Botox vs. Dermal Fillers: Uses, Effects, and Differences

Botox and dermal filler injections are immensely popular cosmetics treatments to help people maintain a youthful appearance. While both address the effects of aging, they have different uses, making each of these cosmetic procedures more appropriate for certain issues. Both are safe aesthetic procedures that experienced professionals like those at VIVAA can safely administer. However, each has different uses and benefits.

To understand which cosmetic treatments are best for you, learning about each can help you make an informed decision about which procedure you wish to undergo. Each is a long-lasting treatment that patients can undergo without resorting to a surgical procedure and can be used to treat wrinkles. However, each has specific uses that make one more appropriate than the other to address the aging process. VIVAA uses both to treat facial wrinkles.

What is Botox?

Botox is a purified form of the botulinum toxin obtained from bacteria. Although deadly in larger amounts, the tiny, regulated amount in Botox injections is safe. Botox injections relax facial muscles by blocking nerve signals, temporarily freezing, or paralyzing the muscles. When those nerve signals are interrupted, the affected muscle is temporarily paralyzed or frozen. When these muscles don't move, certain wrinkles may soften and appear reduced.

Treatments made with botulinum neuromodulators are sold under the brand names Botox Cosmetic, Dysport, Jeuveau  and Xeomin.

What Can Botox Correct?

Botox is used primarily to treat common dynamic wrinkles caused by facial expressions. These lines occur naturally around the eyes and mouth, forehead wrinkles, and the glabellar lines between the eyebrows that become more pronounced with age. Botox treatments relax the muscles near these wrinkles by not allowing these facial muscles to move. It acts as a muscle relaxer that prevents muscles from moving to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles.

In addition to treating fine lines and achieving wrinkle reduction, Botox can also treat platysmal bands. These muscles begin at the base of the neck and extend upward to the jawline. Aging causes a loss of fatty tissue, causing the bands to protrude and make you look older.

Is Botox Effective?

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAOS) indicates that Botox injections produce results for most patients. You’ll likely see noticeable effects within a week of treatment. Botox injections are popular among younger people who want to prevent wrinkles from forming in the first place.

After receiving Botox injections, you can continue your daily activities without any recovery time. Botox treatments last about three to four months. You'll need additional sessions if you want to maintain the results. Treatments fail in about one percent of patients with antibodies to the toxin.

Botox Side Effects and Considerations

Only those in good health should receive Botox to reduce possible side effects. These can include:

• Injection site bruises, pain and swelling
• Drooping eyelids or brows, if injected near eyes
• Eye redness and irritation
• Headaches
• Hives, rashes, or itching pain
• Dry mouth
• Flu-like symptoms
• Nausea
• Gallbladder problems

Although the following are rare, contact a doctor immediately if you have any of the following side effects:

• Muscle weakness
• Trouble swallowing
• Difficulty speaking or breathing
• Poor bladder control
• Vision changes

If you take eye drops before your treatment, you may reduce the chances of some side effects. For those on blood thinners, you should stop taking them a few days before your procedure to prevent bruising.

You shouldn't receive Botox if you are pregnant or nursing, have weak facial muscles, specific skin issues, multiple sclerosis, or other types of neurological disorders.

How Do Dermal Fillers Work?

Sometimes called soft tissue fillers, dermal fillers are injected beneath the skin's surface to add volume and fullness. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the following substances for use in a filler injection. Each can treat varying signs of aging specifically:

• Radiesse (calcium hydroxyapatite), a gel that lasts for 18 months
• Hyaluronic acid fillers, found in some body fluids, with a life of six to 12 months, add plumpness
• Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid), lasting about two years
• Collagen, lasting about four months
• Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres (PMMA), a semi-permanent filler

Discuss your personal needs with your board-certified dermatologist to determine which dermal fillers will address your issues.

What Can Dermal Fillers Correct?

You can choose dermal fillers to achieve the following results:

• Plump thinning lips
• Decrease or remove shadows or treat wrinkles under the eyes
• Enhance or fill in shallow areas on the face
• Soften the look of deep scars
• Fill in static wrinkles on the lower face due to a loss of collagen and elasticity

How Effective are Dermal Fillers?

Many patients immediately see dermal filler results. Injections usually take under an hour, and recovery is minimal. How long they last depends on the type of filler you receive. However, with most, you'll need repeated treatments to maintain results.

Many people see the results of dermal fillers right away. The injections usually take less than an hour, and you can get them right in your healthcare provider’s office. Because it’s a nonsurgical treatment, recovery time is minimal.

Dermal Filler Risks and Considerations

Dermal fillers have more risks and side effects than Botox, although severe side effects are rare. Severe side effects are rare. Most side effects disappear within two weeks. A licensed medical professional should provide all dermal filler treatments using only FDA-approved fillers.

The most common side effects of dermal filler procedures can include:

• Skin rash, itching, or pimple-like eruptions
• Redness, bruising, bleeding, itching, or swelling
• Allergic reactions
• Asymmetry, lumps, or overcorrection of wrinkles
• Sores and skin damage that causes a wound, infection, or scarring
• Feeling the filler under the skin
• Blindness or other vision problems

Use ice to alleviate temporary numbness and swelling. If possible, have an allergy test before getting a particular dermal filler to reduce these side effects.

Those who smoke should not get dermal fillers. You will receive the best results and have fewer side effects if you are in good health.

Why People Opt for Botox and Dermal Fillers

People love Botox and dermal fillers because they are minimally invasive cosmetic treatments that can give you a more youthful look and don't require extensive medical procedures like facelifts to help them look younger.

People should also discuss what Botox and fillers can realistically do for their appearance. Though they can enhance a more youthful look, the results are typically not as powerful as having a surgical procedure, such as a facelift.

Using a qualified medical provider, such as a board-certified plastic surgeon, dermatologist, or cosmetic surgeon, helps ensure the procedure is done safely and correctly. Discuss the advantages of Botox vs fillers for your particular issues.

Because Botox and fillers are different substances designed for different  uses, we can sometimes combine them in a single treatment.

Book Your Consultation Today 

If you are interested in Botox and filler injections to achieve a more youthful look and possibly avoid future wrinkles, the aesthetic professionals will gladly help. For more information or to make an appointment, call us today at 425-250-9999. For your convenience, you can use our online Request an Appointment form.