Botox vs Dysport comes down to dosing, onset and feel, not one being stronger than the other. Both are FDA-approved botulinum toxin type A injections for frown lines, both soften lines by relaxing the muscle underneath, and both typically last around three to four months. The differences are in how they are dosed, how quickly some patients notice them, and which areas each is approved to treat.
The essentials
- Same family, different formulas. Botox Cosmetic is onabotulinumtoxinA; Dysport is abobotulinumtoxinA. Their units are not interchangeable, according to both FDA labels.
- Different numbers, same goal. The label dose for frown lines is 20 units of Botox Cosmetic versus 50 units of Dysport. A higher Dysport number does not mean a stronger treatment.
- Onset. In Dysport’s pivotal trials, the median time to onset was 2 to 3 days. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says botulinum toxin results show within a few days, with the full effect taking up to a week.
- Approvals. Botox Cosmetic is FDA-approved for four cosmetic areas (frown lines, crow’s feet, forehead lines and platysma bands). Dysport’s cosmetic approval covers frown lines.
- The best choice is the one your injector can dose precisely for your face. Technique and placement matter more than the brand on the vial.
What is the difference between Botox and Dysport?
Botox and Dysport are both purified forms of botulinum toxin type A made by different manufacturers. They work the same way: they block the nerve signal that tells a muscle to contract, so the skin above it creases less. The practical differences are the unit scale, the approved treatment areas and, for some patients, how quickly the effect appears.
Botox Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) is made by Allergan Aesthetics. Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA) has been FDA-approved in the U.S. since April 2009, according to its prescribing information. Each product has its own manufacturing process and its own potency testing, which is why the FDA labels for both state plainly that their units cannot be swapped one for one with any other botulinum toxin product.
That last point is the one patients most often misunderstand. When you see a quote of “50 units” for Dysport and “20 units” for Botox, you are not being offered more product with Dysport. You are seeing two different measuring systems.
Botox vs Dysport at a glance
The table below uses the FDA prescribing information for each product and the manufacturer and ASPS data cited in the notes. It covers the questions patients ask most at consultation.
| Factor | Botox Cosmetic | Dysport |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | onabotulinumtoxinA | abobotulinumtoxinA |
| Label dose for frown lines (glabellar lines) | 20 units total, 5 injection sites | 50 units total, 5 injections of 10 units |
| Other FDA-approved cosmetic areas | Crow’s feet (24 units), forehead lines with frown lines (40 units), platysma bands (26 to 36 units) | None beyond frown lines |
| Typical onset | Within a few days, full effect up to a week (ASPS) | Median 2 to 3 days in pivotal trials (manufacturer) |
| How long it lasts | About 3 to 4 months (ASPS) | Up to 4 months per the FDA label; the manufacturer cites up to 5 months in a post-hoc analysis |
| Retreatment interval | Dosing more often than every 3 months has not been clinically evaluated | No more often than every 3 months |
| Units interchangeable? | No | No |
Sources: Botox Cosmetic prescribing information, Dysport prescribing information, Dysport FAQs (Galderma), American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Why does Dysport need more units than Botox?
Dysport needs more units because its units are measured on a different scale, not because it is weaker. On their FDA labels, the frown-line dose is 50 units of Dysport and 20 units of Botox Cosmetic, a 2.5 to 1 ratio for that one area. Your injector converts between them, so the result you aim for is the same.
This matters for pricing too. Many practices price neurotoxins per unit, so a per-unit Dysport price will usually look lower than a per-unit Botox price. Comparing the total cost of treating the area is the only fair way to compare. If you want to understand how unit counts build up by area, our guide to how many Botox units each area needs walks through the common ranges.
One honest caveat: the 2.5 to 1 figure comes from comparing two label doses for frown lines. Injectors use their own conversion in practice based on the area, muscle strength and the result you want, and published conversion ratios vary. That is a judgment call for a trained provider, not a formula to apply at home.
Does Dysport work faster than Botox?
Some patients notice Dysport slightly sooner. In Dysport’s pivotal frown-line trials, the median time to onset was 2 to 3 days, and a share of participants reported a change by day 1. For Botox and other botulinum toxins, the ASPS describes results within a few days, with the full effect taking up to a week.
Two things are worth keeping in perspective. First, the Dysport onset figures come from the manufacturer’s trials and are based on patient self-assessment, so they are not a direct head-to-head comparison with Botox. Second, a difference of a day or two rarely changes the decision. If you have an event coming up, plan your appointment at least two weeks ahead with either product so the result has settled and there is time for any adjustment.
Which lasts longer, Botox or Dysport?
For most patients they last a similar length of time, roughly three to four months. The Dysport label says its effect may last up to four months, and the manufacturer cites results lasting up to five months in an analysis of two pivotal studies. The ASPS puts botulinum toxin results at about three to four months.
How long either one lasts for you depends far more on your own factors than on the brand. Stronger muscles, a higher metabolism, very expressive habits and lower doses can all shorten the effect. Our guide on how long Botox lasts covers what tends to shorten or extend results.
Does Dysport spread more than Botox?
