Botox vs Dysport - IAPAM Expert Discussion

Given the FDA approval of the new botulinum toxin A product, Dysport, in 2009, a competitor to the well establish Botox Cosmetic, the IAPAM recently queried its members and physicians with comprehensive experience in the use of botulinum toxin injectables, to develop a report comparing these two products.  This discussion is considered a critical element in the IAPAM’s comprehensive botox training programs.

Dysport has been studied in Europe since 1988, has been available for use outside the US since 1991, and was recently approved for cosmetic use in the US in May 2009. Equally, Botox has been manufactured and studied in the US since 1985, and was officially approved by the FDA for cosmetic use in April 2002.

Botox ® and Dysport ® are not interchangeable because the products are dosed and injected differently.  To assist physicians in selecting the best product for each patient’s need, a number of physicians have offered their expert comparison of Botox ®Cosmetic and Dysport ®. Read more

Aesthetic Physician Bulletin: DIY & Illegally Imported Botox

The IAPAM has surveyed experts in the cosmetic injectable field to offer this overview for aesthetic physicians, regarding some alarming and illegal trends dealing with cosmetic injectable treatments, specifically: DIY (Do It Yourself) Botox treatments and illegally imported botulinum toxin (Dysport, Botox) product. Without a doubt, proper Botox Training is critical.

The Recent DIY Botox Trend

Recently, there have been several reports regarding DIY “botox-like” injectables, which can be purchased through the internet. A woman in Texas, Laurie D’Alleva, offered consumers a botox-like product called “Freeze,” complete with a “How-To” video, so consumers could administer the botulinum toxin themselves.  “The Texas Attorney General is charging D’Alleva with several violations of state law.  She could be fined up to $25,000 per violation per day of the Texas Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act, and up to $20,000 per violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices act.”  The red-flags regarding this internet offering range from the unrealistically low pricing, indicating the product is not FDA approved, to her complete disregard for the potential life threatening side affects that can accompany the delivery of a neurotoxin into the body by an untrained, unlicensed administrator. Read more