Botox has dominated the demand for injectables as the popularity of this treatment has grown over the last decade and more. These days, though, other fillers have been introduced and taken some of that market share from Botox.
But is there a difference between filler or Botox for the skin? Are there similarities between them? What is the best choice for you and your skin?
In this post, we’ll cover the answers to those questions and more. We’ll go over the most common uses for Botox and fillers, how they affect your skin, as well as the side effects and how long the results will last. We’ll also outline why some may choose Botox and others might choose fillers so that you can make an informed decision about your next skin treatment.
Let’s get started.
All You Need to Know About Botox
If you’re like many Americans who are in the market for skin treatments that fight fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging, you’re probably wondering if Botox is the right choice for you. Before you decide what’s best for your skin concerns, you’ll need to know what Botox is used for, how much your treatment might cost and if there are potential side effects. Read on and we’ll cover everything you need to know to make an educated decision on whether or not Botox is right for you.
What is Botox?
First and foremost, Botox is a brand name. The product is a Botulinum neurotoxin, which sounds a lot scarier than it is.
Botox is a safe and effective treatment that has been used with few side effects since the 1980s for many applications, including the treatment of excessive sweating, migraines and more. Botox injections rely on that neurotoxin to locally paralyze muscles under the skin that are responsible for the fine lines and wrinkles that appear on your skin.
When these muscles freeze, the wrinkles they cause tend on the skin to become less noticeable. The toxin in Botox is delivered locally into the muscle and remains where it was injected, affecting only the specific muscle into which it was delivered, making this a safe and effective way of reducing the signs of aging in the skin.
There are several of these toxins available in the United States, but Botox remains the most popular.
Most Common Botox Uses
The most effective way to use Botox is to tackle wrinkles caused by the muscles responsible for our facial expressions. For instance, crow’s feet and frown lines become significantly less visible with Botox injections. These dynamic wrinkles caused by muscle contractions are the target symptom treated by Botox. Conversely, static wrinkles that are not caused by muscle movements and are, instead, caused by the breakdown of collagen in your skin, do not respond to Botox injections necessarily.
Is Botox Permanent?
If you’re wondering what to expect after Botox, it’s pretty straight forward. Your Botox treatment will show visible results on your skin within a few days after the injection, with the full results becoming apparent within two weeks. However, these results are not permanent and you’ll likely need another injection in 3-5 months to maintain the appearance you’re looking for.
Botox Side Effects
Like just about any treatment, Botox injections have potential side effects, but these are minimal and often go away shortly after the injection. The potential side effects of Botox include:
- Bruising at the injection site – bruising and swelling where you’ve received your injection is a fairly common side effect and will slowly diminish in the days afterwards.
- Headache – Some patients report a mild headache after their injection which often subsides within a few hours, and less commonly, a few days.
- Nausea – 1-10% of Botox patients report mild nausea after their injection. The nausea tends to go away on its own after a few hours or days.
- Drooping eyelid – When a skilled practitioner performs the injection, less than 1% of Botox patients report drooping eyelids after treatment and if they do, they will typically resolve on their own as the neurotoxin wears off.
- Vision problems – In extremely rare cases, vision problems can be caused by an inexperienced person administering the injection which can allow the toxin to spread.
Costs of a Botox Treatment
Botox is priced per unit or per area, which means each Botox treatment will vary in cost depending on the number of units required. At Refine Aesthetics, expect to pay between $125.00 – $1,250.00 per visit when you’re undergoing Botox injections. You will be assessed for the goal of your treatment, expectations for outcome and we can tailor to your budget.
Dermal Fillers – The Basics
Dermal fillers are another method of tackling pesky wrinkles and other signs of aging on the skin. Before you decide if fillers are right for you, let’s take a look at what they are, what they’re most commonly used for, the costs associated with this form of treatment and if there are any possible side effects.
What Are Fillers?
Dermal fillers are made of injectable substances that cause a plumping, lifting or volumizing effect in the skin at the site of the injection.
There are several different types of fillers made with different substances. Some fillers use calcium hydroxylapatite, a substance that occurs naturally in bones. Others contain hyaluronic acid, which is also naturally occurring in various tissues in your body and attracts hydration and causes a plumping effect. Some fillers are made with polyalkylimide, which is a safe, gel-like substance. Other fillers contain polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres which are safe and semi-permanent.
Finally, you’ll also find fillers on the market made with polylactic acid, which triggers collagen production in the skin. Any combination of these fillers can be applied at once depending on the patient’s needs.
How Are Dermal Fillers Used?
Unlike Botox, dermal fillers do a good job tackling static wrinkles on the skin that result from the loss of collagen and elasticity. Dermal fillers are commonly used to plump up lips, fill out sunken areas of the face such as the cheek and fill in deeper wrinkles that are visible whether or not the muscles on the face are contracting. These treatments are approved for treatment on the face, hands and can treat scars. However, dermal fillers are not approved to plump other areas of the body, including the breasts and buttocks though they are commonly used in off label areas everyday. Making sure that you are with a skilled practitioner that knows anatomy and safety are of the utmost importance when choosing an aesthetic injector.
Dermal Fillers: Efficacy
Fillers produce results that can begin to be seen almost always immediately after the treatment. These results can last from a few months to several years, depending on the specific filler product used and the amount used in your treatment. However, like Botox, dermal fillers are not permanent and you will have to continue treatment to maintain the results.
Side Effects of Dermal Fillers
Like Botox, dermal fillers come with some possible side effects but these are less likely when you get your treatment from an experienced professional injector. Side effects may include:
- Allergic reaction – in rare cases, patients may have an allergic reaction to some dermal fillers. However, an allergy to one filler doesn’t rule out fillers altogether as they are made with different substances.
- Asymmetrical injection – if you’re seeking treatment for areas of the face that appear on both sides, it’s important that the injections on both sides of your face match. The best way to ensure your treatment provides symmetrical results is to seek treatment from experienced professionals.
- Bruising – bruising and swelling after any injection can occur and will resolve on its own in a few days. This is the most common side effect.
- Infection – Exceedingly rare, infection at the injection site is a risk that comes with any injection you’ll ever receive and can be easily treated.
Cost of Dermal Fillers
With dermal fillers, the cost is set per syringe and can vary between different filler products. You can expect to pay anywhere from $600 to $2000 per syringe for dermal fillers. For a more precise quotation, it’s best to contact your local professional at Refine Aesthetics so you’ll know what cost will be for your unique needs.
Botox vs Dermal Fillers: Final Thoughts
Botox & fillers are both designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles on the face but fillers vs botox, they are very different products. But there are significant differences between fillers vs. Botox. Botox is best used in tackling dynamic wrinkles, while dermal fillers perform best when they’re targeting static wrinkles and plumping lifting or filling out specific areas of the face. Depending on the dermal filler you’ve chosen, you may end up paying more than you would for a Botox treatment but results can also last longer, which means fewer treatments to maintain the results.
As each of these tools tackle different problems, the right choice between Dysport vs. Botox or Botox vs. Scultpra and Botox vs. fillers will depend on what problem areas you’re targeting and what your aesthetic goals are. So, how does one decide between Botox vs fillers? To find out what will work for you, get in touch with Refine Aesthetics today for your free consultation to learn about Austin Botox and dermal fillers in Austin.