You will often read that Dysport “spreads” more, which some injectors see as an advantage for broad areas like the forehead and others see as a reason to prefer Botox for small, precise zones. The evidence is mixed, and how far any toxin diffuses depends heavily on the dose, the dilution and the injection technique.
What is not in question is the safety warning both products carry. Each FDA label includes a boxed warning that the toxin’s effect may spread from the injection area, with symptoms reported hours to weeks after treatment, and that swallowing and breathing difficulties can be life threatening. Those serious effects are rare at cosmetic doses, but they are the reason these injections belong in the hands of trained, medically supervised providers.
Which is better for forehead lines, crow’s feet and frown lines?
For frown lines, both are FDA-approved and both work well. For crow’s feet, forehead lines and platysma bands, only Botox Cosmetic carries FDA approval among the two. Injectors can use Dysport in other areas off-label, which is legal and common, but it is a different conversation than an on-label treatment.
- Frown lines (the “11s”): both approved. Botox at 20 units, Dysport at 50 units on label. See our page on Botox for frown lines.
- Crow’s feet: Botox Cosmetic approved at 24 units.
- Forehead lines: Botox Cosmetic approved at 40 units when treated together with frown lines.
- Platysma bands (neck): Botox Cosmetic approved, 26 to 36 units depending on the number of bands.
If you care about on-label treatment for a specific area, ask your provider which product is approved for it. It is a fair question and a good injector will answer it directly.
Who is a better candidate for Botox or Dysport?
Either can suit most healthy adults with moderate to severe expression lines. The choice usually comes down to the area, your past response and your injector’s experience with each product. Neither is right for everyone, and some people should not have botulinum toxin at all.
A few patterns we hear in consultation:
- First-timers often start with Botox because of its range of approved areas and long track record, then compare if they want to.
- Patients whose results fade quickly sometimes try a different toxin to see if it suits them better. Response varies person to person, so it is worth tracking your own timeline.
- People who want a very targeted result in small areas tend to prioritize the injector’s precision over brand.
Botulinum toxin is not recommended if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have certain neuromuscular conditions, are allergic to any ingredient, or have an infection at the injection site. Tell your provider about every medication and supplement you take, including blood thinners, and any previous toxin treatment.
What does each cost?
Cost depends on the units your area needs and how the practice prices them. Because Dysport uses more units for the same area, compare the total price for the treatment, not the per-unit price. Our Botox cost guide explains how per-unit and per-area pricing work.
At Esthetica Medspa, wrinkle relaxers start at $9 per unit with no minimums on our current promotions page, which covers Jeuveau, Letybo and other premium neurotoxins. Product availability can vary by location, so we confirm the exact options, and the total for your treatment plan, at your consultation.
How we help you choose at Esthetica Medspa
We are a women-led medical spa group with seven locations across Florida, Texas, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Delaware, and our injectables are performed under medical oversight. At your consultation, your provider looks at how your muscles move, where your lines form at rest and in motion, and how you responded to any previous treatment. Then we recommend a product and a dose, and explain why.
We will also tell you if a neurotoxin is not the right tool. Lines that are etched into the skin at rest, or volume loss, often respond better to a different approach. If you want the bigger picture across all the main options, read our guide comparing Botox with other wrinkle relaxers, or explore Botox at Esthetica Medspa. Results vary from person to person.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dysport cheaper than Botox?
Dysport often has a lower price per unit, but it takes more units to treat the same area, so the total can end up similar. Compare the full treatment price rather than the unit price.
Can I switch from Botox to Dysport?
Yes. Many patients try both over time. Your injector will convert the dose rather than repeat the same number of units, since the units are not interchangeable. Wait until your current treatment has worn off and tell your provider how the last one went.
Is Dysport or Botox better for the forehead?
Botox Cosmetic is FDA-approved for forehead lines; Dysport’s cosmetic approval covers frown lines. Some injectors use Dysport on the forehead off-label. The result depends mainly on placement and dosing, so ask your provider which they recommend and why.
How long does it take to see results?
Many patients notice a change within a few days. Dysport’s trials reported a median onset of 2 to 3 days, and the ASPS says the full botulinum toxin effect can take up to a week.
Are the side effects different?
The common side effects are similar for both, such as injection-site discomfort, headache and, less often, a temporary drooping of the brow or eyelid. Both carry the same boxed warning about the effect spreading beyond the injection area. Serious reactions are rare, and choosing a trained, medically supervised injector is the best way to lower your risk.
Does Esthetica Medspa offer Dysport?
Our neurotoxin menu includes Botox, Jeuveau and Letybo, and availability varies by location. If you are interested in a specific product, ask when you book and we will confirm what your location carries.
Ready to compare your options in person? Book a consultation at your nearest Esthetica Medspa location.
Sources
- https://drugs.com/pro/botox-cosmetic.html
- https://drugs.com/pro/dysport.html
- https://www.dysportusa.com/faqs
- https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/botulinum-toxin/results
- https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/125274s123lbl.pdf
Reviewed for accuracy against the sources above on 10/26/2026. This article is for general information and is not medical advice; your provider will recommend what is right for you.
