Cosmetic injectables are game-changers for reaching your aesthetic goals. Both Botox and dermal fillers can achieve beautiful results, whether you want to maintain a more youthful appearance or you want to enhance a facial feature like the lips. While neuromodulators like Botox and dermal fillers can both be used for wrinkle treatment, they are very different in how they perform. Here are the differences between Botox and dermal fillers, and how they can be used to improve your appearance.
What Is a Neuromodulator?
Botox, Dysport, Xeomin and Jeuveau are all neuromodulators. These cosmetic products contain a neurotoxin as their main ingredient, a purified form of botulinum toxin A. Neuromodulators work by blocking the nerve signals to muscles to relax movement. For decades, neuromodulators were used to stop muscle spasms, but eventually, Botox and others were approved by the FDA to be used for cosmetic purposes.
Botox is used for several different cosmetic treatments. It is best known for reducing frown and worry lines on the brow – the “11s” between the eyebrows and the horizontal lines across the forehead. Neuromodulators can also smooth crow’s feet on the outside of the eyes and other dynamic facial lines. In addition, relaxing certain muscles can change the facial appearance. Botox treatments can be used for masseter reduction (face slimming), smoothing neck cords, non-surgical brow lifts, lip augmentation and reducing a gummy smile.
What Is a Dermal Filler?
Facial or dermal fillers are products that add volume under the skin. The goal is to “plump” the skin to change the appearance of the face or the skin. There are many different brands and types of dermal fillers that can be used for cosmetic treatment. The most common types of dermal fillers use hyaluronic acid, a substance that collects and retains moisture in the skin. Other options include poly-L-lactic acid or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) to add volume under the skin and increase collagen production. Some of the dermal fillers we use at Arcadia Wellness Center include the following.
Bellafill
The longest-lasting dermal filler currently available is Bellafill. This injectable uses polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microspheres to add volume under the skin and promote collagen production. Bellafill is used to smooth smile lines (nasolabial folds) and other wrinkles, as well as to smooth acne scars. The results can last up to five years or more.
Juvéderm™
The Juvéderm™ line of facial fillers uses hyaluronic acid to smooth lines or plump the lips. Juvéderm™ can be used to contour the face or change the shape of facial features. This product can last nine months before it needs to be replenished to maintain results.
Restylane
Another hyaluronic-based dermal filler, Restylane products are used for facial contouring, line filler, lip enhancement and other treatments. Restylane is also the first dermal filler to be FDA approved for hand rejuvenation.
Belotero
Belotero Balance injections also use hyaluronic acid, but it is formulated for use on superficial lines and wrinkles on the skin’s surface. The results can last up to a year, and the unique formula is designed to look very natural for smoothing fine lines.
Sculptra®
Sculptra Aesthetic uses poly-L-lactic acid for its dermal filler effects. Unlike other fillers that offer immediate plumping under the skin, the true effects of Sculptra take several weeks or longer to appear. Sculptra is used to increase natural collagen production in the skin, helping to firm and lift the skin as collagen increases. Results are evident in a few months and can last for up to five years.
Wrinkle Treatment: Botox or Dermal Fillers?
Both Botox and dermal fillers can be used for wrinkle treatment, but which one is best depends on the wrinkle. Botox works for dynamic lines that appear when the muscles move – it does not help with static wrinkles that are etched into the skin. Neuromodulators are best for frown and worry lines on the brow, bunny lines on the nose and crow’s feet around the eyes.
Dermal fillers are best used for static lines and wrinkles in the skin. Smile lines or nasolabial folds can be diminished with facial fillers deeper into the skin. Fine wrinkles like lip lines can be smoothed with facial fillers. When there are deeper furrows in the brow, dermal fillers may be needed to plump under the lines.
Botox injections can also be used for wrinkle prevention. Many younger patients are using neuromodulator treatments to stop the formation of dynamic lines by relaxing and training their facial muscles. This can minimize creases in the skin that create worry and frown lines to maintain a more youthful appearance.
Lip Treatments: Botox or Dermal Fillers?
One of the most common areas treated with cosmetic injections is the lips. Most commonly, lip fillers are used to create fuller, more voluptuous lips. Dermal fillers can add volume to thin lips or smooth “smoker lines” around the mouth for a more youthful appearance.
While Botox is not used to add volume to lips, it can be used for lip enhancement. The Botox “Lip Flip” treatment is popular to increase the pink portion of the upper lip. This is achieved by relaxing a muscle that affects the upper lip, flipping it outward for a more pronounced appearance. Botox can also relax the upper lip to decrease the appearance of a gummy smile.
Contouring the Face: Which Is Better?
Both neuromodulators and facial fillers can contour the face but in very different ways. Dermal fillers can be used to add volume to reshape facial features or add contours with almost immediate results. Filler injections can add volume to the temples, tear troughs, cheek, jawline, nose, lips and under the eyes to fill in hollows or add definition to the face.
Botox is not used for adding volume, but it can reshape the face through reduction. For feminization of the face, neuromodulators can be used to reduce the size of the masseter muscles (jaw muscles). Relaxing the masseter muscles with Botox injections can allow them to shrink in size over a few months, creating a slimming effect on the jaw. This can create a more feminine or heart-shaped appearance to the face.
Can Botox and Dermal Fillers Be Used Together?
Since facial fillers and neuromodulators are very different, they can effectively be used together. For example, Botox injections may be used for reducing frown lines on the brow, but dermal fillers can be used to smooth brow furrows that are etched in the skin. Many of our patients at Arcadia Wellness Center come in for a liquid facelift that uses both dermal filler and Botox injections to achieve a more youthful facial appearance.
The main differences between neuromodulators and fillers are that one impacts the muscles (Botox) and the other adds volume to the skin (dermal fillers). While both can have incredible cosmetic results, they are very different in how they work. You can have the best of both when you come to Arcadia Wellness Center for your cosmetic treatments.
Whether you want to explore wrinkle treatments or contouring your face, our aesthetic team at Arcadia Wellness Center can help you find the right cosmetic treatment to achieve your goals. Give us a call at our clinic in Phoenix to learn more about our cosmetic injections – call today to book your consultation with one of our aesthetic experts.
