In cosmetic and aesthetic medicine, Botox and dermal fillers are both commonly used. Botox is a neurotoxin that is injected into the muscles to temporarily paralyze of them, which can reduce or eliminate wrinkles caused by muscle movement. Dermal fillers are injected into the skin to add volume and fullness, which can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, as well as enhance features such as the lips and cheeks. Botox and dermal fillers are both considered minimally invasive procedures and typically have minimal recovery time.
How do Botox and dermal fillers work?
By blocking nerve signals that trigger muscle contractions botox is a form of botulinum toxin, which is a protein that temporarily paralyzes muscles. It can reduce or eliminate wrinkles that are caused by muscle movement when it’s injected into specific muscles. Botox is most commonly used on wrinkles between the eyebrows, on the forehead, and around the eyes. The Botox effects typically last for 3-6 months before the muscles begin to function normally again and the wrinkles return.
Dermal fillers are made of various materials, like hyaluronic acid, collagen, or poly-L-lactic acid, that are injected into the skin to add volume and fullness. They work by filling in wrinkles, fine lines, and other depressions in the skin, plumping up the area and making it appear more youthful. These fillers are also used to enhance features such as the lips and cheeks. The effects of dermal fillers can last anywhere from several months to a couple of years, depending on the specific product and the area where it’s injected.
Differences between Botox and dermal fillers
Botox and dermal fillers are both commonly used in cosmetic and aesthetic medicine, but they work in different ways and are used to treat different types of concerns.
The main difference between Botox and dermal fillers is that Botox is used to temporarily paralyze muscles to reduce or eliminate wrinkles caused by muscle movement, while dermal fillers are used to add volume and fullness to the skin to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and other depressions in the skin, as well as enhance features such as the lips and cheeks.