Understanding the Difference between Botox and Fillers

Fillers and Botox are the two main and popular injectable cosmetic procedures, usually given at the doctor’s office. What makes both procedures similar is they are minimally invasive and offer the best results. They are important in your anti-aging routine, and the result of it is a youthful look. Both can be incorporated for long-lasting outcomes.

The difference between Botox and fillers is their functionality. Botox uses purified bacteria to freeze underneath the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines resulting from aging and facial expressions. Fillers have plumping ingredients that plump a skin area that has reduced its fullness due to aging.

Based on the American Society of Plastic Surgeons report, both cosmetic treatments are popular and account for over seven million cosmetic procedures conducted in 2019. However, people should know about the costs, risks involved, and realistic expectations before going for Botox or filler.

What is Botox?

Botox is a minimally invasive and injectable cosmetic procedure known as neurotoxin used to reduce lines and wrinkles. While Botox can be harmful when used in large amounts, it is useful when used in regulated amounts.

Botox is a form of botulinum toxin obtained from bacteria. When injected, it blocks muscle nerve signals. It prevents muscle movement that causes the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Botox can either eliminate or soften wrinkles on your forehead, around the eyes, and mouth.

As one of the injectable neurotoxins, Botox lasts up to six months when a professional dermatologist administers.

What Does Botox Correct?

Botox eliminates wrinkles caused by the movement of muscles. They are also known as expression lines or dynamic wrinkles. The most expressive lines that Botox treats are horizontal lines on your forehead, crow’s feet around your eyes, and upper face lines. Facial expressions like frowning, smiling cause these dynamic wrinkles and squinting.

Botox cannot remove wrinkles and fine lines caused by loss of facial plumpness. These wrinkles and fine lines are called static lines and occur around your jowls, cheeks, and neck. Botox is not a permanent cosmetic procedure, and one needs repeated treatments for maximum wrinkle-reducing effects.

Botox Side Effects

Botox is considered a safe cosmetic procedure. Since Botox is not long-lasting, most of its side effects are temporary. There are several side effects associated with Botox including,

• Itching and rashes
• Nausea
• Headache
• Redness, swelling, pain, or bleeding in the injected area
• Paralysis
• Flu-like symptoms
• Difficult speaking, breathing or swallowing
• Blurry vision

In most cases, Botox may not work due to antibodies that fight the toxin. This happens to one out of ten patients who have gone through cosmetic treatment. The cost of BOTOX in Princeton NJ is varied and also depends on your cosmetic surgeon.

What are Fillers?

Fillers are also known as soft tissues fillers. It is a cosmetic procedure to fill in lost volume in tissues. Fillers are commonly performed on the lips, cheeks, and mouth area. Adding volume to these areas smoothes fine lines and gives you a youthful appearance. Some of the effective substances used in soft tissue fillers are:

• Hyaluronic acid– found in body tissues and some fluids and add volume to the skin
• Calcium hydroxylapatite– a mineral compound that exists in bones.
• Polylactic acid– a substance that makes collagen by stimulating the skin
• Polyalkylimide– a body-compatible transparent gel

These substances are designed to treat different aging signs and other cosmetic concerns. Their longevity and working duration also vary. With some fillers lasting for over two years and others lasting for six months.

Discuss your needs and expectations with your doctor to determine the best fillers for you. Your doctor might recommend fillers to add volume to areas around your face, lessen wrinkles on your forehead, or smoothen scars. The most commonly used fillers in the doctor’s office are Restylane and Juvéderm. Both products use Hyaluronic Acid, a naturally occurring chemical, to give your skin a youthful fullness.

What Does Fillers Correct

Soft tissue fillers are designed differently to treat various aging signs. Depending on the type of filler you select, including:

• Soften static wrinkles on your lower face
• Adding volume to thin lips
• Reducing wrinkles or shadows under the eyes

Risks Involved in Fillers

Fillers are considered a safe cosmetic treatment but may contain some side effects. The most common risks include:

• Swelling, bruising, or redness
• Itching and skin rash
• Undesirable appearance like wrinkles overcorrection
• Dead skin cells as a result of minimal blood flow in the treated area
• Skin damages that may lead to infection, wound, or scarring.
• Blurred vision

The cost of fillers varies depending on the type of fillers you want, area of treatment, and your provider. Also, the cost can be higher or less depending on the amount of filler used. When your provider uses a half-full syringe of filler, the cost might be cheaper than when the syringe is full. There may also be additional fees depending on your provider’s services and office visits.

Key Differences between Botox and Fillers

Even though Botox and fillers are injectable procedures, they are different with different outcomes. They are both used for treating different skin areas and issues. In general:

• Botox freezes skin muscles to reduce wrinkles and creases caused by aging signs and facial expressions. The cosmetic treatment is done on the upper face parts, including the forehead and areas around the eyes.
• Fillers: the procedure uses Hyaluronic Acid to fill areas with lost smoothness and volume. It handles issues like thin lips, wrinkled mouth area, and cheeks with lost fullness. Fillers can also be used on scars, forehead wrinkles, and other areas with reduced volume to give it a smooth and plump look.
• Botox lasts for about six months, while fillers’ longevity depends on the type of filler used. It may last for over two years.

Botox and fillers are products designed for different purposes. However, both can at times be incorporated into one treatment. On most occasions, you may use Botox to treat lines around your eyes and fillers to correct your mouth smile lines.

Final Take

Multiple botox and filler can be done annually with a good safety record. The cosmetic procedures are safe and effective when conducted by an experienced and professional dermatologist. They carry minimal side effects, and it occurs in one out of five patients.