Botox Has a Competitor

Botox, Plastic Surgery, Wrinkle Removal Comments (0)

Competition is something America is built upon.

The guy or gal who comes along with a better mouse trap at a more attractive price is a thing of legend and a boon to consumers.

With something like 2.5 million Botox procedures done last year in the United States, it was only a matter of time somebody, somewhere came along with the same – or slightly different – product to remove wrinkles.

The battle is at hand. And the first soldiers will probably be dollars and cents.

The new rival, Dysport, just received FDA clearance and will be available in plastic surgery offices and clinics within a month or two.

The word among surgeons at the annual meeting of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) is that one thing is certain: Dysport will undercut the price of Botox.

But will Botox – which has had a virtual monopoly on the wrinkle remover market – also lower its prices? Probably, but who knows for sure?

Dysport, formerly known as Reloxin, has been used in Europe for many years.

But, hey, what’s in it for the U.S. patient? Is a cheaper price enough to switch brands?

Actually, the many pre-approval clinical trials and tests in the U.S. show that one is just as effective as the other in removing wrinkles. Both produce effects in the face for about four months.

About the only competitive advantage so far – price notwithstanding – is that Dysport tends to starting working quicker than Botox.

So if you’re part of the instant-gratification-takes-too-long crowd, you’ll probably opt for Dysport which produces result in a day or so versus the three days for Botox.

According to a 2006 study comparing Botox and Dysport, the new kid on the block has more adverse effects. That probably means the plastic surgeons, dermatologists and others who use Dysport will have to have some training and perhaps use it a little differently and more carefully than Botox.

Download Botox v. Dysport report (The 2006 report is free.)

The other buzz at ASAPS: because surgeons have had no choice and because the cost of Botox has continually gone up, they can’t wait to jump ship and offer their patients something different.

The real winner? The consumer as prices for both become more reasonable.

admin @ May 4, 2009