woman during filler procedure

If you’re thinking about having an aesthetic procedure, you need to know which treatment will best suit your needs. Numerous over-the-counter products offer long-lasting options, but injectables have gained massive popularity in the past few decades. If you’re thinking of having injectable facial treatments, there are many options, and it may leave you wondering, “Which facial treatment is right for me?”

Injectables such as Botox® and dermal fillers can be essential parts of your anti-aging skin treatments and give you a more youthful look. They are both minimally invasive and can provide long-lasting results to fade away wrinkles and additional signs of aging. However, these two products differ in terms of uses, efficacy, side effects, and of course, cost. While they both deliver great results, they each bring something different to the aesthetic table.

Botox® contains purified bacteria that freeze the muscles. In doing so, Botox® can help minimize the appearance of lines and wrinkles caused by your facial expressions. Dermal fillers contain ingredients that add fullness to areas that have thinned due to aging and plump the skin to tackle wrinkles and lines that have already appeared on your face. Knowing their differences can influence your decision, so if you’re unsure about which facial treatment to utilize, here is a deeper look into both of them.

BOTOX®: WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT WORKS

Botulinum toxin Type A, Botox®, is made up of a purified protein that is obtained from bacteria. This neurotoxin functions as a muscle relaxer to soften, reduce, or fully remove wrinkles. Though it is deadly in large amounts, the smaller, regulated doses of Botox® can have a powerful effect on wrinkles and has been used safely in anti-aging facial treatments for decades.

Botox® works by blocking nerve signals in the muscles where it is injected, and the affected muscle is temporarily paralyzed or frozen when those nerve signals are interrupted. Without the movement of these selected muscles in the face, dynamic wrinkles are virtually eliminated to give the face a refreshed appearance. The injection process itself takes just a few minutes and has often been named the “lunchtime procedure.” You will be able to see noticeable results within two weeks.

As a cosmetic injectable, it works best around the areas of repetitive facial expressions that show up in our 20s and 30s—frown lines, between the eyebrows, and on crow’s feet. Botox® can also be used for forehead lines, under-eye wrinkles, bunny lines on the nose, and lines around the lips. The best part of Botox® for facial wrinkle treatment is that you will only need treatment three to four times throughout the year—and a single treatment will generally last for about three months.

While most popular for vanishing wrinkles and expression lines, Botox® can also be used for other medical conditions, including:

After the treatment, some people may feel a mild headache the evening of the treatment, especially if they have had a lot of injections and could see bruising or swelling around the area. Also, avoid rubbing or massaging the injection area after having Botox® treatment. This could spread the toxin to the surrounding skin, causing muscle drooping and other problems. However, these side effects will subside over time.

DERMAL FILLERS: WHAT THEY ARE AND HOW THEY WORK

Also considered a lunchtime procedure, dermal fillers are sometimes referred to as soft tissue fillers. They are substances designed to be injected beneath the skin’s surface to add volume and fullness. Compared to Botox®, dermal fillers are just as effective, last longer, and can be used for fine lines caused by collagen breakdown. As we age, the natural collagen and elastin in the skin decrease and the cells lose their ability to naturally produce more of these substances. This can result in severe resting lines and volume loss.

Dermal fillers are completely different from Botox® because they are not injected into your muscles but rather into the areas where you lost volume. Hyaluronic acid-based cosmetic dermal fillers are among the safest, and the results are immediate. Hyaluronic acid is structurally similar to collagen and has the same appearance when injected into various areas and depths of the face.

Fillers such as Restylane and Perlane are commonly used in the cheeks, lips, and around the mouth. While they’re widely used in the lower face, you can use them across the whole face depending on the result you would like to achieve. Sometimes, they’re used for hand treatments or to reduce the appearance of scars, and can also be used for:

Dermal fillers are considered safe, but there are more things to consider besides Botox®. The type of muscle-created wrinkles that Botox® treats can’t be treated by dermal fillers and vice versa. This is because of where the filler is being injected. There are blood vessels and nerves in the areas being treated, and it is crucial to know where these are and how best to avoid them. It is also essential to be in the best hands with this treatment and with someone who knows their anatomy to carefully manage any complications that might arise.

COST

Both Botox® and dermal fillers are now widely available and involve relatively simple procedures performed at the healthcare provider’s office, but you’ll likely need a consultation first. The cost varies depending on which and how many areas you want treated, and the price also varies a lot based on your doctor’s office location. Botox® is usually less expensive than dermal fillers as the price also depends on the type of filler. The more filler used, the higher the cost, and advanced treatments may cost more. However, you should factor in that you will need Botox® injections more frequently than fillers.

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER

Both Botox® and dermal fillers have their own specific uses, and they also work very well together. For instance, someone may use Botox® to correct lines between the eyes and a filler to correct smile lines around the mouth. The biggest difference between the two is that Botox® helps with wrinkles on your skin’s surface and dermal fillers help with volume loss. When it comes to getting rid of signs of aging, Botox® and dermal fillers are the best anti-aging treatments on the market.

Botox® and dermal fillers are not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. People who have certain health conditions or take any medications should discuss whether these facial treatments are safe for them as their bodies could reject the toxins. People should also discuss what Botox® and fillers can realistically do for their appearance and set realistic expectations. Though they can enhance a more youthful look, the results are typically not as powerful as having an actual surgical procedure.

For more information about each procedure or to find out the right option for your needs, visit our website today. You can also request a complimentary consultation with Dr. Assassa to discuss your options further.

We look forward to meeting you!

Posted on behalf of Beverly Hills Aesthetics

640 South San Vicente Blvd Suite# 410
Los Angeles, CA 90048

Phone: 424-284-7570