Women turn to cosmetic procedures to reverse the signs of facial aging, and most cosmetic procedures have great success. If they’re looking for a non-invasive way to minimize existing wrinkles and restore their youthful appearance, they’re probably trying to choose between BOTOX® and dermal fillers. What is the difference between these two different procedures, and which do doctors recommend?
What is BOTOX®?
While BOTOX® is proven to be effective at eliminating excessive underarm sweating, reducing the number of migraines patients get every month, and even treating a certain eye condition, its original purpose was for cosmetic reasons. It causes the temporary relaxation of facial muscles that cause wrinkles.
BOTOX® is used to reduce the appearance of frown lines, crow’s feet, and marionette lines. It is highly effective at relaxing the muscles that lead to these lines and wrinkles, but results aren’t permanent; the relaxation typically wears off in four to six months.
When the injections are given, small results may be immediately apparent, but maximum results can appear between three to seven days post-treatment. After time, the muscles become trained to relax so that treatments can be done less often over time.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
While BOTOX® relaxes muscles to decrease wrinkles, dermal fillers are injectable gels that fill in wrinkles and lines. These injections cause the skin to plump up where wrinkles have taken over or where facial volume has been lost. There are many dermal fillers on the market, and they’re all the same product with a few key differences.
Juvederm® and Restylane® are made from hyaluronic acid, a component that’s naturally found in the skin. Hyaluronic acid gives the skin its shape, volume, and moisture. Juvederm® has a few different forms to help treat deeper wrinkles. Restylane® can increase the volume and eliminate the wrinkles around the eyes.
Radiesse® is one of the longest lasting dermal fillers on the market and it’s made of calcium particles in a gel. It reduces wrinkles and encourages the skin to produce collagen.
These two procedures complement each other very well. BOTOX® relaxes the muscles that cause wrinkles, and dermal fillers fill in the wrinkles for almost immediate results. Many doctors believe if the two procedures are used together, the results are better than what any other procedure could produce.
Both BOTOX® and dermal fillers reduce the signs of facial aging with different methods, but the results are the same: more youthful looking skin without surgery or expensive creams. Contact the office of Dr. Thomas Funcik, MD today to schedule a consultation.