It is not uncommon to find that many people are confused about the correct use of Botox and face fillers. We often hear comments such as, “That woman got too much Botox on her lips”. This unfortunately is incorrect, because Botox is a muscle relaxer and not a volumizer. Thus, the correct use of Botox is to prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles as we continue to age around the forehead, frown, crow’s feet, etc. In this article, you will find the main differences between these two anti-aging products and techniques.
What is Botox?
Botulinum Toxin (Botox) is a protein synthesized by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum, which works by blocking the chemical signals that the nerves send to muscles to contract. Its application in certain areas is used to relax the muscles, reducing wrinkles and softening facial lines.
“Botox” is a registered trademark and the most popular version of the botulinum toxin; people usually use the term “Botox” to describe all of the commercial preparations of the toxin; however other trademarks are “Dysport, Xeomin, Myobloc, and Jeuveau”. The difference between “Botox” and “Dysport” or the rest of the preparations consists essentially in the diluent or preservative substance. Here at Cosmetica Plastic Surgery we believe that the efficacy and longevity between Botox and Dysport are extremely similar.
Many people believe that Botox is used to fill contraction lines and wrinkles, however, this is not the case; Its application for cosmetic purposes, is mainly to diminish the appearance and prevent the formation of expression lines. Consequently, delivering the skin a more softened texture and youthful appearance.
Botox is most frequently applied in the horizontal creases in the forehead, the wrinkles between the eyebrows also called frown lines or glabellar lines, and the wrinkles around the eyes, known as crow’s feet, among others. Botox is also allowed by the food and drug administration (FDA) for medical purposes such as strabismus, excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), migraine, Bruxism (teeth grinding) bladder disorders, and other conditions associated with abnormal muscle contraction (dystonia, blepharospasm, etc.)
How long does Botox last?
The effects are seen between 1 to 2 weeks and it lasts an average of 3 to 4 months, depending on the dose (number of units) and site of application. Thus, younger patients have the ability to metabolize the product faster than older patients due to their metabolism. There is no downtime and the chances of inflammation and bruising are extremely slim.
Fillers
On the other hand, dermal fillers are substances that are injected into the skin, to fill scars, smooth furrows, and wrinkles, and add volume in certain areas, such as lips, nose, cheekbones, and chin. Some of the most popular fillers in the market in the United States are: Revanessa (Versa), Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse and Sculptra. The differences of the fillers and their classification goes according to their composition, which can be collagen-based, hyaluronic acid, poly-L-lactic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, or polyacrylamide gels, among others.
Dermal fillers can also be differentiated according to the duration, which varies from 6 months to 1 year depending on the filler. It is important to emphasize that the final duration of the filler, also depends on the age of the person on whom it is applied and the metabolism of the substance in the body. Some of the most popular face fillers are hyaluronic acid fillers, used to correct small wrinkles in the face, sculpt the nose and cheek, lip volumizers, etc. This is a brief description of dermal fillers.
Lip fillers are used to increase the volume of the lips and fill the perioral wrinkles. Its application is carried out in order to modify the shape of the lips and restore its volume when lost as a consequence of aging, sun damage or smoking. Lip fillers typically last around 8-12 months.
Cheek Fillers are face fillers applied in the area above and around the cheekbones, providing a more defined look of the area, and smoothing wrinkles and fine lines around it.
Nose fillers are dermal fillers used to sculpt, balance symmetry, and modify the nose’s shape. The procedure is also called liquid rhinoplasty, and is the preferred technique for people seeking slight nose corrections or a non-surgical nose shaping alternative, the results are immediately visible, and no recovery time is needed.
Patients should be aware that most filler procedures can cause swelling and bruising. The body’s natural response is inflammation and swelling which can last between 24 to 48 hours. It is also advised to stop the intake of all blood thinners such as: Omega-3, COQ10, Flaxseed oil, Vitamin E, Plavix, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, etc. The usage of these products does not generate any contraindication or side effects. However, the patient will have a greater chance to develop a bruise.
Both the application of Botox and dermal fillers can be carried out at the same time; it is important to remember that these minimally invasive procedures require the assessment and intervention of an experienced and qualified specialist in order to achieve better results and avoid complications.
For any further information, feel free to contact us and we will gladly answer your questions.
References:
https://www.merz.com/es/productos/
Instagram
Facebook
Whatsapp