Botox vs Dysport: what the labels say

MedSpaGrades editorial teamUpdated 22 Oct 20264 sources checkedHow we write

People often ask which is "better". The sources we read do not answer that, and we do not either. What they do show is how the two labels differ. This page sets them side by side, with the dates and sections they come from.

What each label says

Botox Cosmetic and Dysport are both botulinum toxin type A products. The FDA lists them, with Xeomin and Jeuveau, as injectable drugs that keep muscles from tightening. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), a society of plastic surgeons, lists Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau and Daxxify together as commonly known types.

The table is taken from the two labels (Botox Cosmetic revised 10/2024, Dysport revised 09/2023). It covers cosmetic use only. Dysport's label also covers non-cosmetic uses, which are left out here.

Two points the table does not show. First, the Dysport label's cosmetic indication is for adults younger than 65, and the Botox Cosmetic label's is for adults, with no upper age in the indication. The Botox label does say the responder rates in its studies appeared to be higher in people younger than 65 than in people 65 or older. Second, the Dysport label says the product may contain trace amounts of cow's milk protein and lists a known allergy to it as a contraindication. The Botox label's contraindications are an allergy to any botulinum toxin preparation or to a component of the formulation, and infection at the injection site.

Units are not interchangeable

Both labels say the same thing: units of one product cannot be compared with or converted into units of any other botulinum toxin product. A unit is a measure of that product's own strength. So a clinic's price per unit for Botox and its price per unit for Dysport cannot be compared directly. Ask for the total quote for the areas to be treated, and what it includes.

What the studies showed, and what they cannot tell you

Each label reports its own studies, with its own design and its own way of rating results. The Botox label says that adverse reaction rates observed in one drug's trials cannot be directly compared with another drug's. The same caution applies to results. The labels do not compare the two drugs with each other.

For frown lines, the Botox label says the effect lasts approximately 3 to 4 months. The Dysport label says it may last up to four months. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), a society of dermatologists who do surgery, says neuromodulators typically last about three months. These figures come from different sources and different measures. They do not name a winner.

How to decide, as a conversation

The choice of product is made with your provider, who knows your health history, the areas to be treated and what they have available. Some questions that follow from the labels:

Sources and where to read more

See Botox: what it is, what the label says and Dysport: what it is, what the label says for each product on its own.