxin in the treatment of strabismus and paralysis of the eye muscles.

For cosmetic purposes, the use of botulinum toxin has opened up new possibilities for non-surgical rejuvenation.

The most famous drug in this category is Botox, the development of which was completed in 1981. Since that time, Botox injections have helped many Hollywood stars and even presidents regain their youthful appearance. Nine years later, American Botox has a very real competitor, originally from France. The drug Dysport also contains a stamp of botulinum toxin, even in larger quantities. At the same time, its main advantage is lower cost while maintaining high efficiency. It is not surprising that now these two types of beauty injections are actively competing with each other.

One of the effective methods of rejuvenation is bioreinforcement. Read our article to find out what it is.

About the rules for choosing a cream for dry skin here.

Watch a video about the biorevitalization procedure with hyaluronic acid https://ilcosmetic.ru/uhod-za-litsom/omolozhenie/biorevitalizatsii-gialuronovoj-kislotoj.html

What is Botox

The composition of Botox includes botulinum toxin in an amount of 5 ng, as well as sodium chloride and albumin.
A long period of use allows us to talk about the effectiveness of the drug without the threat of delayed action.

The drug is used by subcutaneous injection into strictly designated muscle areas. Ingestion of this substance causes temporary paralysis of muscle tissue, after which the surface of the skin smoothes out. The drug is administered strictly precisely into problem areas by a specially trained doctor. The depth of injection is also important, as well as further skin care, which can weaken the effect and “unblock” the muscles ahead of time.

Botox contraindications:

• Pregnancy.
• Lactation.
• Individual intolerance.
• Inflammatory processes.
• Neurological pathologies.

The duration of the effect after the injection lasts from 3 to 7 months. For the most part, it all depends on the individual problem and characteristics of the body, but there are also factors that can weaken the effect of the drug.

What to avoid after Botox injections:

• Alcohol can eliminate the effect of the drug, so its use should be limited.
• Taking antibiotics will also negate efforts.
• Facial cleansing, especially using a hardware method, will quickly help old problems return.

In the first 14 days after the injections, you should not visit the sauna or bathhouse, or actively engage in sports. Side effects are extremely rare, but your doctor will definitely warn you about possible nausea and even migraines after taking this drug.

Video about the procedure

Read reviews about diamond facial resurfacing.

What is Dysport

The main difference from its competitor is the increased amount of botulinum toxin in the composition (12.5 ng).
At the same time, the concentration of the drug is low, which makes it easy to adjust its administration.

Dysport is manufactured in France and is nine years behind its main competitor. That is why opponents of Dysport appeal to the untested effect and possible contraindications.

At the same time, the drug has undergone good clinical trials and has adequately passed international certification.

Unlike Botox, you need much more of it for a similar effect, but do not forget about the lower cost of Dysport.

On average, the concentration ratio can be represented as follows: for 1 part Botox you need to take 4 parts Dysport. This is not always a drawback, because using a small concentration it is easier to correct minor imperfections or simply achieve a more uniform result.

Contraindications for Dysport are similar to Botox, but side effects occur much less frequently. The result after the injection comes faster and lasts on average 4 – 6 months. These indicators are purely individual, especially since a similar composition also makes Dysport “defenseless” against antibacterial treatment and ultrasound procedures.

Video about Dysport injections

Watch a video about the action of microcurrents in cosmetology.

Origin of drugs and their manufacturers

In cosmetology, botulinum toxin was first tried to be used back in the 50s, after research revealed the property of the poison to cause local muscle paralysis. However, botulinum toxin is used not only in cosmetology: since the 90s, it has been used to stop excessive sweating (regurgitation) in the armpits, palms and feet, and to treat central paralysis.

The name “Botox” appeared in 1989, when the American pharmaceutical company Allergan acquired the right to produce a drug based on botulinum toxin.

The drug has been certified in the Russian Federation since 1995

Initially, Botox was not developed to combat wrinkles, but to treat strabismus, to relieve spasms of the muscles of the eyeball.

