Relfydess vs Dysport vs Botox: What’s the Difference?
Three different names. Three different products. And if you’re new to anti-wrinkle treatments, probably more confusing than it needs to be.
So here’s the simple answer:
All three temporarily relax the muscles that create expression lines.
The main differences are in their formulation, how quickly you may notice a result, how long the result can last and how your individual face responds to each one.
There isn’t one that is automatically “the best”.
There is, however, usually one that makes the most sense for you.
The quick answer
Botox® | Dysport® | Relfydess® | |
What is it? | Botulinum toxin type A | Botulinum toxin type A | Botulinum toxin type A |
Format | Powder mixed before treatment | Powder mixed before treatment | Ready-to-use liquid |
How quickly? | Results develop over the days following treatment | Results develop over the days following treatment | Some clinical-trial participants reported an effect from Day 1 |
How long? | Commonly around 3–4 months | Commonly around 3–4+ months | Clinical studies have shown effects can be maintained for 6 months in some patients |
Best for | Depends on you | Depends on you | Depends on you |
Relfydess is the major newcomer. It is a ready-to-use liquid formulation, and clinical studies reported onset from Day 1 in up to 39% of participants and maintained improvement at six months in up to 75%. That does not mean everyone will get six months of results. Individual response varies.
First, how do anti-wrinkle injections actually work?
Lines like frown lines, forehead lines and crow’s feet are partly caused by the same facial muscles moving over and over again.
Anti-wrinkle injections temporarily reduce the activity of selected muscles.
Less movement means the skin above the muscle can appear smoother.
The goal at Ellis & Jones isn’t to remove every bit of movement from your face.
It’s to soften the movement that creates the lines while keeping you looking like you.
Botox, Dysport and Relfydess all contain forms of botulinum toxin type A and work on this same basic principle.
What is Botox®?
Botox is the name most people already know.
In fact, “Botox” has almost become shorthand for anti-wrinkle injections, even though Botox is actually a specific brand.
It has been used in aesthetic medicine for many years and has a large body of clinical evidence behind it.
For cosmetic treatment, Botox can be used to temporarily soften areas such as frown lines, forehead lines and crow’s feet.
Results build gradually after treatment rather than appearing instantly. NZ product information reports a rapid onset for frown lines, with results lasting at least four months for many participants in clinical studies.
Botox may suit you if:
You've used Botox before and like your results
You want a well-established treatment
Your injector believes it is the best fit for your facial movement and goals
Simple.
There’s nothing wrong with sticking with something that already works well for you.
What is Dysport®?
Dysport is another well-established botulinum toxin type A treatment.
It does the same basic job as Botox: temporarily reducing selected muscle movement to soften expression lines.
One thing that often confuses people is the number of units used.
Dysport and Botox units are not directly comparable.
So seeing a lower dollar amount “per unit” does not automatically make one treatment cheaper than the other. Different products use different dosing systems.
That’s why comparing Botox and Dysport purely by their unit price is a bit like comparing kilometres with miles without doing the conversion.
NZ clinical information for Dysport reports treatment effects remaining significant at four months in studies of glabellar or frown lines.
Dysport may suit you if:
You've had great results with it previously
Your injector recommends it for your treatment plan
You want a proven anti-wrinkle option with a long history of use
What is Relfydess®?
This is where things get a little more interesting.
Relfydess is a newer botulinum toxin type A treatment and became available with New Zealand product information through Medsafe in 2026.
The biggest difference is its formulation.
Relfydess comes ready to use.
Unlike Botox and Dysport, it doesn't need to be reconstituted with saline before treatment. The NZ data sheet confirms it is supplied as a ready-to-use solution.
But the reason most clients will be interested in it is not the bottle.
It's the potential speed and duration of the result.
In clinical studies:
Up to 39% of patients reported seeing an effect from Day 1
Up to 75% maintained improvement at six months
Again, those are clinical study results, not a promise that everyone will see results on Day 1 or get six months from every treatment.
Relfydess may suit you if:
You're interested in a newer anti-wrinkle option
You'd like the possibility of a quicker onset
Longer-lasting results are important to you
Your injector believes it suits your face and treatment goals
So, does Relfydess last longer than Botox and Dysport?
Potentially, yes.
This is probably the biggest reason Relfydess is getting attention.
Clinical data for Relfydess has demonstrated efficacy through six months, including a median time of more than 24 weeks before returning to baseline severity in pooled Phase III analyses.
But there's an important word there: Potentially.
We all metabolise anti-wrinkle treatments differently.
One person might get four months from a treatment. Someone else might get longer or shorter.
Your muscle strength, treatment area, dose, anatomy and individual response all matter.
So we wouldn't choose Relfydess simply because the number “six months” sounds better.
Is Relfydess better than Botox or Dysport?
Not automatically.
Newer doesn't always mean better for you.
If you've been using Botox or Dysport for years and love the result, there may be absolutely no reason to change.
If you find your current treatment wears off sooner than you'd like, or you're interested in the potential for a longer-lasting result, Relfydess may be worth discussing.
That's what your consultation is for.
Which one gives the most natural result?
This is probably more important than the brand on the vial.
Natural results come from the treatment plan.
Your injector needs to look at:
How your face moves
Where your muscles are strongest
Your facial anatomy
The result you want
Treatments you've had previously
How your body responded to them
A good anti-wrinkle treatment shouldn't make everyone look the same.
At Ellis & Jones, we're looking to soften lines and refresh your appearance while keeping natural facial movement.
The product is one part of that.
Who is injecting it matters just as much.
Can you switch between Botox, Dysport and Relfydess?
Yes, in appropriate circumstances.
Using one product previously doesn't necessarily mean you need to use it forever.
Your cosmetic nurse can discuss your previous treatments, how long they lasted, what you liked and what you didn't.
From there, you can decide whether it makes sense to stay with your current product or try another option.
Importantly, the units used by different botulinum toxin products are not interchangeable, so changing product requires appropriate clinical dosing rather than a simple unit-for-unit swap.
So which anti-wrinkle treatment should I choose?
If you've made it this far hoping we'd crown a winner, sorry.
There isn't one.
Botox is a great treatment.Dysport is a great treatment.Relfydess is an exciting newer option.
The better question is:
Which one is right for my face?
And that's much easier to answer when you're sitting in front of an experienced injector who can actually see how your face moves.
Botox, Dysport & Relfydess at Ellis & Jones
Ellis & Jones offers Botox, Dysport and Relfydess anti-wrinkle treatments, with a focus on subtle, natural-looking results.
Rather than starting with a product, we start with you.
Your facial anatomy, muscle movement, previous treatments and goals are assessed before recommending the right option.
Anti-wrinkle treatments are available through Ellis & Jones in Christchurch, Hamilton, Auckland and Timaru.
Want to know which option is right for you?
Book an anti-wrinkle consultation with Ellis & Jones.
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