We all like having choices, and now we even have a say when it comes to smoothing away wrinkles. Recently, the FDA approved Dysport for muscle relaxation, giving Botox some serious competition.

The first question I always hear from my patients: Is Dysport better then Botox? I happened to be an investigator in the Dysport clinical trials that led to its FDA approval, and I found that it was very effective in reducing frown lines on the forehead. In many cases, patients reported that Dysport worked faster than Botox, as soon as in 24 to 36 hours. (It can take a week or more for Botox to take effect.) For many people in the trial, Dysport also seemed to last longer -- four months or more compared to about three months for Botox. Who wouldn’t love that? Just don’t get carried away and assume this is the cure-all.

So what exactly is Dysport? Like Botox, it’s a modified version of botulinum toxin A that is administered by injection and inhibits the facial muscle contractions that lead to forehead furrows, frown lines and crow’s feet. While both Dysport and Botox will smooth away what’s known as expression lines, neither will lift deep wrinkles like the ones that run from the nose to the corners of the mouth.

Dysport has been used in Europe, Asia and South America for more than a decade. Interested? Make sure it’s administered only by medical professionals who have a clinical understanding of the muscles and expressions of the face, to retain natural expressions while reducing signs of aging.