With many options in injectable treatments today, it can be difficult to know which treatment will meet your specific needs best. Is Botox the answer, or would a dermal filler offer better results? For those contemplating an injectable treatment to produce a younger, refreshed appearance, check out these differences between Botox and dermal fillers to find the best procedure for you.
About Botox
Botox is a solution containing tiny amounts of botulinum toxin. The formula works by relaxing facial muscles that lead to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Botox tends to work best on dynamic wrinkles – wrinkles that form when the facial muscles contract. The result is a smoother look to the skin without compromising the muscles’ ability to make facial expressions. Botox injections typically last around four months before a touch-up treatment is required.
About Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are solutions that are injected underneath the skin’s surface to support the underlying skin structure. As the solution fills in that structure, skin is smoothed and plumped from the inside out. This treatment works best on static wrinkles – the lines that are visible on the face all the time. Dermal fillers can also be used to enhance facial contours, such as plumping lips, filling in cheek hollows or rounding out the jawline. Depending on the formula of the dermal fillers, some of these treatments can last 12 months or more before a touch-up is needed.
Finding the Right Fit
There are distinct difference between Botox and dermal fillers that often make one the clear choice for a specific aesthetic concern. For example, Botox tends to work better on the following wrinkles:
- Vertical lines between the eyebrows
- Horizontal lines across the forehead
- Fine lines in the outer corners of the eyes
Dermal fillers are often recommended for the following concerns:
- Facial folds around the bottom of the nose, mouth and chin
- Adding volume to thin lips or hollow cheeks
- Reducing the appearance of shallow scarring like varicella and acne scars
In some cases, a combination of Botox and a dermal filler may provide you with the best results. Some patients also find that different formulas of dermal fillers may be needed, with one formula to smooth out nasolabial folds and another to fill out cheeks for a more youthful facial profile.