So the question on everyone’s lips: does Dysport last longer than Botox? If you’ve ever sat in your bathroom mirror pulling at your forehead lines or squinting at those crow’s feet and wondering whether it’s worth switching from Botox to Dysport, you’re not alone. Everyone wants the injectable treatment that works faster, lasts longer, and doesn’t drain your wallet. The thing is, it’s not as black and white as the marketing makes it sound. Let’s break it down like we would if you texted me before your appointment: all the nerdy science, the “why it actually works,” and the little details nobody tells you until you’re sitting in the plastic surgeon’s chair with a needle hovering over your face.
The Science
Here’s the unglamorous truth: both Botox and Dysport are injectable treatments that sneak a botulinum toxin type into the little junction where your nerve talks to your muscle (think of it like the Wi-Fi router between brain and biceps). Normally, your nerves blast out a chemical called acetylcholine that tells the muscle, “contract.” Both of these injectables break the router. No signal gets through, so the muscle just…chills. That’s why the skin above it stops creasing every time you raise your brows or squint.
Now, where it gets tricky is in how the two brands are “packaged.” Imagine two people bringing the same drink to a party – one in a giant cooler, the other in a smaller water bottle. Same drink inside, but the way it moves around the room is different. Botox has the big cooler-heavier protein complexes around the toxin, so it stays more contained at the exact injection site. Dysport’s packaging is lighter, so it kind of seeps out faster and spreads across a wider patch of muscle. That’s why Dysport can feel better for smoothing a broad forehead, and Botox is great when you need sniper-level precision, like hitting crow’s feet without messing with nearby muscles that you still want working.
And here’s a piece almost nobody explains: once the toxin is inside the nerve, it chops up a protein called SNAP-25, which is part of the release machinery for acetylcholine. Without SNAP-25, the nerve literally can’t “press send” on the contraction signal. Over time, your body rebuilds SNAP-25 and even grows new nerve endings to bypass the block. That’s when the muscle movement (and the wrinkles) start creeping back. How long that takes isn’t just about whether you picked Botox or Dysport. It’s also about how fast your nerves regenerate, how strong your muscles are to begin with, and even how your immune system reacts to those protein “wrappers.”
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that minimises wrinkles, prevents premature aging, and gives your complexion a youthful glow? Download your FREE “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
Speed: Which Cosmetic Treatment Works Faster?
If you’re impatient (hi, most of us), Dysport usually wins. You’ll start noticing Dysport treatments deliver results in about 2-3 days. With Botox treatments, you’re more likely waiting 4-7 days before you see real change. It’s like Dysport runs into the party and starts dancing immediately, while Botox takes its time ordering a drink first. But don’t confuse “faster” with “lasting longer.” Speed to show up and how long they stick around are two different things.
The Million Dollar Question: Does Dysport Last Longer Than Botox?
Here’s the gritty breakdown: some legit studies suggest Botox can outlast Dysport in certain medical uses. For example, one clinical trial tracking conditions like blepharospasm and cervical dystonia found that Botox effects lasted significantly longer. About 62.2 days versus 47.4 days with Dysport for blepharospasm; and 64.3 vs 44.6 days respectively for cervical dystonia. That’s the kind of hard data nobody usually drops casually.
Then there’s the aesthetic side. A review published in the British Dental Journal reported that Botox lasted an average of 4.14 months (about 18 weeks), while Dysport came in at around 3.87 months (roughly 17 weeks)-so the gap exists, but it’s not monumental.
Most cosmetic clinics and dermatologists tend to say the difference in lifespan is minimal. For example, Cleveland Clinic notes both injectables generally last about four months, but Dysport tends to take effect quicker – within a couple of days, versus around a week for Botox.
So, yes, some clinical studies shows Botox lasts a bit longer in certain clinical conditions. But in your everyday, non-medical wrinkle-fixing scenario? They’re both riding in the same 3-4 month zone. And when it dips to 5-6 months, that’s more likely thanks to your unique biology or lucky nerve regeneration, not just the brand name.
Why Do They Feel Different Then?
Couple reasons:
- Units aren’t the same: You can’t compare one Botox unit to one Dysport unit. It usually takes about 2.5-3 Dysport units to equal 1 unit of Botox. That’s why your injector might say you need “60 units” of Dysport and you’ll panic, thinking it’s more than your usual 20 Botox units – but it evens out.
- Spread matters: Dysport spreads out more, so it’s great for larger areas like forehead lines but can be tricky if you want very targeted work on specific areas. Botox stays put, which makes it better if precision is key.
- Your own body: Everyone metabolizes botulinum toxin injections differently. If you’re super expressive, constantly raising your brows or squinting at your phone, you’ll burn through results faster no matter which brand you pick.
Related: Botox For Smoker’s Lines: How Many Units Do You Actually Need?
Who’s A Good Candidate?
If you’re the kind of person who frowns a lot, squints at your laptop, or has forehead lines that stay even when your face is “at rest,” you’re the classic candidate. These wrinkle treatments work best on dynamic wrinkles (the ones caused by muscle contractions and movement). If your lines are super deep and carved in, you might need a combo approach (like adding fillers). Good candidates are usually:
- Adults in decent health who want to soften lines without surgery.
- People with crow’s feet, frown lines, forehead wrinkles, or glabella lines.
- Folks who want a smoother, more rested look, but still want to move their face (this isn’t about turning into a statue).
If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, dealing with certain neuromuscular disorders, or allergic to any ingredients in these injectables, you’re not a good candidate. That’s a hard no.
Cost & The Whole Money Thing
Here’s the part nobody loves to talk about: the total cost. Botox injections are priced per botox unit, usually somewhere in the $10-$25 range. Dysport injections are cheaper per unit ($4-$8), but since you need more units of Dysport to equal Botox, the bill doesn’t always come out dramatically lower. Sometimes Dysport still ends up a little cheaper overall, sometimes not. Depends on your clinic. A good plastic surgeon or injector won’t just sell you what’s cheapest; they’ll recommend what gives you the best results to treat your facial lines without compromising your facial expressions.
What’s The Best Option For You?
Think about what bugs you most:
- If you’ve got facial wrinkles across bigger spaces like frown lines and you want results to show up quickly before an event, Dysport might be your jam.
- If you’re targeting smaller areas like crow’s feet or the glabellar lines between your brows and you want a tighter, more precise effect, Botox could be better.
- If you’re pairing with dermal fillers as part of a bigger cosmetic procedure, your injector may mix and match depending on your goals.
And remember: both Botox results and Dysport results are temporary. You’ll be back in the chair every 3-4 months if you want to maintain that smooth, youthful appearance.
The Bottom Line
Here’s the deal: neither Botox nor Dysport is some magical, forever fix. They both hang around for a few months, they both smooth the appearance of fine lines, and they both fade out when your body decides it’s time. Dysport might kick in faster and spread more, Botox might last a touch longer for some people, but for most of us? They’re pretty much neck and neck. What really matters is the injector who’s holding the needle and how your own body reacts. End of story.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