After the publication of the results of clinical studies by Canadian ophthalmologist Jeanne Carruthers, Botox was doomed to incredible commercial success. The doctor was surprised to discover that after botulinum toxin injections in her patients suffering from blepharospasm, the so-called crow's feet - facial wrinkles in the corners of the eyes - disappeared. She couldn’t help but share this observation with her husband, a dermatologist and plastic surgeon. Further studies confirmed the side effect of botulinum toxin to significantly reduce the severity of wrinkles.

At the beginning of the 2000s, the European drug Dysport, created by the French company Ipsen, began to be used for cosmetic purposes. To be fair, we note that this product was originally developed to combat more serious problems than wrinkles.

The main indications for the use of Dysport are blepharospasm, foot deformity due to cerebral palsy, migraine, torticollis caused by spasms, neurogenic bladder overactivity and some others.

In Russia, Dysport has been approved for use since 2004.

Analogues of botulinum toxin in cosmetology

There has always been a high demand for toxin injections in cosmetology, and many people do not tolerate it well. Therefore, many substitutes have appeared. Now the most common analogues of Botox are Dysport, Relatox (German production), or Xeomin (Russian newest drug).

What is best is decided in each case by the doctor, after a series of examinations are carried out.

Contraindications for botulinum toxin injection are the same everywhere:

• Individual intolerance to botulinum toxin or other components of the drug;
• Skin hypersensitivity;
• Dermatic diseases;
• Infectious diseases;
• Any chronic diseases;
• Endocrinological pathologies (the likelihood of complications increases);
• Weakness of facial muscles;
• Redness and thickening in the armpit area;
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Complications often develop after injections:

• Hematomas;
• Infection of injection sites, up to necrosis;
• Redness and tingling at the injection sites for a long time (more than two to three days);
• Complete numbness of the facial muscles, in other words – a lifeless mask instead of a face;
• “Relaxation” of the facial muscles, drooping of the group of muscle fibers where the drug was injected and, as a result, facial asymmetry;
• Swelling of the muscles on the face or in the armpit area;
• Stopping the secretion of sweat in the armpit area, and this will lead to an increase in body temperature;
• Headaches and muscle pain;
• Difficulty breathing and swallowing;
• And the most dangerous are anaphylactic shock or tetanus.
• Drooping eyelid.

Among celebrities, we see many photos before and after botulinum toxin injections. Sad examples when, in pursuit of fading youth, people completely lose their natural beauty. Is the opportunity to make wrinkles less noticeable for six months worth such sacrifices?

What to choose?

Differing in the dosage of the active substance, Botox and Dysport injections have different effects. Having visited many forums about beauty and studied the reviews of women who have tried these drugs, we can draw a number of conclusions. For clarity, the results are presented in table form.

Table: comparative characteristics of the effects of Botox and Dysport

Since the dosage of botulinum toxin is higher in Dysport, it acts faster. That is why this particular drug is suitable when you urgently need to get yourself in order before some important event.

Another advantage of Dysport is its lower cost (10–15 percent) compared to Botox.

But in terms of duration of action, Dysport is inferior to Botox. You will have to visit a cosmetologist for correction more often, so when choosing a drug you should not focus only on its cost - the savings can be very dubious. However, according to reviews from cosmetologists, the duration of action of the drugs is individual. The frequency of repeated procedures depends on the characteristics of the body.

Women who lead an active lifestyle, undergo serious physical activity, and often visit the sauna or swimming pool, unfortunately, will not be able to enjoy a flawlessly smooth face for long - the higher the metabolism, the shorter the duration of action of botulinum toxin.

Both drugs have an accumulation effect. This means that no matter what remedy you choose, repeat procedures will be required less and less over time.

The safety and good tolerability of both Botox and Dysport have been proven over time. But due to the fact that Botox has less diffusion (that is, the ability to penetrate into surrounding tissues), the risk of developing deformation of the facial nerve is significantly lower. However, this is rather a question of the professionalism of the doctor himself.

