Botox and dermal fillers have become the most sought-after cosmetic treatments in the United States. The latest cosmetic surgery statistics show around 15.5 million cosmetic procedures took place in the United States alone. Botox came in first with 4.4 million treatments, with dermal fillers coming in second with 3.4 million treatments.
With those statistics, chances are you have heard a lot about Botox and dermal fillers. But do you know what their differences are?
What is Botox?
Botox is the popular brand name for botulinum toxin, a protein found in bacteria. It is a sanitized form of protein that freezes muscles. It reduces wrinkles or lines that appear when you make facial expressions.
Botox stops muscles from tightening or contracting by blocking the nerve signals that make muscles contract. Without the contraction of these treated muscles, creases and wrinkles can soften, diminish, or clear up entirely.
What Does Botox Treat?
Botox is famous for its ability to reduce wrinkles:
On the forehead
Around the eyes
Between the eyebrows
Around the mouth
Freezing the muscles around these areas softens or removes wrinkles. But Botox cannot treat fine lines that result from collagen disintegration. Doctors have also used Botox to treat medical conditions such as migraines, neck spasms, lazy eyes, overactive bladder, and excessive sweating.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are injections that treat wrinkles and sagging skin on the face or hands. Your doctor injects gel-like ingredients under your skin to restore volume and make it look more youthful.
What Do Dermal Fillers Treat?
Dermal fillers can:
Soften wrinkles
Smoothen facial lines
Add volume to thin lips
Improve the look of hollow scars
Remove or reduce the shadows on the lower eyelids
Restructure facial contour deformities
Dermal fillers are excellent for reducing signs of aging or improving the results of facial reconstruction surgery.
What is Better, Botox or Dermal Fillers?
Botox and dermal fillers are both effective treatments and need touch-up treatments once the results begin to fade. That said, results from dermal fillers last longer than those from Botox. Filler results last nine months to two years, whereas Botox results usually last three to four months. Still, dermal filler results vary based on the type of filler you use.
Also, the choice depends on what you are treating. Botox is excellent for treating creases that appear when muscles contract. On the other hand, dermal fillers are ideal for deep wrinkles that are visible even when muscles relax.
Things to Consider
Before getting Botox or dermal fillers, talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of going ahead with the procedures. The consultation should also include a detailed health assessment. The person administering the treatments will need to know if you are on any medications that can interfere with the procedures.
Also, review your goals and ensure Botox or dermal fillers will produce the specific outcomes you are looking for.
For more on the difference between Botox and dermal fillers, visit Miami Aesthetic at our Miami, Florida office. Call 786-574-3770 to book an appointment today.
