Comparing Injectables: How Do Fillers Differ from BOTOX®?
Since we can’t prevent our skin from aging and can’t stop outside forces like gravity and toxins from damaging it in some way during our lifetime, wrinkles seem to be something that we can’t totally avoid. The way we care for our skin, however, will have an impact on how quickly and dramatically these signs of aging appear. Luckily, even after creases and lines have started to show up, we can use cosmetic procedures to minimize them. When you’re searching for non-surgical anti-wrinkle treatments, there are two main options available: neuromodulators like BOTOX® and facial fillers like Juvéderm®. Some patients mistakenly believed that these are the same thing or are used for the same purposes. However, when you take a closer look at these two types of treatments, it becomes clear that they work in completely different ways. See below for an explanation of the similarities and differences between BOTOX® injections and Juvederm® fillers at our New Jersey-based practice.
Both fillers and BOTOX® are injected into isolated areas on the face. They’re considered to be minimally invasive treatments. Facial fillers like Juvederm® are made up of synthetic substances that physically take up space below the skin, adding volume and lift where collagen, moisture, or other substances have been depleted.
Juvederm® contains hyaluronic acid, a clear, viscous substance normally found in abundance in youthful skin and other connective tissues. Hyaluronic acid regulates hydration of the skin, as it can retain large amounts of water in the epidermis. It draws in water from the atmosphere or deeper skin layers. This property makes the injectable gel ideal for adding volume that pushes the surface of the skin outward to give it a smoother texture.
Results from a dermal filler treatment can last for six months to two years—depending on the specific product used and where it’s injected. The body gradually metabolizes the gel, and the skin returns to its original state with depleted volume.
BOTOX® is called a neuromodulator because it influences the activity of facial nerves. This injectable temporarily deactivates the facial muscles in certain areas to prevent them from moving and stretching the skin.
BOTOX® is designed to treat dynamic wrinkles, which are the wrinkles that appear during facial expressions. These include crow’s feet and frown lines. The results from a neuromodulator treatment tend to last for a few months. Muscle activity gradually returns as the active ingredient in the injectable breaks down, restoring full motion to the muscles and allowing ridges, furrows, and lines to appear again.
Get more advice on injectables from South Jersey Skin Care & Laser Center. If you’re interested in finding out more about these treatments, call us at (856) 810-9888 or submit a contact form.