Botox and dermal fillers are both popular non-surgical cosmetic treatments that are applied by injection. However, they differ in that Botox freezes muscle, but fillers depend on filling wrinkles and sagging areas of the skin.
Fillers and Botox are both highly popular, with over 9 million procedures performed in 2015 (according to the ASPS).
Botox relaxes muscles to reduce dynamic wrinkles, while fillers add volume to address static wrinkles and volume loss.
Botox, containing a purified form of botulinum toxin, temporarily paralyzes muscles to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles.
Dermal fillers are used to restore volume in areas of the face that have lost fullness due to aging, such as the cheeks, lips, and around the mouth.
People should be aware of the risks and costs of these treatments and have realistic expectations of what they can do.
The difference between Botox and dermal fillers
Botox and dermal fillers may look similar at first glance, but they are actually very different.
Botox is a neuromodulator, and to be more accurate, it is considered a purified form of Clostridium botulinum bacteria, and in much higher doses, botulinum toxin (Botox) causes food poisoning, but in small doses, blocks nerve poison, causing weakening of injected muscles.
It works by blocking nerve signals in the muscles with which they are injected, and when these nerve signals are interrupted, the muscle injected is temporarily paralyzed or frozen, and when preventing the movement of these selected muscles in the face, some wrinkles can be reduced, mitigated or even removed.
Although popular as a cosmetic procedure, Botox injections can relieve pain and can also help correct problems caused by muscular disorders, for example, Botox injections for migraines, bladder hyperactivity and pain caused by temporal jaw disorders (TMJ).
Unlike Botox, which can have many uses whether cosmetic or therapeutic, dermal fillers are limited to cosmetic purposes only. Imagine it as a type of liquid substance that is injected under the skin and not into the muscle to fill and smooth the contours of the face.
Various filler brands use various synthetic substances, from hyaluronic acid to polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), and the duration of the filler depends on the substances used by the provider.
In some cases, a cosmetic dermatologist uses fat from another part of the body instead of an artificial substance to fill wrinkles, this procedure is called self-fat transfer.
You may need to review this article: What Are Fillers Made Of ?
What Lasts Longer: Botox or Fillers?
In general, fillers last longer than Botox, but because Botox and filler are used to treat different areas and to get different results, the duration of each other’s effects should not quite be compared to the other.
Botox injections last from 3 to 6 months, although it can be observed that the results last longer after injection for a second time.
Longer-lasting results are a product of small muscles near injection sites due to their lack of use.
For fillers, their longevity depends on the type used as well as the place of injection and the desired results.
Thinner fillers, such as that used to fill wrinkles, can last 6 to 12 months. The deeper injection results can last up to a year, and the newer filler can last up to two years.
Side effects of Botox and dermal fillers
Botox side effects
Most potential side effects of Botox are slight and temporary, lasting only one or two days, and include the following:
- Drooping eyelid or eyebrow if injected near eye
- Weakness or paralysis of nearby muscles
- Skin urticaria, rash or itching
- Pain, bleeding, bruising, swelling, numbness or redness
- Headache and neck pain
- Stomach disorders
- Dry Mouth
- Flu-like symptoms
- Nausea
- Problem with swallowing, talking or breathing
- Gallbladder problems
- Problems with vision or blurry vision
Treatment may also fail to work due to the presence of antibodies that fight poison, and this occurs in less than 1% of people who repeat Botox treatments.
Dermal fillers side effects
The use of dermal fillers can cause more risks and side effects than Botox, but severe side effects are rare, and minor side effects usually disappear within two weeks.
Some side effects of dermal fillers include:
- Allergic Reaction
- Bruises
- Infection
- Itching
- Numbness
- Redness
- Scars
- Proposals
In severe cases, long-term swelling of the face may occur, and ice bags can help relieve numbness and temporary swelling, and to reduce the risk of these and other side effects, you should undergo an allergy test before applying dermal fillers.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
FAQs about the difference between Botox and dermal fillers
Which is better: Botox or fillers?
In general, dermal fillers are more suitable for treating static or non-muscular wrinkles, they can also be used to improve skin texture and fill inundated areas and deep wrinkles, and fillers can also treat problems that Botox simply cannot treat, for example, Botox cannot be injected into the lips.
Which lasts longer, Botox or fillers?
Dermal fillers typically have more long-lasting results than Botox, and dermal fillers generally last between six months and two years, while Botox effects last an average of four months, but someone who has been getting Botox regularly for years can see the results last up to six months.
Should you get Botox or fillers first?
Botox and dermal fillers are both used to reduce wrinkles, but you may to start with fillers first and that would be a better strategy if volume loss is the primary concern, which can sometimes minimize the appearance of wrinkles, and this can then reduce the need for as much Botox.
What makes you look younger, Botox or filler?
Botox and dermal fillers target different aspects of aging, working together to create a more youthful appearance.
Is it okay to get Botox and fillers at the same time?
Botox and fillers Yes, absolutely! Botox and dermal fillers can be injected during the same appointment, and there will be no negative side effects due to these injections being made simultaneously.
Pingback: Forehead Fillers: A Path to Youthful Skin - Dijamora.com