It is not unusual for BOTOX® and dermal fillers to be confused. They both have the same purpose: to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles to create a smoother, more youthful appearance. However, they work in very different ways.
How They Work
BOTOX works by blocking signals from your nerves to your muscles, preventing them from contracting. This causes the wrinkles to relax and soften. BOTOX is most useful in treating forehead lines, crow’s feet and frown lines.
Dermal fillers and fat injections rejuvenate skin by restoring volume to facial lines and wrinkles. Fillers help reduce the appearance of aging by plumping thin lips, enhancing natural contours, softening facial creases and reducing the appearance of scars.
How the Procedures Differ
Administering BOTOX injections takes just a few minutes and doesn’t require anesthesia. A numbing medication or cream can be applied to the skin beforehand if you’re worried about discomfort. Your doctor will use a thin needle to inject a small dose of BOTOX into your skin or specific muscles. Results usually take a few days to appear and will last anywhere from three to 12 months. Maintenance injections are needed if you wish to continue treatment beyond the initial dose.
With fillers, each injection only takes a few seconds. The doctor will inject the filler, massage the area and evaluate the immediate result. More filler may be injected at each site as needed. The whole procedure may take 15 minutes to an hour, depending on how many injections you and your doctor decide on.
Are They Right for Me?
Both BOTOX and fillers are ideal for those who are generally physically healthy, do not smoke and have realistic goals for the procedure. It is also important to remember that BOTOX and fillers are not substitutes for facelift surgery, as they cannot achieve the same results and do not last as long.
Interested in BOTOX or fillers? Schedule a consultation today!
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