The popularity of injectables has been rising over the last ten years. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery, Botox and Soft Tissue Fillers were the top two cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures in 2020 in the US and they are set to continue growing in popularity.
Botox may be the number one treatment but dermal fillers are quickly catching up. If you’re trying to choose between the two, it’s important to know which is the best option for your skin. Knowing the differences and benefits between the two is the best way to determine which treatment is right for you.
Botox and Dermal Fillers are both cosmetic procedures that can be used to treat wrinkles and combat signs of aging. They are both minimally invasive treatments that provide long lasting result but this is where the similarities between them end. They differ in terms of uses, efficacy and costs.
Let’s have a look at the differences in this guide.
Click the links below to jump to the right section:
- What is Botox?
- What can Botox be used for?
- How long does it take to see results from Botox?
- What are Dermal Fillers?
- What can Dermal Fillers be used for?
- How long does it take to see results from Dermal Fillers?
- Should you choose Botox or Dermal Fillers?
What is Botox?
Botox is a purified form of the botulinum toxin that is found in bacteria. It can be deadly in larger amounts but the tiny, regulated amount of Botox injected to correct fine lines and wrinkles has been used safely for a number of years.
Botox is a neurotoxin which blocks the nerve signals in the muscles in which it is injected. When the nerve signals are interrupted, the affected muscle is temporarily paralyzed or frozen. If these muscles are limited in movement, certain wrinkles will be soften, reduced or removed.
The treatment works by relaxing the underlying muscles that create lines or wrinkles on your skin when you smile, frown or make other facial expressions. When administered by aesthetic injectors, Botox leaves your skin looking naturally youthful and can even prevent deeper lines from forming as you age.
You can read more about what Botox is and how it works in our guide.
What can Botox be used for?
Botox will only work effectively on the wrinkles on your face that are caused by muscle movement (dynamic wrinkles or expression lines). Common areas for Botox treatments include forehead frown lines, crow’s feet and the ‘11’ lines between your eyebrows. All of these lines are caused by smiling, frowning, squinting and other facial expressions.
The treatment will not work on the fine lines and wrinkles caused by sagging or a lack of plumpness in your face.
How long does it take to see results from Botox?
You may start to see the results of Botox after one to three days but you are most likely to see the full effects seven to ten days after injection.
Botox is not a permanent treatment so you will need to continue returning to your aesthetic injector to maintain the results you want to see. Most people find that Botox lasts between three to four months.
What are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal Fillers, also known as soft tissue fillers, are designed to be injected beneath the surface of your skin to add volume and fullness.
The substances used in dermal fillers include:
- Calcium hydroxylapatite – a mineral-like compound found in bones
- Hyaluronic acid – found in some fluids and tissues in the body and adds plumpness to your skin
- Polyalkylimide – a transparent gel that is compatible with your body
- Polylactic acid – a substance that can stimulate the skin to make more collagen
- Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres (PMMA) – a semi permanent filler
Each of these different elements is designed to treat different signs of aging or other cosmetic purposes. The time it takes them to work as well as how long they last can vary. Some fillers last for six months and others can last up to two years or longer.
Dermal Fillers can be used in different places of your face to achieve different results. For example, they can be used to smooth creases at your lip line, bring fullness back to your cheeks and reduce laugh lines around your nose and mouth,
What can Dermal Fillers be used for?
Dermal Fillers are used for the wrinkles and lines that Botox is unable to treat. These include static wrinkles around the mouth and on your cheeks. These are usually as a result of a loss of collagen and elasticity in the skin.
Different types of Dermal Fillers are designed to treat different signs of aging. Depending on the filler used, they can:
- Plump up thinning lips
- Enhance or fill in shallow areas on your face
- Decrease or remove the shadow or wrinkles under the eyes caused by lower eyelids
- Fill in or soften the look of recessed scars
- Fill in or soften static wrinkles, especially on your lower face
How long does it take to see results from Dermal Fillers?
When you have Dermal Fillers, you will start to see the results almost immediately as collagen and elastin are encouraged to grow. It will take six to eight weeks to see the full effect.
Dermal Fillers are just as effective as Botox but the results tend to last longer. There are different types of fillers so how long the results last can vary. Some can last as long as Botox but other types can last for more than a year.
Just like Botox, you will need additional treatments to maintain the results of Dermal Fillers.
Should you choose Botox or Dermal Fillers?
Whether you decide to have Botox or Dermal Fillers all depends on the results you want to achieve. Botox will soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles only our face. On the other hand, Dermal Fillers will plump up your lips and restore volume to hollowed cheeks and temples.
To book a consultation at our Denver or Greenwood Village clinics, please contact us today.
