For many of us, the development of wrinkles seems to happen overnight. One day the space between our brows is line-free, and the next, you notice that faint creases have etched themselves into your forehead.

These lines are called frown lines, and they can make you look tired and sometimes even give you an angry-looking appearance. “Frown lines refer to the fine lines and wrinkles that develop between your eyebrows and the bridge of your nose,” explains New York dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross. “They are also commonly referred to as the ‘11s.’”

Remember that these lines are a natural part of aging and they’re even considered by most as a beautiful reminder that you’ve lived through another year. Ultimately, you don’t need to do anything about them if you aren’t bothered by them. But if you prefer a more line-free appearance, there are ways to temporarily smooth the appearance of frown lines. Here, we’ll break down a popular in-office procedure for temporarily treating moderate to severe frown lines: Dysport^® “(abobotulinumtoxinA),” which is a prescription injection for temporary improvement in the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults less than 65 year of age. (Full Important Safety Information, including Distant Spread of Toxin Effect Boxed Warning available at the end of this article.)

First, what is Dysport and how does it work?

To put it simply, Dysport is a neurotoxin that can help temporarily smooth the frown lines between your eyebrows.

“It works by temporarily blocking the nerves to the muscles in a specific area, preventing muscle contraction and repeated movements that lead to the development of the lines in the first place,” explains Dr. Gross. With Dysport, one injection into each of the five points between and above the eyebrows temporarily prevents those muscle contractions. With less movement in the specific area, wrinkles are less likely to form or worsen, yielding natural-looking results. (Full Important Safety Information is included at the end of this article.)

Who’s a good candidate for Dysport?

Luckily, many people under the age of 65 with moderate-to-severe frown lines between their eyebrows are a good candidate for Dysport. Although, there are a few exceptions.

Dysport is not right for you if you are allergic to any of Dysport’s other ingredients, including cow’s milk protein, or if you have had an allergic reaction to other neuromodulators in the past. You should also avoid Dysport if you are under 18 years old, have a skin infection at the planned injection site, or are currently pregnant or breastfeeding.

Is Dysport safe?

Dysport is a popular option that has a well-established safety profile and more than 25 years of clinical experience worldwide for therapeutic and aesthetics uses._^2-4

As with any injection, there is a potential for risks and side effects. The most common side effects of Dysport are nose and throat irritation, headache, injection site pain, injection site skin reaction, upper respiratory tract infection, eyelid swelling, eyelid drooping, sinus inflammation, and nausea.

The bottom line

Injectable neuromodulators like Dysport can work to safely minimize the appearance of frown lines, therefore creating a more refreshed, youthful look.⁵⁺

Pro tip: Don’t forget an at-home skin care regimen that incorporates active ingredients to stimulate your skin’s own production of collagen.

“Vitamin C and retinol are great for treating current [frown] lines and slowing down early signs of aging,” says Dr. Gross. “Also be sure to wear an all-physical sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day.”

With regular treatments of Dysport and a dedicated skin care routine in the works, you might be surprised at the difference you’ll see in your skin. Many people have already benefited from Dysport,⁴ so discuss it with your aesthetic provider to see if it’s right for you.

†Subject-reported at 12 months (N=120) after two treatments six months apart in a phase IV, multicenter, prospective study.

References:

1. Moy R, et al. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2009;11:77–83.
2. Schlessinger J, et al. Dermatol Surg. 2014;40:176–183.
3.  Rzany BJ, et al. JEADV. 2010;24(suppl 1):1–14.
4.  Dysport. Prescribing Information. Fort Worth, TX: Galderma Laboratories, L.P., 2020.
5. Data on file. 43USD1802 Clinical Study Report. Fort Worth, TX: Galderma Laboratories, L.P., 2020

_{Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription injection for temporary improvement in the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults less than 65 years of age.}

Important Safety Information

What is the most important information you should know about Dysport? Spread of Toxin Effects: In some cases, the effects of Dysport and all botulinum toxin products may affect areas of the body away from the injection site. Symptoms can happen hours to weeks after injection and may include swallowing and breathing problems, loss of strength and muscle weakness all over the body, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, or loss of bladder control. Swallowing and breathing problems can be life threatening and there have been reports of death. You are at the highest risk if these problems are pre‐existing before injection.

These effects could make it unsafe for you to drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities.

Do not have Dysport treatment if you: are allergic to Dysport or any of its ingredients (see the end of the Medication Guide for a list of ingredients), are allergic to cow’s milk protein, had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product, such as Myobloc®, Botox®, or Xeomin®, have a skin infection at the planned injection site, under 18 years of age, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

The dose of Dysport is not the same as the dose of any other botulinum toxin product and cannot be compared to the dose of any other product you may have used.

Tell your doctor about any swallowing or breathing difficulties and all your muscle or nerve conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease], myasthenia gravis, or Lambert‐Eaton syndrome, which may increase the risk of serious side effects including difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing. Serious allergic reactions have occurred with the use of Dysport. Dry eye has also been reported.

Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you have surgical changes to your face, very weak muscles in the treatment area, any abnormal facial change, injection site inflammation, droopy eyelids or sagging eyelid folds, deep facial scars, thick oily skin, wrinkles that can’t be smoothed by spreading them apart, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal and other natural products. Using Dysport with certain other medicines may cause serious side effects. Do not start any new medicines while taking Dysport without talking to your doctor first.

Especially tell your doctor if you: have received any other botulinum toxin product, such as Myobloc® (rimabotulinumtoxinB), Botox® (onabotulinumtoxinA), or Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA), in the last four months or any in the past (be sure your doctor knows exactly which product you received, have recently received an antibiotic by injection, take muscle relaxants, take an allergy or cold medicine, or take a sleep medicine.

Common Side Effects

The most common side effects are nose and throat irritation, headache, injection site pain, injection site skin reaction, upper respiratory tract infection, eyelid swelling, eyelid drooping, sinus inflammation, and nausea.

Ask your doctor if Dysport is right for you.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Dysport Full Prescribing Information including Medication Guide at DysportUSA.com.