St. George, Utah · Decision Guide
Botox vs Dysport
Which Is Right for You?
An honest, side-by-side comparison from Janessa Kraupp-Sampson, MSN, FNP-BC — a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who also trains other injectors. Both products are available at Aera Medical in St. George.
Same Family. Different Personalities.
Botox and Dysport are both botulinum toxin type A injectables — they relax facial muscles to soften dynamic wrinkles (lines made by expression). Both are FDA-approved. Both are produced by reputable manufacturers (Botox by Allergan, Dysport by Galderma). At a cellular level, they work identically.
The differences are practical: how quickly they kick in, how they spread in tissue, how they're dosed, and how they feel in skilled hands. The right product for you depends on which area is being treated, how fast you want results, and your personal preference.
Side by Side
| Botox | Dysport | |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | onabotulinumtoxinA | abobotulinumtoxinA |
| Manufacturer | Allergan (AbbVie) | Galderma |
| FDA approved | 2002 (cosmetic) | 2009 (cosmetic) |
| Onset | 3–7 days | 2–3 days |
| Peak result | ~14 days | ~10 days |
| Duration | 3–4 months typical | 3–4 months typical |
| Dose ratio | 1 unit | ~2.5–3 units = 1 Botox unit |
| Spread / diffusion | Tighter, more localized | Slightly wider spread |
| Best fit | Crow's feet, lip flip, precise targets | Forehead, glabella, larger areas |
| Per-unit price | Higher | Lower |
| Total session price | Comparable | Comparable |
Which One Should You Pick?
Choose Dysport if:
- You have an event in 4–7 days and need it visible fast
- You want to treat a wide area like the forehead or 11s
- You've tried Botox before and want something different
Choose Botox if:
- You want precise targeting (crow's feet, lip flip, jawline slimming)
- It's your first time and you want the most-studied option
- You've used it successfully before — no need to switch
Honestly: most patients don't notice a difference
If you ask Janessa during your consultation, she'll often tell you that for many face shapes and goals, either works beautifully. The injector's technique matters far more than the product label.
Provider
Janessa Kraupp-Sampson, MSN, FNP-BC
Janessa is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science in Nursing. Her clinical foundation is in dermatologic conditions — diagnosing and treating skin disease before transitioning into aesthetic medicine. She also runs a 90-day injector training program for other nurses, which means she's teaching the technique, not just performing it.
See full Botox & Dysport page →Frequently Asked Questions
Neither is universally better — they're both onabotulinumtoxinA-class neuromodulators (Botox is onabotulinumtoxinA, Dysport is abobotulinumtoxinA) with the same active mechanism. Most patients can use either successfully. Dysport tends to kick in faster (2–3 days vs Botox's 3–7 days), spreads slightly more, and is often better for larger areas like the forehead. Botox is precise, predictable, and the original — usually the better choice for narrow targets like crow's feet or lip flips.
Both typically last 3–4 months in most patients, though Dysport may last slightly shorter (3 months) or slightly longer (4+ months) depending on the individual and the area. Heavier muscle use (athletes, expressive faces) can shorten duration for both. Janessa tracks longevity at follow-up to optimize your dosing schedule.
Per-unit, Dysport is priced lower than Botox — but it takes more Dysport units to equal the same effect (roughly 1 Botox unit = 2.5–3 Dysport units). The total cost per treatment is usually similar. At Aera Medical Aesthetics, sessions typically range $200–$600 depending on areas treated. Janessa will quote both options at your consultation so you can compare.
Yes. Many patients alternate or switch entirely. Both products work the same way at a cellular level, so your body doesn't 'lose tolerance' or get a different result long-term. The main reason to switch is preference — some patients prefer Dysport's faster onset; others like Botox's tighter precision.
Yes. Aera Medical Aesthetics carries both Botox and Dysport at our St. George, Utah location. Janessa Kraupp-Sampson, MSN, FNP-BC will recommend the right product based on your facial anatomy, the areas you want treated, and your priorities (speed of onset vs duration vs precision).
Side-effect profiles are essentially identical: mild bruising at injection sites, occasional headache, rare droopy eyelid (ptosis) if injected incorrectly. Both products are equally safe when administered by an experienced injector. The risk of complication is far more about provider technique than which product is used.
When dosed appropriately, results are virtually indistinguishable to most patients. The differences are in timing (Dysport visible faster, often by day 3) and slight diffusion patterns. Your friends won't be able to tell which one you got — your face will simply look smoother and well-rested.
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule your complimentary consultation with Janessa Kraupp-Sampson, MSN, FNP-BC at Aera Medical Aesthetics in St. George, Utah.
393 E Riverside Dr, Ste 103, St. George, UT 84790