Botox vs Fillers: What’s Best for Fine Lines and Wrinkles?

May 3, 2022

Do you have wrinkles on your face that you wish would disappear? Have you been feeling like you want to freshen up your look?

If you’ve been looking at botox vs. fillers then you’re in good company as in 2020, Americans spent almost $16.7 billion on cosmetic procedures.

Botox and fillers are not only affordable, but they make a huge difference in how you look and feel about yourself. The question is figuring out which one is best for your particular situation.

Keep reading to learn all about botox and fillers to see which one will be the answer for you!

All About Botox

Botox injections have been used for many years to treat facial wrinkles and fine lines and are made from the toxin Clostridium botulinum.

Botox injections work by blocking signals from the nerves to the muscles so the muscles can’t contract. As a result, wrinkles will relax and soften in appearance.

What Types of Wrinkles Does Botox Correct?

Botox works best on wrinkles that are caused by muscle movement. These types of wrinkles are often referred to as dynamic wrinkles or expression lines.

The most common wrinkles Botox is effective at treating are forehead lines, crow’s feet around the eyes, and frown lines. You’ll find Botox doesn’t work as well on wrinkles caused by sagging or loss of fat in the facial areas.

The results of Botox are not permanent and you’ll need repeated treatments to get the results you’re looking for. You can expect the effect of Botox injections to last up to 3 to 4 months.

The Injection Procedure and Aftercare

Getting a Botox cosmetic injection is easy and you’ll experience minimal pain. Your doctor will use a thin needle to inject small amounts of Botox into the designated treatment areas.

There are some aftercare instructions you’ll need to follow like not to rub the treatment area for at least 24 hours and gently exercise your facial muscles. It’s also best to sit upright for four hours after the injection to prevent bruising.

You should also avoid exercise for 24 hours, but you can resume your other normal activities right after the injection. You’ll notice results immediately, but it will take about 1 to 3 days after treatment to see the full result.

Benefits of Botox

Botox not only reduces the appearance of your facial wrinkles and fine lines, but it has many other amazing benefits too which include:

You can customize your Botox treatment plan
Botox saves you money on other skincare products and treatments
Botox enhances your natural beauty
Botox is safe and FDA approved
You’ll have smooth skin

All About Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are a great option to treat deeper wrinkles on your face and are used to restore volume and fullness. Some people also turn to dermal fillers to reduce the appearance of scars.

Dermal fillers are injectable and the effects typically last anywhere from 6 to 18 months depending on the type of filler you choose. Fillers are designed for use in the cheeks, nose, mouth, and lips.

Types of Dermal Fillers

There are different types of fillers you can choose from. Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvaderm are some of the most popular fillers people use today.

Hyaluronic acid is naturally produced by your body and found in the fluids of the joints and eyes. It has many benefits such as promoting healthier skin that retains moisture better so it reduces the appearance of wrinkles. It also stimulates the production of collagen and makes your skin fuller and younger appearing.

Other types of temporary dermal fillers include:

Calcium hydroxylapatite is a gel solution
Collagen
Poly-L-lactic acid which is a man-made material

The Injection Procedure and Aftercare

During the dermal filler treatment procedure, your doctor will mark the areas on your face that need to be treated. The area is then injected and massaged lightly to evenly distribute the filler and reduce swelling.

Juvaderm fillers contain a small amount of lidocaine, which numbs the area and reduces any discomfort you might feel. The procedure takes between 15 min and 1 hour, depending on how many areas you need treating.

After your filler injections, you’ll be advised to avoid strenuous exercise, makeup, and the sun for at least 24 hours.

Benefits of Dermal Fillers

Much like Botox, dermal fillers turn back the clock for your skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. They also have other fantastic benefits such as:

You’ll see immediate results
The effects are long-lasting
Builds self-confidence
The results are subtle
The natural ingredients in fillers are good for your skin

Botox vs. Fillers

Whether you choose botox vs. fillers, you’ll find the effectiveness of either one depends on what type of results you’re looking for.

It’s important to remember that Botox relaxes muscle movements and the lines that form due to this movement. While dermal fillers are good for deeper wrinkles, grooves, and creases that need more volume.

If you have deep lines that are present even when you’re not smiling or frowning, then fillers may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you want to get rid of the wrinkles you get when you frown or raise your eyebrows, Botox is the better choice.

Both of these injectables have many benefits and similar recovery times, so you’ll likely get noticeable results with whichever one you choose.

Learn More About Cosmetic Injections Today

If you’re looking to brighten up your face and boost your confidence, then it’s time to consider cosmetic injections.

If you can’t decide between botox vs. fillers, then you need to turn to la Belle vie Plastic Surgery for help. Dr. Jeff Church has years of experience with non-surgical cosmetic procedures as well as reconstructive surgery and can guide you along with the process.

You’ll feel right at home at our clinic and with our friendly, experienced staff. We offer financing options and can help you with any questions you have.