Wrinkles-Go-Away: Botox vs. Fillers
Looking our best (and youngest) has never been this important. While the reality is that true confidence is something that is nurtured deep within, liking what you see outside is definitely a valid factor, too.
Options have popped up everywhere offering ‘holy grail’ fixes akin to the fountain of youth. From drugstore brands offering scrubs, creams, and serums all the way to midrange and luxury brands putting on their shelves 10 steps of skincare made of rare and previously undiscovered natural ingredients, it’s clear that youthful beauty will be one societal standard that won’t be going away soon.
Two of the most popular wrinkle treatments are botox and dermal fillers. They are both minimally invasive, but they work quite differently in making those wrinkles vanish. Botox utilizes purified bacteria that works by freezing your muscles. This is what helps minimize the appearance of lines and wrinkles caused by facial expressions. On the other hand, dermal fillers contain various ingredients that can add fullness to areas that have thinned due to aging. Usually, treated areas include the cheeks, lips, and areas around the mouth.
What is Botox
Brand names include: Botox Cosmetic, Dysport, Xeomin
It is a purified form of the botulinum toxin that is obtained from bacteria. While deadly in larger amounts, the tiny, regulated amount of Botox has been for decades safely given to correct wrinkles.
The way Botox works is by blocking the nerve signals in the muscles where it’s injected. With the nerves temporarily frozen, certain wrinkles may be softened, reduced, or even removed. This method is usually recommended for treating lines on the upper face, such as the “11’s” between the brows, horizontal lines on the forehead, and crow’s feet around the eyes. This includes lines caused by smiling, frowning, squinting, and other facial expressions. This method, however, is ineffective when it comes to restoring sagging skin or loss of volume in the face (specifically in the cheeks, neck, and jowl areas).
Botox is not a permanent treatment. It is common for the muscle-relaxing and wrinkle-reducing effects to last for approximately 3 to 4 months, after which patients have the option to repeat the treatment.
Botox is generally a safe treatment, and since it also wears off over time, any side effects are merely temporary. This may include:
Flu-like symptoms
Nausea
Trouble swallowing, speaking, or breathing
Gallbladder problems
Blurry vision or vision problems
Drooping of the eyelid or brow if injected near the eye
Weakness or paralysis of nearby muscles
Hives, rashes, or itching
Pain, bleeding, bruising, swelling, numbness, or redness
Headache
Dry mouth
What are Dermal Fillers
Also known as ‘Wrinkle Fillers,’ this type of treatment is a gel-like substance that’s injected beneath the skin to restore any lost volume. This treatment is particularly great for those who are looking for a no downtime-no surgery approach to a more youthful appearance. Although it was first celebrated for its anti-aging effects, the benefits of Dermal Fillers are so much more:
Decrease or remove the shadow or wrinkle under the eyes caused by the lower eyelid
Smoothen out lines around nose and mouth (also known as: marionette lines, smile lines, and parentheses)
Enhance & restore volume to sunken cheeks or temples due to age or scarring
Diminish vertical lip lines
Plump & enhance the lips
Smooth out a chin crease
Improve symmetry among facial features and profile
Facial contouring
You might find that there are so many names and brands for Dermal Fillers. Aside from manufacturing differences, each type also differs in chemical makeup, longevity, and softness. There is not one filler to rule them all. Your desired outcome, target areas, and compatibility are all considered by your doctor before recommending a specific formulation for the treatment.
The Wonder of Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Brand names include: Captique, Esthélis, Elevess, Hylaform, Juvederm, Perlane, Prevelle, Puragen, Restylane
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers are used to improve the skin's contour and reduce deep depressions in the skin due to scars, injury or lines. This variant promises potentially dramatic improvements for:
Marionette lines at the corners of the mouth
Redefining lip border
Scars including burns, acne and those caused by wounds
Smoker's lines; vertical lines on the mouth
Some facial scars
Worry lines that run across your forehead
Acne scars
Cheek depressions
Crow's feet at the corner of your eyes
Deep smile lines that run from the side of the nose to corners of the mouth (also known as nasolabial furrows)
Frown lines between the eyebrows
How it works
Hyaluronic acid, also known as ‘hyaluronan,’ is a breakout star in the industry. This is a clear, gooey substance that is naturally produced by your body, and high concentrations of it are found in soft connective tissues and in the fluid surrounding your eyes. Its main function is to retain water to keep your tissues well-lubricated and moist. Extracted and reformulated, it has now become one of the most popular kinds of injectable fillers. If the term sounds familiar, it's because the same substance is often injected into the aching joints of people with arthritis to ease pain and provide extra cushioning.
What makes this even greater is that this variant can be safely erased. Your doctor will simply inject an enzyme called ‘hyaluronidase’ that works by naturally breaking down the filler without any lasting side effects.
Just like Botox, Hyaluronic Acid Fillers are not permanent, but they do last longer. Some will last 6 months, while others can last up to 2 years or more. This varies on the brand and your body’s response to the treatment.
Although considered generally safe, some side effects may occur:
Skin rash, itching, or pimple-like eruptions
Redness, bruising, bleeding, or swelling
Undesirable appearance, such as asymmetry, lumps, or overcorrection of wrinkles
Skin damage that causes a wound, infection, or scarring
Ability to feel the filler substance under the skin
Blindness or other vision problems*
Death of skin cells due to loss of blood flow to the area*
*when injected the wrong way, the filler can get into a blood vessel and cause serious damage to the treatment area.
What to expect on your Wrinkle Treatment
You will begin with a consultation with your doctor. This is the time to discuss your concerns and goals.
It is normal to bring celebrity photos as your peg. While these two treatments definitely help, proper expectations must be set that results will not be as powerful as surgical treatments like a facelift.
Your doctor will evaluate the area you want to target and review your medical history. It is important that you fully disclose your medical history to avoid allergic reactions or complications due to skin and neurological conditions.
Just before the treatment, the target area(s) will be cleaned. You will also be given a topical anaesthesia to minimize discomfort during and after treatment.
After the treatment, you may have temporary mild bruising and swelling. This normally subsides after a few days. It may also be recommended to avoid strenuous activity and direct movements (such as rubbing and massages) on the treated areas for 2-4 weeks after the treatment as it may spread the toxin to surrounding skin.
References:
The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. “Injectable Dermal Fillers.” https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/procedure-learning-center/non-surgical/injectable-fillers-guide/. Accessed 22 December 2020.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “What types of dermal fillers are available?” Plastic Surgery Connect by ASPS, https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/dermal-fillers/types. Accessed 22 December 2020.
Berry, Jennifer. “What is the difference between Botox and dermal fillers?” Medical News Today, 6 January 2018, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320510. Accessed 29 December 2020.
Julson, Erica. “7 Surprising Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid.” Healthline, 21 April 2018, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/hyaluronic-acid-benefits. Accessed 29 December 2020.