Find out whether botulinum toxin is actually safe from an interview with Alexander Turkevich, candidate of medical sciences, dermatologist, oncologist.

Video: the whole truth about botulinum toxins

Difference between

Xeomin® and Botox are used to solve various cosmetic problems. Despite the fact that both of these drugs replace each other, they have some differences and their own specific features.

Compound

Botox is a purified neurotoxin complex, butolotoxin type A. It is produced in the laboratory using the microorganism Clostridium botulinum. Made in Ireland. It is one of the most studied neurotoxins.

Xeomin® belongs to the latest generation of drugs, which contain a pure neurotoxin produced by strains. The product is produced by a pharmaceutical company in Germany. Due to the fact that it contains a pure component, the likelihood of protein and antigenic load on the human body is minimized.

Storage conditions

Botox should only be stored in a cool place. For undiluted Xeomin®, a temperature of +25 degrees is considered optimal. In other words, if the transportation of the former is disrupted, even if the expiration date has not expired, the declared properties will be less pronounced or absent altogether.

Side effects

Since Xeomin® does not contain complexing proteins that contribute to the activation of the immune response in the human body, the development of allergies or pathological processes of an infectious-inflammatory nature are excluded. Botox can cause similar side effects.

Sensitivity to the drug

Xeomin® is not addictive. Insensitivity when using Botox is present.

Dosage

Since weak diffusion is observed in tissues, when using Xeomin® it is necessary to take a smaller dose of the drug than with Botox to achieve the desired result.

Diffusion difference

The size of the molecules of the first agent is slightly smaller than the second. However, despite this, there is less migration of the former into adjacent tissues. This is explained by a higher tropism for muscle receptors.

This allows you to maintain natural facial expressions and prevents the possibility of sagging skin. Thus, we can conclude that it is better to use Xeomin® to correct the lower part of the facial area.

Result

The effect after Botox will undoubtedly be better and will last up to 6 months. After using Xeomin® – only about three months.

Knowledge

We must not forget that Botox is a global brand because its effectiveness and safety have been researched and proven. Xeomin® is still under investigation.

Safety of use

Xeomin® has a sophisticated molecular structure. Since it prevents the product from penetrating into tissues that are not involved in the treatment process, the development of side effects such as stretching of muscle fibers or drooping eyelids is significantly reduced.

Hyperhidrosis

As a result of its poor diffusion, Xeomin® is not used in the treatment of this disease.

Contraindications and possible side effects

Clear contraindications to botulinum therapy apply to both drugs:

• pregnancy;
• lactation;
• generalized movement disorders;
• blood clotting disorder;
• any inflammatory processes in the body;
• chronic diseases in the acute stage.

But the unwanted side effects of Botox and Dysport may be different.

Table: comparison of negative side effects after Botox and Dysport injections

So, Dysport will be more effective in combating deep wrinkles in the forehead and neck area. Botox will give better results for crow's feet. Both drugs are safe, but only in the hands of an experienced and skilled doctor.

Manipulations with Dysport in the neck area can only be performed by the most highly qualified practitioners. Otherwise, the risk of blocking the respiratory muscle is too great if the injection site is chosen incorrectly.

How do rejuvenation products work?

Let's start with the fact that Botox and Dysport are products that have quite a lot in common. Both of them belong to the group of botulinum toxin drugs, which are extremely dangerous to human health when taken with food. Botulinum toxin was studied by doctors in the context of a serious infectious disease called botulism, and quite unexpectedly for themselves, they discovered its interesting property: blocking neuromuscular impulses.

Therefore, they tried to use injections of purified and very, very diluted botulinum toxin in cases where it was necessary to relieve muscle spasm for treatment. And after some time it turned out that if you inject botulinum toxin into the area where there are facial wrinkles, then, thanks to its unique properties, they will smooth out. This is how Botox, Dysport and other lesser-known preparations of this substance came into cosmetology.

