Cosmetic treatments like Botox and dermal fillers are now trending as more people are opting for non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures. These inexpensive treatments are a simple way to roll back the clock and revitalize your appearance. But are Botox and dermal fillers the same?
Are Botox and Dermal Fillers the Same Thing?
Botox and dermal fillers are both cosmetic injectables, but they are not the same thing. Botox and dermal fillers both treat wrinkles, but they contain different ingredients and work differently.
Botox Cosmetic
Botox is a neurotoxin that contains dilute amounts of botulinum toxin type A. It works primarily on dynamic wrinkles that develop due to the repeated contraction of the facial muscles.
What Can Botox Treat?
Botox is the best choice for wrinkles that appear because of muscle activity. This includes crow’s feet, horizontal forehead creases, and frown lines. Botox reduces these wrinkles by relaxing the underlying facial muscles responsible for creating them.
How Does Botox Work?
When Botox is injected into the muscles, it temporarily blocks the transmission of signals from the nerves, causing the muscles to relax. As the muscles relax, the overlying wrinkles become smoother. Results are noticeable within two weeks of treatment.
How Long Do The Results of Botox Last?
The results of Botox typically last 3-4 months. When new nerve endings begin to develop, the muscle activity will resume, and wrinkles will reappear.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers, also known as soft tissue fillers, are injectables that reduce wrinkles and rejuvenate the face by adding volume to the skin.
What Can Dermal Fillers Treat?
Dermal fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane, and Radiesse are suitable for static wrinkles. These are wrinkles that form because of the loss of facial fat or the decline in skin elasticity over time. They are not affected by muscle movement. Nasolabial folds and marionette lines are static wrinkles. These lines are often deep and difficult to treat.
Dermal fillers also refine facial contours as they add volume to areas like the cheeks and temples and plump the lips.
How Do Dermal Fillers Work?
Dermal fillers that contain hyaluronic acid (HA) replenish volume in the skin by attracting and binding water. This creates a plumping effect that helps fill in lines and wrinkles, giving the face a smoother, more youthful appearance.
Other fillers like Radiesse and Bellafill are collagen stimulators. They work by encouraging the body to produce more collagen.
Collagen is an essential protein that gives skin that plump, youthful look. The body produces collagen naturally, but production declines with age, resulting in wrinkles and sagging skin.
The boost in collagen achieved with dermal fillers replaces volume in the face and makes the skin firm and youthful once again.
HA fillers produce instant results, but the results of collagen stimulators appear over time as new collagen forms.
How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?
Like Botox, dermal fillers are a temporary facial rejuvenation solution, but the effects can last anywhere from 6-24 months. The longevity depends on the product used and the area of the face it is injected.
Combining Botox With Dermal Fillers
Since Botox and dermal fillers target different areas of the face they are often combined for facial rejuvenation. This procedure is known as a liquid facelift.
A liquid facelift is a non-surgical procedure that minimizes signs of aging and revitalizes the face. The procedure is customized to fit the unique aesthetic goals of each patient.
Are you interested in non-surgical facial rejuvenation? Botox and dermal fillers are a great choice because they can fix a range of facial cosmetic issues and transform your appearance.