Dermal Fillers and Botox: The Perfect Team
Posted on 31st March 2018
There are many great pairings in life, and believe it or not, dermal fillers and Botox is one. Many may argue that there is a thin line between the two; with this line sometimes becoming blurred. These two procedures should be seen as complementary, not competing, so what exactly is the difference between the two?
What’s the Difference Between Botox and Dermal Fillers?
Botox and dermal fillers are both a cosmetic treatment that is given as an injection. They are both non-invasive, and don’t include surgery. However, this is where the similarities end.
- Botox temporarily relaxes the muscles through blocking chemical messages to the muscle from the nerves. This means there is reduced muscle movement and less defined wrinkles. It is usually carried out in the upper face, in areas such as the forehead and around the eyes.
- Botox results usually last around 3-4 months, whereas dermal fillers results vary dependent on which filler is used.
- Patients usually seek to have Botox when they have a particular area of their face they want to improve, such as frown lines.
During a consultation, an experienced practitioner will assess the patient’s whole face and then propose how they would benefit most. This may mean using dermal fillers alongside Botox.
- Dermal fillers are made from hyaluronic acids which are used to fill in the wrinklesand add volume to specific areas of the face. They tend to create a fuller and more youthful look.
- Dermal fillers are used in areas which have lost smoothness and volume. This can include wrinkles around the mouth, thin lips, or cheeks which have lost their fullness.
Because Botox and dermal fillers are different substances designed for different uses, they can be combined as one treatment to create the desired aesthetic. As an example, Botox may be used to correct lines between the eyes, and a filler used to correct the smile lines around the mouth.
Comparisons of Dermal Fillers and Botox
- Age – Most commonly, people in their mid-thirties or above use Botox and people from thirty upwards tend to opt for dermal fillers.
- Areas of Treatment – Botox is commonly used for frown lines, crow’s feet, and the jawline. Fillers can be used on the whole face to add volume.
- Typical Patients – Individuals who choose Botox are usually looking for a quick solution to reduce wrinkles, sometimes for a special occasion. Dermal fillers are usually the treatment of choice by anyone who is concerned by obvious ageing. It is also commonly used by highly active people and individuals who have low fat levels in their body and therefore naturally have hollow facial features.
- Lasting Effects – Botox lasts anywhere between 3 and 4 months whereas dermal fillers can last between 12 and 18 months.
- Treatment Time – Botox is a quick solution and typically takes around the 30-minute mark or just under. Dermal fillers can take anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour.
Botox and Dermal Fillers Together
Botox and dermal fillers can be used together depending on the area which is being treated. Your practitioner may advise waiting a couple of weeks to see the results of the Botox first.
Having Botox and fillers together works well for a lot of people, especially because it can prolong the effects of the fillers.
Volume loss and wrinkles naturally occur as we age, causing hollowing around the eyes and flattening of the cheek area amongst other issues such as lines around the mouth. Botox can assist the fillers in creating and prolonging a more youthful look.
