I've thought a lot about getting Botox done to help get rid of some deep facial lines I've had since my early twenties. Well, I finally got Dysport done, and I honestly wish I did it years ago! I let the fear of the unknown hold me back, and if you're on the fence about having it done yourself, then I hope my honest review, and before and after photos will help you come to the right decision for you.
First off, I’m not a healthcare professional or have any deeper knowledge about Botox, Dysport, or other injectables other than what I have researched online, learned from friends’ experiences, and recommendations made by my dermatologist. This article solely contains my own opinions, personal fears, and decisions I’ve made for myself in regard to aging. I don’t want my opinions to lead you to make a decision for yourself that would make you feel uncomfortable.
I’ll refer to Botox and Dysport throughout my review. Botox is onobotulinumtoxinA. Dysport is abobotulinumtoxinA. Both are neurotoxins that are injected to block muscle contractions. So, essentially, having Botox or Dysport injected is simply blocking muscles from being able to make the same movements over and over again. By blocking those same movements, your fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed out.
I am pro “age as you choose.” To me, that simply means that however you choose to age is completely up to you and other people’s opinions should not affect your choices.
I personally reached a place where the expression lines in my forehead and the small crow’s feet lines around my eyes were bothering me. At times, it’s all I could see in a photo, and I didn’t like that I focused so much on them.
Now, let’s get into my full and completely honest review about my first Dysport experience.
When Did I Know I Wanted to Do Botox?
When I turned 30. I’m sure it was the monumental birthday that made me start to pay attention to my body as a whole. It felt like everything started to droop and wrinkles formed overnight when I turned 30. I know that’s not at all how it works, but that birthday sent me reeling about how “old” I was. Looking back, 30 obviously isn’t old at all!
What Prevented Me from Getting Botox Sooner?
Fear of the unknown prevents me from doing something more times than not. If I can’t research myself into an answer or I have nothing to go off of before an experience, I’ll procrastinate doing it all together. That’s exactly what happened to me when it came to getting Botox for the first time. I don’t like needles, so I wasn’t going to walk into a doctor’s office and willingly get Botox without any reference points. Price, finding an injectables expert, and Botox gone wrong photos also held me back.
I really dislike hidden pricing as a whole, but it stressed me out for many years knowing that I had to cover whatever the cost would be out of pocket without knowing what it would cost me. I also didn’t want to go in for a consultation, get the pricing information, be uncomfortable with the amount, and then leave the office that day without getting Botox done.
Where I Went for My Botox Appointment
I went to ClearlyDerm in Boca Raton. Elizabeth Meader, MSN, ARNP, FNP-BC did my Dysport.
Did I Get Botox or Dysport?
Meader recommended Dysport for me because I would see results faster than Botox and it would last longer than Botox. I’m scheduled to go back in about four months for a touch up.
What was the Botox Appointment Like?
I did all the initial new patient paperwork when I arrived. I provided my driver’s license and health insurance card as well. Since I went to a dermatologist’s office, sign in and paperwork is much like visiting a primary care provider for the first time.
The time I spent in the waiting room was the worst. My anxiety kicked into full gear thinking about the needles, how many injections I would need, if it would hurt, and if I could get numbing cream.
After roughly 15 minutes, I was called back and taken to a room for the consultation. This is when I met with Meador for the first time. She asked me what areas I wanted to focus on. I told her my forehead expression lines the most and then the crow’s feet that had popped up around my eyes. She mapped out my face and took notes about Dysport placement and the dose for each spot.
She told me how much Dysport would cost for what she recommended and asked if I wanted to think about it and come back or if I wanted to do it while I was there.
Since I had already psyched myself up for the needles and was already there, I told her I wanted to go ahead and do it.
They moved me to another room, prepped my skin, and then added the numbing cream I asked for. I waited about 10 minutes for the numbing cream to kick in.
Meador came in to do the injections, and the first few I barely felt at all. She got about 75% of the way through and I started to feel woozy. She could tell because she asked if I felt like I was going to pass out. Since I had never previously passed out, I wasn’t sure but knew I didn’t feel great.
She immediately tilted the chair bag, put an ice pack on my chest, and talked me down. After a few minutes I started to feel better, so she brought me a bottled water and let me finish recovering. Once I gave her the “all clear” she finished up.
It was barely five minutes from the first injection to the last injection.
We found out that the reason I almost passed out is because I hadn’t eaten that day. My appointment was at 11 am, and my morning got away from me and I didn’t have time to eat after a work meeting ended and the time I needed to leave. So word to the wise, definitely have something on your stomach before your Botox or Dysport appointment.
How Much Does Botox/Dysport Cost?
I paid $770 for Dysport in my forehead, between my eyes (the 11s), above my brows, and the side of each eye. After the consultation fee was waived and a $25 instant savings was applied by signing up with Aspire. Check to see if your doctor’s office uses Aspire or Allē. If so, you’ll earn points for every visit, and then you’ll be able to receive discounts in exchange for points.
I lost count of the number of injections she did due to almost passing out. But I have a large forehead, so I know that naturally led to needing more Dysport.
What was Post-Injection Day Like?
Post injection, she reminded me I had to stay vertical for four hours, I couldn’t work out that day, and I couldn’t fly for two days. She also warned that I may get a bit of a headache later that day.
No one could tell I had anything done when I left the office. I had no redness or swelling anywhere. So, I went about my day as usual. I left the office right about noon, got something to eat, and then went home to finish out my work day.
By 1:45 pm, I developed a bit of a headache, so I took some Advil and that helped. Overall, the headache wasn’t painful or debilitating in any way.
My forehead felt a little weird—tingly and like the numbing cream never wore off (but it had).
That evening, I had to take a bit more Advil because the headache came back.
I never developed any bruising or redness.
About One Week to See Initial Results
The first week, I felt like my forehead was super tight. It was kind of a weird feeling to literally feel like those muscles were being paralyzed. I didn’t expect to feel that. It wasn’t painful or uncomfortable in any way—just weird.
I did also see results in the first week. My forehead lines significantly relaxed and my crow’s feet were hardly noticeable.
Dysport Results at Two Weeks
My Dysport results at week two blew me away. My forehead is completely smooth, my brows have a nice lift to them, and there are no signs of crow’s feet at all around my eyes.
I feel a little stiffness in my forehead, but nothing like the first week and I know it’ll continue to dissipate as I get farther from my first appointment.
I like that I know I had Dysport done and I really like the results, but I also like knowing that strangers won’t look at me and know I had Botox done. That’s the perfect balance for me.
FAQs
What is Dysport?
Dysport is also known as abobotulinumtoxinA, which is a prescription neurotoxin that is injected to block muscle contractions. This is what improves the look of expression lines and wrinkles.
What is Botox?
Botox is also known as onabotulinumtoxinA, which is a prescription neurotoxin that is injected to block muscle contractions. This is what improves the look of expression lines and wrinkles.
Is Dysport a filler?
Dysport is not filler.
Is Botox a filler?
Botox is not filler.
Are Botox and Dysport the same thing?
Botox is onabotulinumtoxinA and Dysport is abobotulinumtoxinA, however, both are injected to block muscle contractions.
Can numbing cream be used before getting Botox or Dysport?
Yes, you can request numbing cream before Botox or Dysport is injected. It’ll take a few extra minutes for the numbing cream to work before your doctor will start injections.
Drop a note!