Dermal fillers are also known as ‘facial volume treatment’, ‘volume enhancing injections’ and ‘facial volumisers’. Botox is also known as ‘anti-wrinkle injections’, ‘wrinkle removal’, ‘wrinkle reduction’, and ‘wrinkle relaxers’.
What Are the Differences Between Dermal Fillers and Botox?
In the world of cosmetic s, dermal fillers and botox are two of the most popular treatments. While both rejuvenate your face, they serve different purposes and work in unique ways. Understanding the differences between dermal fillers and botox will help you make an informed decision about which treatment you need.
Understanding Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are injectable gels made from substances like hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite. These substances exist naturally in the body. When used as a dermal filler, they reduce hollowness, smooth wrinkles, and contour facial features.
How Do Dermal Fillers Work? Dermal fillers work by volumising your skin and soft tissue. As we age, our skin loses collagen, fat, and elasticity, leading to sagging, wrinkles, and a loss of facial structure. Restoring volume with dermal fillers treats signs of ageing related to volume loss. Common areas treated with dermal fillers are the cheeks, under eyes, nasolabial folds, and lips. Dermal fillers give an immediate result and typically last 1-2 years.
Key Benefits of Dermal Fillers:
Instant Results: Dermal fillers give an instant result, meaning you can enjoy your new look straight after your treatment.
Reversible Results: Hyaluronic acid fillers are dissolvable, meaning you can get your result reversed at any time.
Versatile: They can treat most signs of ageing, including wrinkles, volume loss, and sagging.
Understanding Botox
Botox is a purified form of botulinum toxin type A, a neurotoxin that temporarily relaxes muscles. Unlike dermal fillers, botox does not add volume. It’s primary mechanism is to reduce skin bunching, which softens wrinkles.
How Does Botox Work? When injected into specific muscles, botox blocks the nerve signals that normally cause these muscles to contract. By relaxing the muscles, botox reduces the appearance of wrinkles in areas of facial expression. The most common areas treated with botox include the forehead, the area between the eyebrows (known as the glabella), and crow’s feet around the eyes. The effects of botox take 2 weeks to fully work, and typically last three to five months, depending on the amount injected.
Key Benefits of Botox:
Fast Treatment: Botox injections only take a few minutes to perform.
No Downtime: There’s no downtime after botox, meaning you can get back to your day immediately.
Wrinkle Prevention: Botox is highly effective at preventing new wrinkles from forming. This makes it a popular choice for people looking to maintain smooth skin.
Treatment of Dynamic Wrinkles: Botox is best suited for treating wrinkles seen during expression, such as frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet.
Quick Results: The results of Botox are visible within a few days, making it a quick and effective solution for wrinkle reduction.
Dermal Fillers vs. Botox: Which is Right for You?
The choice between dermal fillers and botox depends on your specific concerns. Dermal fillers are more suitable where your concern is structural or volume related. Botox is the better option for expression lines, and to treat concerns caused by overactive facial muscles.
Combination Treatments: Many patients benefit from a combination of dermal fillers and botox. Many concerns have multiple causes, and using a combination approach allows each factor to be properly treated. This approach typically achieves more natural results than relying on one treatment type alone.
Conclusion
Both dermal fillers and botox offer unique benefits and features and can be tailored to your specific concerns. By understanding the differences between botox and dermal filler, you can make an informed decision about your treatment.