Injections of drugs are performed directly into the muscles, forcing them to contract less and helping to smooth the skin, as well as preventing the formation of new wrinkles. In this case, the injection volume must be selected extremely carefully so as not to achieve excessive muscle relaxation, which will disrupt the natural facial expressions.

Expert opinion on Botox and Dysport

There are several types of botulinum toxin type A, but there are no significant differences between them. The choice of doctors depends mainly on who is used to working with what. I choose a drug based on the individual characteristics of each patient... Dysport is harsher, and Xeomin is softer... Botox is more universal, it suits almost always and everyone.

Tagaeva Svetlana Ruslanovna, dermatocosmetologist

https://estetmedicina.ru/kosmetologia/rubrika-za-i-protiv/kakoy-botulotoksin-tipa-a-luchshe/

The effectiveness of using botulinum neurotoxin depends on many factors, including the injection technique (volume of the injected drug, dosage, post-injection massage), the molecular characteristics of the neurotoxin complex (protein load), as well as the characteristics of the muscle being treated. The doctor must take all this into account... So, different commercial drugs differ from each other in addition to the fillers in the size of the neuropeptide complex itself. This is an important point, since molecular weight can be one of the factors limiting the diffusion of the toxin from the injection site... But this does not mean that one drug is better, another worse. The only thing that can be worse or better is the doctor, his education, professionalism, work experience, and responsibility. Knowledge of the specifics of administering a particular drug must be supported by a doctor with an appropriate certificate (nowadays every selling company provides training in working with its drugs). And only a doctor who knows the intricacies of working with a particular drug can determine which drug to choose and use for a particular patient.

Putilova Natalya Yurievna, dermatocosmetologist, candidate of medical sciences

https://estetmedicina.ru/kosmetologia/rubrika-za-i-protiv/kakoy-botulotoksin-tipa-a-luchshe/

Or maybe Dysport?

In its rather mild effect, Xeomin is very similar to another analogue of Botox - the French Dysport. It also appeared on the market relatively recently - in the early 2000s, but is already quite confidently competing with Botox. Although its first and most significant advantage was the price - it is much lower than its analogues.

Another important difference between Dysport and Xeomin is in additional substances. It does not contain sucrose, but contains lactose, to which 0.5-1% of patients are allergic. And this must also be taken into account when choosing a drug. Xeomin contains several times more albumin, a protein from human blood plasma.

In terms of speed and duration of action, these drugs are almost identical. But the dosage of Dysport will require much more, so the price difference for the procedure due to the volume of product used is practically leveled out.

But again, the choice of specialists is often influenced by their knowledge - “Dysport” has been used longer and is considered more predictable.

Reviews from those who have experienced it

Botox injections are an excellent tool for preventing expression lines. Hello! I first thought about Botox at the age of 23. I began to notice strong depressions between my eyebrows when I started squinting my eyes from the sun or getting very indignant))) It took a long time for the lines to smooth out. This greatly spoiled my young face. So I went for a consultation with a cosmetologist. Important: Skin must be clean, without makeup. She advised me 10 units. (this is how the dose of Botox is measured). Before the injection, they put a cap on me and wiped my forehead, after which they applied “freeze”. Of course, you can feel the needle, but there is no severe pain. After the procedure, we were told about the restrictions that must be observed for seven days. The effect does not appear immediately, for me it takes a week, maybe a little more. The results last for about a year. And during the second year, you manage to frown, but the wrinkle quickly smoothes out. I did this procedure three times, at 23, 25 and 28 years old. This procedure cannot be called useful, but it is effective.

