Botox or filler - what’s what?

Botox (botulinum toxin) and Dermal fillers are both very commonly used in aesthetic world jargon, though I notice many people using the terms interchangeably… they are however, different. Both are commonplace, provide great results (if administered correctly), have substantiated safety profiles, and are quick to provide results. Though they are used almost entirely differently, they both provide beautifully natural looking results with minimal downtime - oh yes. Now for the purposes of my writing wisdom, I’m only focusing on the face for Medical Aesthetic uses, though these products can be used all over different parts of the bod.

Botox is used to treat what we call “dynamic wrinkles” and fine lines; dynamic wrinkles are wrinkles in the skin caused by movement of the underlying muscles and tissues. Think frowning, laughing, being all confused all furrowing your brow. Fine lines are those ever so slight lines of age saying “hey, what’s up, you’ve been around for a while ya?”. How does Botox deal with that - well, it essentially freezes the muscle that is moving under the thin layer of skin, preventing the wrinkle from being created while speaking, laughing, thinking ‘dynamically’, with expression. Lines get deeper the older we get mainly as fat loss occurs and more repetitive movements start to settle into the skin, with a little bit of photo damage from the sun, and being human.

Common areas to get Botox include your crowsfeet around your eyes, forehead, frown/thinking lines, and even upper lip, all areas to help you to look and feel a youthful, happy, beautiful you.

Dermal fillers on the other hand have it in their name…they fill, plump, voluminize, restore, reduce wrinkle depth, and contour the face. They are created of different substances, commonly hyaluronic acid based, though made up of many different formulations. Be sure to ask your injector - they will know which products/viscosities are best for your particular area of focus.

You’re going to get filler in areas such as the lips, nasolabial folds, cheeks, under eyes, and marionette lines, as these are areas that experience age related fat loss in the face (right, fat in the face is actually a good thing).

With both Botox and Dermal Fillers there is upkeep, so expect to revisit your injector every few months for botox, and about twice a year for filler if you want to maintain a certain look. Both procedures should only be administered by a trusted medical professional such as a nurse or doctor, and does inherently come with some risk. Ask lots of questions at your next consultation, and enjoy the confidence of looking as amazing as you feel. :)