Though both Botox and Dysport are hugely popular non-surgical options for diminishing many facial lines and wrinkles, new alternatives are often being researched. This treatment, which is called cryoneuromodulation, “appears to have the same clinical efficacy and safety comparable to the existing techniques,” according to Francis Palmer, director of facial plastic surgery at the University of Southern California School of Medicine in Los Angeles, who co-authored the study.

Rather than paralyzing the underlying muscle to smooth out the wrinkle as Botox and Dysport do, this new method freezes specific nerves in the forehead using small needles. This stops the nerve from communicating with the muscle, which causes it to relax. The smoothing effect is almost immediate and lasts about as long as botulinum toxin-based methods—three to four months.

The procedure takes about 15 minutes to complete while the patient is under a local anesthetic. Patients said the level of discomfort was similar to that experienced with Botox.

Though you may want to jump at the chance to try this new wrinkle-fighting treatment, it is still in the early stages of trails and has only been tested on forehead wrinkles. In the meantime, Botox is known to beautifully treat forehead lines, frown lines and crow’s feet.

Botox, produced by Allergan and Dysport, produced by Medicis, contain similar components of the botulinum toxin, which controls muscle movement when injected between the brows and diminishes glabellar lines and wrinkles. On top of this cosmetic use, botulinum toxin-based products have been used to treat excessive sweating and migraines and now the makers are taking the next steps in making their products widely available to those averse to injections.

So far, the news is good for consumers. The second phase in trials for topical Botox, which was completed in October, was successful. While no market date has been set for the topical version of Botox, nor for its Medicis-produced rival Dysport, needle-shy individuals can still test the possible effects of Botox by using Allergan’s Treatment Visualizer.

To learn more about injectable treatments as well as other skin care options, we encourage you to join the mailing list of Owensboro based cosmetic surgeon Dr. Edds and to call to schedule a consultation.

With only one month before the promotional program expires, Medicis has released some preliminary data suggesting that consumers who have used Dysport are satisfied with the results.

If you’re not familiar with the Dysport Challenge, here’s how the program works:

• Dysport is injected to reduce forehead creases, frown lines or crow’s feet
• Patients enroll in the Dysport Challenge program and indicate whether they wish to continue using Dysport (“Love It”) or wish to switch from Dysport to Botox (“Leave It”).
• Patients receive $150 in rebates on two Dysport treatments if they choose “Love It.”
• Patients who choose “Leave It” and opt for Botox injections during their next wrinkle treatment receive a $75 rebate.

Medicis reported that of all the patients who have registered for the Dysport Challenge thus far, only 2.6% have decided to “Leave It” since the program was launched, however this does not necessarily mean that most patients preferred Dysport over Botox, only that they are happy with Dysport results.

Similarly, expert opinion has not definitively swayed in favor of either Dysport or Botox, in part because physicians are still learning how to most effectively use the new product.  Additionally, there are very few differences between Botox and Dysport, although some studies indicate that Dysport may have a tendency to spread or migrate more than Botox after injection.

Dermatologist Dr. Michael Gold commented that Dysport data shows no difference in migration tendencies as compared to Botox “depending upon whose study you read,” and added, “If you’re experienced enough with Dysport, the spread factor is a nonissue.”

Ultimately, injector preference for Botox or Dysport will likely be determined not by differences in the two products but by differences in physicians’ comfort level using one product over another and their affiliations to the product manufacturers.

“There’s a major tug-of-war going on between physicians who utilize those toxins,” Dr. Gold said.  “Depending on whose team you’re on, your statements will generally favor that toxin over another.”

Although Medicis had planned to rebrand the product as ‘Reloxin’, they ultimately decided to retain its original European name, Dysport. (pronounced Diss-port).

Botox and Dysport both perform the same basic function – neuromuscular blocking to relax and prevent wrinkles. Dysport is said to be more diluted than Botox and perhaps, more cost effective for providers.

The April 30th announcement coincided with a 3 percent drop in Allergan’s (maker of Botox) shares, as Medicis shares jumped 14 percent. Analysts and industry professionals expect Dysport to carry a slightly lower price tag than Botox, and speculate that it may capture 30 percent of the market.