Botox vs fillers: What’s right for me?
Both Botox and fillers are used in the fine lines that appear on your skin over time. But which one is right for your needs? Let’s look at the differences between the two types of treatments.
There are so many skin rejuvenation treatments available these days, it can be confusing to know which one is right for you. Botox and dermal fillers are often mentioned together as they are both injectables, however they have very specific – yet complementary – roles to play.
Botox relaxes muscles while fillers plumps skin
In a nutshell, Botox works well for lines of expression – in other words in parts of the face that move (furrow, forehead and crow’s feet) – while lines at rest need fillers to plump them up (e.g. laugh and lip lines).
Botulinum toxin or Botox is a temporary muscle relaxant that is injected into the muscle beneath a wrinkle that is causing the lines (whether it’s to frown, smile, etc). It is a natural, purified protein that is also used to treat medical conditions, from migraines to excessive sweating. It has been around for decades and is the most tested product on the market, certified in the medical and cosmetic field.
It works by partially blocking the nerve impulse to the muscle with the effect of decreasing the contraction of the muscles. Less muscle contraction results in less wrinkling of the skin. The great thing about Botox is that it takes only a few minutes to do and there is no real downtime. Some people may experience slight bruising and swelling afterwards but this can easily be masked by make-up. Compared to fillers though, the effects of Botox don’t last as long and most people need a top-up after about four months.
We usually advise patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding to hold off on treatment until they are finished nursing.
Fillers help restore the elasticity of your skin
As your body ages, it starts to produce less and less collagen – the framework that supports your skin. If you imagine the scaffolding under your skin breaking down, skin will naturally start to sag, look dry and appear thinner and less elastic. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) – the ingredient of fillers – is a naturally occurring ingredient of the skin that dermal fillers add back to make it appear youthful and plump again.
The procedure entails the injecting of skin with HA through a tiny needle to fill in and smooth away facial wrinkles and folds and redefine lips. Fillers can also to add structure or volume to the cheeks, brows, and lips. The effects of fillers last for up to a year. Like Botox, treatments like dermal fillers are not suitable for pregnant women.
So to sum up: Botox works wonders for treating lines and wrinkles while fillers work for loss of volume. The two treatments can work beautifully together if you consult with an experienced doctor like Dr Winkler, who will create a tailormade treatment plan for your skin goals.
If you want to find out more about any of our treatments, please get in touch with us to set up an appointment with Dr Winkler. She offers a range of treatments that can have you looking your best, whatever your age.
Contact
Tel: +27 (0) 87 630 0183
Email: dr@drwinkler.co.za