Botox & Fillers

What is Botox treatment?

Botox is a natural, purified protein that relaxes wrinkles causing muscles, creating a rejuvenated appearance. The active ingredient in Botox treatment is derived from bacteria in much the same way, penicillin is derived from mould. It is manufactured in sterile laboratory conditions. Botox is a prescription only medicine and treatment is only available from a qualified medical professional.

How does Botox treatment work?

Botox can be used to relax specific facial muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles (the wrinkles that are formed during facial expression). Once the muscles are relaxed, you cannot contract them preventing undesirable facial expressions. Thus, the lines gradually smoothen and new lines are prevented from forming.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers, sometimes called soft tissue fillers, are substances designed to be injected beneath the surface of the skin to add volume and fullness.

What can dermal fillers correct?

Different types of dermal fillers are designed to treat varying signs of aging. Depending on the filler selected, they may:

• Plump up thinning lips
• Enhance or fill in shallow areas on the face
• Decrease or remove the shadow or wrinkle under the eyes caused by the lower eyelid
• Fill in or soften the look of recessed scars
• Fill in or soften static wrinkles, especially on the lower face

Static wrinkles include those around the mouth and along the cheeks. These wrinkles are usually a result of a loss of collagen and elasticity in the skin.

Key Differences

In summary, the differences between Botox and fillers are:

• Botox: This freezes muscles to stop creases and wrinkles caused by facial expressions. These are typically found in the upper face, such as the forehead and around the eyes.
• Dermal fillers: These use hyaluronic acid and similar substances to "fill in" or plump areas that have lost volume and smoothness. This includes wrinkles around the mouth, thin lips, and cheeks that have lost fullness. They may also be used on forehead wrinkles, scars, and other areas that need extra volume for a smoother look.
• Botox results last 3 to 4 months. Dermal filler results vary, depending on which filler is used.

Because Botox and fillers are different substances designed for different uses, they can sometimes be combined in one treatment. For instance, someone may use Botox to correct lines between the eyes and a filler to correct smile lines around the mouth.