Dysport and Juvederm Injections in Albany
Dysport® Injectable
Prescription Dysport® injectable is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for temporarily lessening or eliminating moderate-to-severe frown lines between the eyebrows. Like BOTOX® Cosmetic, Dysport injectable is placed directly into the muscle underneath a furrow, weakening the muscle to the point where it cannot contract.
What is Dysport Made From?
Dysport, also known as Reloxin, is made from a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum; it is the same neurotoxin used in BOTOX Cosmetic.
What can Dysport Injections Be Used For?
Medically, Dysport injectable is used to treat excessive underarm sweating; symptoms of cervical dystonia, which include neck pain and abnormal head position; and muscle spasms. Cosmetically, Dysport injections are used to treat the following:
- Forehead furrows
- Frown lines
- Crow’s feet
- Skin bands on the neck
Dysport Injection Procedure
Using a very fine needle, Dysport injectable is placed directly into facial muscles that are causing furrows and lines. No anesthetic is required, but some doctors choose to numb the area to be injected with ice packs or a topical anesthetic cream. Results can usually be seen within a few days of treatment, and typically last up to 4 months, although areas that are treated on a regular basis may retain results longer. Injections should be given only by qualified medical professionals such as Dr. Roth.
Who is an Ideal Candidate for Dysport?
According to the manufacturer’s website, candidates for Dysport injectable are “adults less than 65 years of age” who want “temporary improvement in the look of moderate-to-severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines).” It may not be suitable for those with the following:
- Allergies to Dysport injectable or its ingredients
- An allergy to cow’s milk protein
- Surgical facial changes
- Very weak muscles in the treatment area
- A face that looks very different on each side
- Inflammation or infection in the area to be injected
- Droopy eyelids or sagging eyelid folds
- Deep facial scars
- Thick, oily skin
- Wrinkles that cannot be smoothed when spread apart
Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, or has a neuromuscular disease, should not receive Dysport injectable.
Dysport vs. BOTOX Cosmetic
Although made from the same bacterium, there is anecdotal evidence that Dysport injectable may last longer, spread farther and take effect more quickly than BOTOX Cosmetic.
Possible Side Effects of Dysport
Side effects of Dysport injectable are usually mild and temporary, and normal activities may be resumed immediately after receiving injections. Injection-site side effects include the following:
- Pain
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Redness
- Bleeding
- Bruising
Eyelids can droop when Dysport injections are made in the glabellar region; they usually return to normal within 3 weeks. Side effects of Dysport injectable are the same as those of BOTOX Cosmetic.
JUVÉDERM® XC Injectable Gel
JUVÉDERM® XC injectable gel is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved dermal filler that, according to its manufacturer, Allergan, Inc., is designed to “temporarily treat moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds such as nasolabial folds” in people older than 21. Unlike the original JUVÉDERM injectable gel, JUVÉDERM XC is infused with lidocaine to make its injection more comfortable.
How does JUVÉDERM XC Work?
JUVÉDERM XC is a smooth-consistency gel that restores volume to the skin, and smooths away moderate-to-severe facial wrinkles and folds. It is made of hyaluronic acid (HA), a sugar that occurs naturally in the body. In terms of the skin, HA’s role is to deliver nutrients and hydration, and act as a cushioning agent. Young, healthy skin contains a lot of HA, but factors that include aging and sun exposure reduce the amount, causing skin to lose structure and volume. JUVÉDERM XC is most effective in improving the appearance of nasolabial folds, the lines that run from the bottom of the nose to the corner of the mouth on both sides of the face.
JUVÉDERM XC Injectable Gel Procedure
JUVÉDERM XC injections take about 15 minutes to administer in a doctor’s office. A fine needle is used for the injection, which is given under the skin in the targeted area to add volume or fill in wrinkles and folds. Because JUVÉDERM XC contains lidocaine to improve comfort, an anesthetic may not be needed. However, a doctor may still elect to use a topical anesthetic on the area to be treated before giving the injection. Afterword, the doctor may gently massage the treated area(s).
Recovery after JUVÉDERM XC
Once treatment is completed, patients can return, with virtually no downtime, to their regular activities. For the first 24 hours after treatment, to reduce the risk of complications, patients should avoid strenuous exercise, excessive sun or heat exposure, and alcohol consumption.
Results Of JUVÉDERM XC Injectable Gel
The results of JUVÉDERM XC are visible immediately after injection; any swelling and bruising, to which ice can be applied, should subside during the next few days. Results can last 6 to 9 months, and, in some cases, up to year. However, according to its manufacturer, “Results from injectable dermal filler vary and correction is temporary. Supplemental ‘touch up’ treatments may be required to achieve and maintain optimal correction of . . . wrinkles and folds.”
What Are The Risks of JUVÉDERM XC Injectable Gel?
Although JUVÉDERM XC is considered safe, there is a risk of side effects. They are usually limited to the injection site, and include the following:
- Redness
- Pain or tenderness
- Firmness
- Swelling
- Lumps or bumps
- Bruising
- Itching
- Discoloration
- Infection
For customized treatment, Allergan, Inc., offers two types of JUVÉDERM XC: JUVÉDERM Ultra XC, which is suitable for superficial facial lines and folds, and JUVÉDERM Ultra Plus XC, a stronger formulation that is used for deeper facial folds and lines. JUVÉDERM XC is the first HA filler that is FDA-approved for use on people of color.
JUVÉDERM Voluma®
To learn more about our minimally-invasive injectable options, schedule an appointment with Malcolm Z. Roth MD, FACS. Our Albany, NY practice can be reached at 518-262-2229.
