BOTOX COSMETIC® treatments have been in use for more than a decade and have become the most common cosmetic procedure in the world with over 11 million aesthetic injections having been administered. (source: Allergan Inc.). Now other types of neuromodulators utilized to treat wrinkles have become available. How do they differ and what should be considered? We spoke with Dr. Rivers to find out more.
First there were BOTOX® injections, now there is Xeomin® and Dysport®, which are newly available to Canadians. “These are all botulinum toxin type A strains. The difference is in how they are manufactured, “ notes Dr. Rivers. “In addition Dysport dosing differs from BOTOX COSMETIC®: two and a half units approximates one unit of BOTOX®.”
Dysport (pronounced “diss-sport”), which has been a tried-and-true wrinkle treatment in Europe for many years and is approved in 70 countries, has only recently been approved by HEalth Canada in April 2013.
Is it any different? “Some believe there’s more diffusion (spreading) with Dysport,” says Dr. Rivers. This technically would mean fewer injections are needed, but also would require a very skilled professional to ensure that the drug doesn’t spread to unwanted areas. “Dysport may start to work faster and is particularly useful for crow’s feet around the eyes and forehead lines.”
Xeomin Cosmetic and BOTOX COSMETIC® units are “interchangeable”. Dr. Rivers explains, “It’s is a one-to-one dosing regimen. There is a theory that Xeomin is less likely to cause an allergic reaction to this product, but this remains unproven.” Xeomin was approved by Health Canada in April 2012.
So when is it used? If BOTOX® isn’t working as well for an individual, they can try Xeomin to see if there’s a difference. “From my perspective, they’re very similar in effects and duration but BOTOX® has the most study evidence and experience behind it.”