Pollirich, St. Petersburg

https://otzovik.com/review_3746235.html

Photo gallery: the effect of using Botox

Before the procedure, facial wrinkles between the eyebrows are noticeable

Wrinkles between the eyebrows are almost invisible

Dysport, botulinum toxin complex type A-hemagglutenin - I expected more from it... I’ll say right away that the procedure is not pleasant, it even hurts a little, especially on the wings of the nose, but it’s tolerable, a woman in general, it seems to me, can easily endure any pain, especially when it concerns her appearance. I didn’t feel any sensations after administering the drug; they warn that sometimes you may feel dizzy, so it is not recommended to give injections on an empty stomach, but everything went fine for me. Immediately after the injection, a slight redness appeared in their places, but after an hour it was no longer there, only small dots remained. After the procedure, there are a number of restrictions: you cannot take a horizontal position for 4 hours, bend your head down, do not drink alcohol for the next two weeks, actively play sports, do not take antibiotics, do not visit the bathhouse, sauna and solarium - all this can lead to a decrease in the effect of the drug. The effect usually occurs within 2–7 days, and its maximum is achieved after two weeks. It should be so, I’ll tell you how it was for me. Neither on the second nor on the seventh day I practically saw no difference from what was before all the manipulations and periodically blew my mind at the cosmetologist, but she reassured me that the final result should be assessed after 14 days, but I still understood that something was going wrong with me. The eyes and the area between the eyebrows behaved in all directions, and the forehead shook, forming the same crease that I hated, which simply did not want to be smoothed out. After 12 days. It can be seen that the area between the eyebrows has more or less risen, but the forehead is still wrinkled and decently. Two weeks later I came to her again, she examined me and agreed that the forehead needed more units and we added 8 more, just in the area of ​​this very folds. She made the last injections using the mesobotox technique, affecting only the superficial layers, explaining that she could not turn off this muscle completely, as this would result in the eyebrows falling into the eyes. Agree, who wants to be like Viy, in the “lift my eyelids” style, so I didn’t want to. But oddly enough, these additional units brought results. The forehead began to wrinkle much less, although the crease still remained, but it became much paler and I still hope that over time it will smooth out as much as possible. Here's a comparison of how the muscles worked before the injections and how they work now.

Reesha, Novosibirsk

https://otzovik.com/review_2572044.html

Botox preparations

From the name of the drug itself, the word “Botox” has long become a household word. This is now the name given to all products whose main active component is botulinum toxin. It was discovered at the beginning of the last century and was studied for a long time, and in the late 80s it began to be used exclusively for medicinal purposes.

Botulinum toxin is a poison, and one of the most powerful in nature . In large doses, it can cause rapid death, as it blocks the passage of nerve impulses to the muscles. But in medicinal and cosmetic doses it is used in microdoses - no more than 50-100 units in one session, but 2-3 thousand units pose a real danger.

The original Botox was patented in 1989 and literally a few years later it spread throughout the world. It is used as an effective means of combating facial wrinkles, as well as against excessive sweating. For the same purpose, a little later other similar drugs were developed.

What is Botox for?

photo from humedinternational.eu

This product, proven for decades, is used in cosmetology to hide all visible imperfections on a woman’s skin and leave the question of her age open forever. Its wrinkle-smoothing properties were accidentally discovered as a side effect during the treatment of strabismus with this drug. The wide range of uses of Botox indicates that although the drug is poisonous, in small doses it is harmless to the human body.

• Botox smoothes out facial wrinkles, both in young ladies and in older women whose skin becomes less elastic. The rejuvenating effect is achieved by relaxing the underlying muscles.

• It is used to relieve excessive sweating by injecting into the armpits, feet and palms.

• It fights crow's feet, wrinkles in the lips, nose, forehead, between the eyebrows and on the chin. This distinguishes it from modern drugs with a narrow spectrum of action.

Since this particular drug became a pioneer in the beauty industry, most dermatocosmetologists have excellent skills in selecting dosage and points of administration. Nevertheless, new products on the market are catching on the heels of a proven product, and a self-respecting cosmetologist will offer several options for botulin-containing preparations to choose from.

