Non-invasive cosmetic procedures have been mainstream for a long time and continue to gain in popularity, especially with new treatments, equipment, and inventions, there are more options than ever to combat aging. Some of the most popular treatments include Botox® and other muscle relaxers and fillers. Botox and fillers are two types of injectables, which are both injected with a needle. The biggest difference between Botox® and fillers is that Botox® is used to reduce fine lines and wrinkles by paralyzing the underlying muscles, fillers on the other hand will fill in wrinkles.
How Botox and dermal fillers work
Both Botox and dermal fillers reduce the appearance of wrinkles, but the two products work very differently. Botox is a highly purified toxin that slows down your face’s natural muscle contractions. These contractions over time lead to wrinkles such as horizontal forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, and frown lines. Dermal fillers inject material such as hyaluronic acid, a sugar that is naturally found in the body, calcium hydroxylapatite, a mineral and a major component of bone or Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a biodegradable, synthetic material into the body to add subtle volume to the face and lift and smooth out wrinkles.
The difference between Botox and fillers
Botox is the most common cosmetic procedure in the United States, and it is very safe. The treatment involves injections in the skin into the muscles that cause wrinkles. Some side effects are slight bruising and in rare cases droopy eyelids or eyebrows that typically resolve within two weeks. Botox treatments typically last between 3 and a half to 4 months. There are other brands in the market similar to Botox, such as Dysport and Xeomin.
Dermal fillers typically take about 30 to 45 minutes to complete, and you can experience some slight bruising or swelling with the procedure. The results from dermal fillers last significantly longer than Botox, usually 10-12 months. Some fillers such as Sculptra or Juvederm Voluma may last 18-24 months.
Who is a good candidate?
Botox is primarily used for patients who have crow’s feet, horizontal forehead lines, and frown lines. Dermal fillers are ideal for patients who have deeper wrinkles, or patients who have lost volume in the face and live very active lifestyles and prefer to avoid surgery.
Reasons to avoid Botox and fillers
Even though they are safe products that produce incredible results, Botox and dermal fillers are not for everyone. Patients should avoid Botox if they have certain medical conditions, such as those requiring blood thinners, or if they are pregnant or breastfeeding. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should also avoid dermal fillers.
Results from Botox and fillers
When choosing between Botox and dermal fillers, patients are especially interested in the results the two products provide. Botox alleviates wrinkles that are caused by facial expressions, while dermal fillers reduce the appearance of other bothersome wrinkles on the face. When getting either Botox and dermal fillers, Dr. Comizio will review the face and offer recommendations on the areas to treat. Often the two treatements are used in conjunction with each other to achieve optimal results.
Additional information
If you still have questions on which treatment is the right one, it is best to schedule an appointment for a full consultation and recommendations. Call Dr. Comizio’s office: (973) 775-9248.
