Dysport typically lasts 3 to 4 months when used around the eyes, though some people enjoy results for 5 to 6 months. You can expect to see initial changes within a few days of treatment, with full effects settling in by the second week.
When Results Appear and How Long They Hold
Dysport is known for a relatively quick onset compared to other neurotoxins. Most people notice subtle smoothing around the eyes within a few days of their injection. By week two, the full effect is visible: crow’s feet soften at rest and become less pronounced when you smile or squint.
From that point, the results hold steady for roughly 3 to 4 months before the treated muscles gradually regain movement. Clinical data shows that a majority of patients return for retreatment between 12 and 16 weeks, though some maintain their results for up to 20 weeks. The minimum recommended interval between treatments is 12 weeks, regardless of how quickly your results seem to fade.
Why Duration Varies From Person to Person
A 3-to-6-month range is wide, and where you fall within it depends on several biological and lifestyle factors.
Metabolism: People with faster metabolic rates break down the toxin more quickly. Your body is constantly processing and eliminating the protein that keeps those muscles relaxed, so a faster engine means a shorter ride. This is partly genetic and partly influenced by age, thyroid function, and body composition.
Physical activity level: Intense or frequent exercise increases circulation, which accelerates how fast the toxin clears from the injection site. If you work out heavily most days, you may find yourself on the shorter end of the duration spectrum.
Muscle strength and use: The muscles around your eyes are small but active. People who are particularly expressive, squinting frequently or smiling broadly throughout the day, put more demand on those muscles. Over time, this repeated engagement can push against the neurotoxin’s relaxing effect and shorten how long results feel noticeable.
Treatment history: First-time patients sometimes find their results don’t last quite as long as they expected. With consistent treatments over time, the targeted muscles can weaken slightly from sustained disuse, which means later sessions often hold longer than early ones.
What a Typical Treatment Schedule Looks Like
Most people settle into a routine of treatments every 3 to 6 months. Your provider will help you find the right cadence based on how your body responds to the first session or two. The goal is to schedule your next appointment as the previous treatment is fading but before the muscles fully return to their baseline activity. This keeps results looking consistent rather than cycling between “fresh” and “worn off.”
If you wait too long between sessions, the muscles fully recover their strength and movement patterns, which means you’re essentially starting from scratch each time. Staying on a regular schedule can actually extend your results over the long term, since the muscles spend less time at full contraction.
Dosing for the Eye Area
The area between your brows (the glabellar region) is commonly treated alongside crow’s feet when people refer to Dysport “around the eyes.” A standard glabellar treatment uses 50 units, split across five small injection points in the muscles that pull your brows together when you frown. Crow’s feet typically require additional units on each side.
Dosing is not one-size-fits-all. Your provider adjusts the amount based on your muscle strength, the depth of your lines, and the look you’re going for. Higher doses within safe limits can sometimes extend duration, but the primary factor in longevity is your individual biology, not simply injecting more product.
Side Effects Specific to the Eye Area
The most talked-about risk with injections near the eyes is eyelid drooping, known clinically as ptosis. About 5% of neurotoxin patients experience some degree of droop, but that number drops below 1% when an experienced injector performs the treatment. Proper technique and precise placement make a significant difference.
If drooping does occur, it typically shows up within a few days to a week after injection. Signs include a heavy feeling in one eyelid that worsens as the day goes on, difficulty fully opening the eye, or trouble with tasks like applying makeup. The good news: this resolves on its own, usually within 3 to 4 weeks, as the misplaced toxin naturally wears off. Your provider can also prescribe eye drops that temporarily counteract the droop while you wait.
Other common but mild side effects around the eyes include slight bruising at injection sites, minor swelling, and occasional headache in the first day or two. These typically resolve within a week without any intervention.