If you’re anything like us, you’re probably already stocked up on anti-aging toners, serums and moisturizers. While there’s no denying that these products can work wonders on improving the appearance of your skin, there comes a time when all the products in the world can’t fully minimize fine lines and wrinkles to the point that you’re hoping for.

Fortunately, prescription injectable neurotoxins, like Dysport^® (abobotulinumtoxinA)* are available to help temporarily smooth those pesky, moderate to severe frown lines between the brows. And while there once was a time that the “frozen” look was associated with these types of injectables, that’s not the case now. (*Full Important Safety Information, including Distant Spread of Toxin Effect Boxed Warning, available at the end of this article.)

So, if you’re curious about trying out this injectable, we’ve got you covered. Here, we tapped Miami plastic surgeon G. Jackie Yee, MD to break down everything to know about Dysport and explain why you likely won’t lose those precious facial expressions after treatment.

First, why do some people get the “frozen” look from injectables?

To understand why some people can look “frozen” after injections, it’s important to understand how these treatments work. “Dysport is an injectable medication that is a neurotoxin,” explains Dr. Yee. “A neurotoxin blocks muscle contraction, and by controlling or limiting muscle contractions that create wrinkles, Dysport can be used to treat and help smooth those frown lines between your eyebrows [from forming or worsening].”

However, if this neurotoxin is administered incorrectly or is overdone, patients may have such minimal facial movement that their face looks frozen. Luckily, this look is easily avoidable and not permanent.

How can you avoid the “frozen” look?

“A patient can avoid getting the ‘frozen look’ by choosing an injector with adequate training and experience with injecting neuromodulators,” explains Dr. Yee. “Each state has different laws and rules as to who is legally allowed to purchase and inject FDA-approved neurotoxins.” 

To ensure that the desired outcome is achieved, Dr. Yee recommends that all patients clearly discuss which areas on the face they want to treat and what they are expecting from the treatment. “If someone has previously been treated with neurotoxins, I always ask what their experience was pertaining to pain, duration, muscle contraction, the frozen look, brow heaviness, brow lifting, wrinkle correction, and wrinkle worsening,” she says. “I think communication between patients and their injectors is one of the most important aspects to ensuring the outcome is a success.”

As with any injection, there is a potential for risks and side effects, so be sure to discuss with your injector. 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.

Why is Dysport a good option for those who like a little movement in their face post-treatment?

According to Dr. Yee, Dysport is a great choice for those that want to avoid too little facial movement because it can precisely treat the targeted wrinkle-causing muscles between your brows. “Therefore, [you are] leaving the muscles that you do not want to be affected to still be able to contract and express emotion naturally,” she explains. “Leaving muscles unaffected by neurotoxins is just as important as injecting the correct targeted muscles.”

However, it is important to note that in some cases, the effects of Dysport and all botulinum toxin products may affect areas of the body away from the injection site and can lead to serious side effects. See the bottom of this article for more important safety information, including Distant Spread of Toxin Effect Boxed Warning.

The bottom line

Dysport is a safe and effective option for temporarily softening fine lines and wrinkles between your brows without dramatically altering your authentic appearance, resulting in natural-looking results. In fact, 98 percent of users^† say their results looked natural and 97 percent of users^† say they would get Dysport again^1**. In order to ensure you get the results you’re looking for, though, be sure to see an experienced injector and clearly communicate the outcome you’re looking for.

† Users = clinical trial subjects

** Subject’s satisfaction and self-perception reported 3 weeks after treatment (n=531).

References:

1. Molina B, Grangier Y, Mole B, et al. Patient satisfaction after the treatment of glabellar lines with Botulinum toxin type A (Speywood Unit): a multi-centre European observational study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015;29(7):1382-1388.

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.}