Botox and fillers may sound the same, but the truth is they are actually different. Either of these two treatments can be your option and may also cause some confusion when it comes to its differences, so it is important to know which of these treatments would work best for you.
To help you know the difference between these two treatments and which one is the best choice for you. Improved Body Tampa will be sharing how they differ and the essential questions that should be asked before considering the treatment.
Botox and fillers are a cosmetic treatment that is performed by injecting the solution beneath the skin. The procedure is usually done in a doctor’s office. This type of treatment is minimally invasive, which means that it does not involve surgery. These are the only similarities of the treatment.
Botox and filler are considered to be the most popular cosmetic treatments in the US. Based on the study done by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), there are more than 9 million procedures in the year 2015.
Botox is composed of filtered bacteria that enable muscles to freeze. Once the solution is injected underneath the skin, it will help reduce or minimize wrinkles and fine lines caused by the expressions of the face.
On the other hand, fillers are composed of a unique formulation that enhances the fullness of areas the face that has thinned out caused by aging. The skin thinning often occurs in facial areas such as lips, cheeks, and around the mouth.
Before considering any of these cosmetic treatments, it is important to know the risks and costs of treatment and have sensible expectations regarding the results it can deliver.
Botox
Botox is composed of a filtered form of a toxin named botulinum, which is collected from a bacteria. Although the solution is harmful in huge amounts, the regulated amount can effectively correct wrinkles and fine lines. Botox has been safely used for many years to look youthful.
Botox blocks the nerve signals of specific muscles where the solution is injected. When the signals from specific nerves are blocked, the muscle temporarily freezes. Without a movement from the specific muscles on the facial skin, certain lines and wrinkles will be softened, minimized, or removed.
Other treatments that are obtained from botulinum toxins are sometimes called neurotoxins or neuromodulators.
Treatments that contain botulinum toxins are available under the following brand names: Dysport, Xeomin, and Botox Cosmetic.
What does Botox improve?
Botox effectively corrects wrinkles caused by occurring muscle movement. It is called dynamic wrinkles and known as the expression lines.
The common type of dynamic wrinkles botox treatment can correct forehead lines, furrow lines, brow lines, and the crow’s feet. These fine lines are mostly caused by facial expressions such as a frowning, smiling, and squinting.
Botox does not correct wrinkles or fine lines that are caused by a decreased plumpness or sagging. These are called static wrinkles, which lines that are often seen in the jowl neck and cheeks areas.
This type of treatment does not provide permanent results. It is necessary to repeat the treatments for a consistent wrinkle-free effect. Botox treatment often lasts within three to four months.
What are the after-effects and considerations of Botox treatment?
American Society of Plastic Surgeons considers Botox as a safe solution to use. Since the solution wears off after several months, most after-effects of the treatment only occur for a short time.
Side effects may include the following:
- Brow or eyelid may drop if injected around the eyes
- Paralysis or weakness of muscles of the injected area
- The appearance of rashes, hives or itching
- May experience redness, bleeding, pain, bruising, numbness, or swelling
- Light-headedness
- Dryness of the mouth
- May experience body aches and fever
- Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing
- Gallbladder issues
- Vision problems
This type of cosmetic treatment has the possibility to fail because of the natural antibodies that would start fighting the toxin. But this may only happen 1% of the time.
The ASPS recommends patients not to touch or rub the area on which the botox is applied. Rubbing the area could potentially spread the substance to the other areas of the skin, causing muscles to droop and also some other adverse effects.
The estimated cost of Botox treatment is around $400-$500 per area being treated. The cost may also depend on what the patient wants to get done.
Fillers
Fillers are also called dermal fillers. This substance is injected into the facial skin to enhance the fullness and volume of the area.
Substances used for fillers include:
- Hyaluronic acid is often found in the tissues and fluids of the body, this makes a thin facial skin plump.
- Calcium hydroxylapatite is a mineral-like compound that is found in bones.
- Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres (PMMA) is a semi-permanent filler
- Polyalkylimide is a gel-like substance that goes well once injected in the body
- Polylactic acid vitalizes the skin to increase collagen production.
Each of these substances is designed in treating various signs of aging and other cosmetic problems.
The effectiveness and longevity of fillers vary. Some filler can last for six months, while some other types may last for over two years.
Patients should individually discuss what they need and expect with their surgeon to figure out what type of dermal fillers would be the best option for them.
What do dermal fillers improve?
Every type of filler is used to treat various signs of skin aging. The results of the filler treatment depend on the type of filler that is used, it may:
- Add plumpness on thinning lips
- Remove the under the eyes wrinkle or shadow caused by lower eyelid movement
- Enhance the shallow areas of the face
- Minimize the appearance of static wrinkles, more specifically the ones located on the lower face
- Enhance the look of recessed scars
Static wrinkles are the lines that are visible across the cheeks and around the mouth area. These types of wrinkles or fine lines are due to loss of elasticity or collagen.
What are the after-effects and considerations of dermal fillers?
Fillers are safe to use, but some after-effects may occur. The common slide effects include:
- The appearance of skin rashes, red bumps or itching
- The skin may bleed, bruise, swelling or may have some redness
- The appearance of unbalanced lumps or over remediate wrinkles
- The skin may have some wound turning it to an infection or scarring
- May feel the injected substance beneath the skin
- Vision problems
- Skin cells may die due to lack of blood flow in the area
The filler treatment cost also depends upon the cosmetic surgeon performing it, the type of dermal filler that will be used, and the area where the solution will be injected. The estimated cost per area and type of solution is listed below:
- Hyaluronic acid cost $682 some example include Perlane, Juvederm Ultra Plus, and Belotero
- Calcium hydroxylapatite costs $691 an example is Radiesse
- Polylactic acid cost $915 an example is Sculptra
- Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres cost $889 an example is Artefill
The costs can be much higher lower, depending on the amount of filler that is used. The cosmetic clinic may charge professional fees and some other expenses.