Which drug is more effective against wrinkles and hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis is a condition of excessive sweating of the feet, armpits and other areas of the human body. This condition is often caused by genetic factors. Increased sweating often creates discomfort, especially for the fair sex. Unpleasant symptoms are not completely eliminated even by using specially developed products - deodorants. The latter, on the contrary, can trigger the opposite effect, clogging the pores of the skin and adding irritation and inflammation of the hair follicles to the unpleasant odor.

Excessive sweating is often a real problem for a person, especially today, in an era where frequent communication with people is necessary (for example, taking into account the specifics of work). Eliminating this feature has always been a rather labor-intensive task. Drug treatment included surgical methods of radiation therapy and the use of tranquilizers. Particularly desperate patients decided to undergo auto-training and hypnosis. All of these methods were ineffective and short-term and, moreover, were accompanied by multiple side effects that negatively affected human health.

Today, the problem of excessive sweating is solved with microinjections of Dysport or Botox. The problem area is pricked with a thin needle, blocking the work of the sweat glands, and sweating is significantly reduced. The result lasts 6-9 months.

As for the effectiveness of eliminating hyperhidrosis, experts still give the palm to Dysport, although Botox is considered a very effective drug. But Dysport is able to penetrate not only into the injection site, but also into nearby tissues. From the point of view of eliminating wrinkles, this is rather a minus, since the property provokes side effects - swelling and hematomas. However, in the process of blocking the gonads, this feature is more of an advantage than a disadvantage. After all, by affecting a wider area, Dysport will quickly eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of excessive sweating.

Modern drug Dysport as an alternative to Botox

photo from the site www.kosmetiksiti.com

Another drug that corrects imperfections on the face is Dysport. The active component in it is also a type A neurotoxin, only one injection of Dysport contains 3 times less of it than in Botox, not to mention Xeomin. If a cosmetologist offers a choice of Botox, Dysport, Xeomin or other analogues, weigh all the pros and cons of each of them.

Advantages of Dysport

• Compared to other drugs, its effect on facial wrinkles is noticeable a little faster. When asking the question “Botox, Dysport or Xeomin: which is better?”, when you need to adjust your appearance for an important unexpected event, rely on Dysport.

• It stays in the muscles longer than Xeomin, and some scientists believe that it lasts longer than Botox, but there has been no official confirmation of this yet.

• Its penetrating ability is high, which can be considered both a plus and a minus. Diffusion may lead to undesirable effects on the skin because the spread of Dysport through tissue is difficult to control. Sometimes this is followed by drooping of the eyebrows and eyelids. However, in some cases the possibility of diffusion is useful: it is suitable for smoothing out deep wrinkles on the forehead and bridge of the nose. Many professionals believe that this property, when properly applied, provides greater naturalness.

• There are no protein complexes in it, and therefore the likelihood of allergies is practically excluded.

photo from www.makeup-pics.org

Disadvantages of Dysport

• Like Botox, it must be stored in special conditions at a temperature of 2-8°C. You will not be able to get a guarantee that transportation was proper and the drug has not lost its properties.

• It will take 3 times more Dysport than Botox to get the same result. But don’t despair, there won’t be any dramatic differences in price.

It is used medicinally to eliminate hyperhidrosis, facial spasms, to relieve hypertonicity after a stroke, and to correct wrinkles on the neck, around the eyes and in the area between the eyebrows.

Contraindications

All drugs in this group have numerous contraindications. The main thing is individual intolerance, so it is very important to do a test before using any product for the first time. Beauty injections are not given for:

• increased body temperature for any reason;
• weakened immune system;
• the presence of active viruses and infections;
• skin diseases in the problem area;
• disorders of the liver or kidneys;
• oncological and autoimmune diseases;
• insulin-dependent diabetes;
• pregnancy and breastfeeding.

You should not inject Botox during menstruation - this will cause severe swelling, increase bleeding and reduce the effectiveness of the drugs. Not to mention that due to the increased sensitivity of the skin, the injections will be very painful.