How to choose the right cosmetic treatment? Fillers vs botox, know the difference.
When you hear about cosmetic treatments, two terms we often hear are Botox and dermal fillers. These are two of the most popular cosmetic treatments. They can provide fast and amazing results.
Botox and dermal fillers are recommended for the management of wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging.
Does that mean you can choose either of them to fade those lines of aging?
No! Botox and dermal fillers work in different ways and are meant to treat different types of skin imperfections. You need to consider how these treatments work and whether they will be suitable for reducing fine lines and wrinkles in your case.
So, how do you decide whether you should choose Botox or fillers?
Let’s look at the differences between Botox and dermal fillers, how they work, and how to choose the right one for your specific skin concerns.
What are Botox and dermal fillers? Fillers vs botox
They are non-invasive cosmetic treatments that are administered into the skin through injections. According to the ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons), Botox and dermal fillers account for more than 9 million cosmetic procedures per year. [1]
A research study published in JAMA Dermatology has also revealed that Botox and dermal fillers are safe when performed by an experienced dermatologist. [2]
These procedures are usually performed in a doctor’s office on an out-patient basis. These are non-surgical procedures and do not require any incisions or the administration of general anesthesia making them safer than invasive surgical options.
Both Botox and dermal fillers are highly recommended for fading wrinkles and restoring a youthful appearance to the skin. However, this is where the similarities between these 2 therapies end.
Let’s learn the difference between Botox and dermal fillers, how they work, and what they treat.
What is Botox?
Botox is a purified form of botulinum toxin obtained from bacteria. It is a neurotoxin that works by acting on the nerves that are involved in facial movements.
Botox injections cause freezing or paralysis of the facial muscles. While doing so, they minimize the appearance of wrinkles and lines caused due to repeated facial expressions. [3]
Botox can be used to correct dynamic wrinkles like crow’s feet around your eyes and horizontal lines on your forehead that form over time. The repeated contractions of facial muscles result in the formation of creases on the skin, which deepens over time leaving wrinkles and fine lines. [4]
Botox injections work by blocking the passage of nerve signals to the muscles, as a result, the muscles are temporarily paralyzed. The lack of movement of these muscles causes the wrinkles to soften thereby reducing the signs of aging.
What can Botox injections correct?
Botox injections are suitable for treating wrinkles formed by muscle movement. These are called “dynamic wrinkles” or “expression lines”.
The areas that Botox can correct include the lines on the upper face like the “11” between your eyebrows, horizontal lines on your forehead, and the crow’s feet at the corners of your eyes. These fine lines are caused by normal facial expressions.
Botox injections do not offer permanent results. In most cases, 3 to 4 sessions of Botox injections are needed to fade these signs.
The results usually last for about 6 to 8 months after which you may need to visit the doctor for maintenance sessions. Usually, one or two maintenance sessions are needed per year to maintain a youthful appearance.
According to a report published in the Mayo Clinic, “Botox injections use forms of botulinum toxin to paralyze muscle activity temporarily. These injections are used to treat other medical conditions, too, such as repetitive neck spasms, excessive sweating, overactive bladder, and lazy eye. The injections also may help prevent chronic migraines in some people.” [5]
However, Botox is not suitable for treating wrinkles caused due to sagging skin or the loss of volume in your face. These are called “static wrinkles” and are treated with dermal fillers.
What are dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers are injections administered just beneath the skin to plump up the facial tissues. [6]
Dermal fillers, also called soft tissue fillers, are designed to add volume or fullness to the face or lips. These treatments are suitable for treating static wrinkles that occur due to the reduced production of collagen and elastin in the skin and the loss of volume of the face resulting in the development of skin folds.
Fillers can also be used for the correction of contour deficiencies or acne scars.
Substances commonly used in dermal fillers include: [7]
- Hyaluronic acid
- Calcium hydroxylapatite
- Polylactic acid
- Polyalkylimide
- Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres
What can dermal fillers correct?
Dermal fillers can be used to restore a youthful appearance to your face by correcting skin imperfections in the following ways: [8]
- Filling in or softening static wrinkles on the lower face, especially the neck and jaw
- Plumping up the thinning lips
- Decreasing or removing wrinkles under the eyes caused by the sagging of the lower eyelids
- Enhancing or filling in the shallow parts of your face
- Filling in or softening the appearance of recessed scars
According to the skincare experts at the Mayo Clinic Health System, “Dermal fillers lift the skin, smooth out lines and wrinkles, restore volume loss and give you a fresher appearance. Common fillers including hyaluronic acid are particularly suited for fine lines and wrinkles around your mouth. For many people, a combination of Botox and fillers will produce the best results.” [9]
Conclusion
Botox and dermal fillers offer safe and effective ways to reduce wrinkles and fine lines and restore the youthful firmness of your skin. Depending on the types of wrinkles or skin imperfections, you can choose Botox, dermal fillers, or both to get good results.
Being aware of how each of these therapies works and what they treat will help you choose the right treatment to get younger-looking skin.
References:
- https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/new-statistics-reflect-the-changing-face-of-plastic-surgery
- https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-botox-for-wrinkles-is-it-safe/
- https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/is-botox-the-fix-for-all-facial-wrinkles
- https://ork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/1922026
- https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-botox-for-wrinkles-is-it-safe/
- https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/filling-wrinkles-safely
- https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/cosmetic-devices/dermal-fillers-soft-tissue-fillers
- https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/dermal-fillers
- https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/locations/eau-claire/services-and-treatments/plastic-and-reconstructive-surgery/skin-services/dermal-fillers
