Dysport is one of the many trade names for the neurotoxic protein called botulinum toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In large doses, the protein causes botulism, a rare paralytic illness often linked to food poisoning.

However, the protein is used in cosmetic medicine to treat moderate to severe brow furrow (glabellar lines), uncontrolled blinking, lazy eye, wrinkles, and facial creases. These procedures use a small amount of diluted botulinum toxin that enables controlled weakening of muscles.

Dysport is a simple, effective, non-surgical treatment that works by relaxing facial muscles on the forehead, thereby reducing and smoothing away frown-lines and wrinkles.

Dysport is supported by over a decade of clinical experience. Dysport was developed in the United Kingdom in the early 1990s to successfully treat a number of neurological and ophthalmic conditions. Since that time, with an increased understanding of the uses of Dysport, thousands of treatments have been safely and effectively performed for a variety of conditions ranging from frown lines to axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating under the armpits).

How does Dysport work?

Dysport works to relax the contraction of muscles by blocking nerve impulses. The result is muscles that can no longer contract, and so the wrinkles relax and soften. It usually takes two to four days to see cosmetic improvement and the effects tend to last from four to six months. Most patients require retreatment to remove wrinkles and lines as they begin to reappear, but after each injection the wrinkles return as less severe as the muscles are trained to relax

In New Zealand, Dysport has been used for many years, by eye specialists and neurologists, to treat nervous tics and muscle spasms of the face and neck.

In fact, Dysport has been available in New Zealand for over 12 years for treating neuro-muscular conditions and was the first botulinum toxin Type A to be approved in New Zealand for medical use.