Dermal Fillers or Botox? Which Treatment is Right for You?

These days, there are more wrinkle treatment options available than before. Botox and dermal fillers (soft tissue fillers) remain two popular options for long-lasting results. While both are used to eliminate wrinkles, these two options are not exactly alike. For example, Botox is designed to freeze muscles, ultimately reducing the fine lines and wrinkles created by facial expressions. Whereas fillers add fullness, eliminating wrinkles where the skin is thinning most. Both treatments are effective and are offered at our medical spa in West Palm Beach. Deciding which to choose depends on the results you want to achieve.

What is Botox?

Botox is a muscle relaxer that contains purified bacteria. Originally used to treat neurological disorders, it was later used to correct wrinkles and has been a popular choice for over two decades. When people express emotions, their facial features change. Lines occur as a result. These are known as dynamic wrinkles. Botox is an effective treatment of dynamic wrinkles, which generally occur between the eyebrows, around the eyes, and the mouth. Botox, a muscle relaxant, blocks nerve signals in the muscles, essentially relaxing the muscles that create wrinkles. This procedure can only treat fine lines and wrinkles that are caused by muscle movement. In other words, it cannot correct fine lines and wrinkles caused by collagen breakdown.

Botox is not a permanent solution, but it is long-lasting, as it can last up to 3 months. Nevertheless, repeated treatments are necessary for continual effects.

What are Dermal Fillers?

Like Botox, Dermal fillers are an injectable designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, primarily those around the mouth (smile lines). Because the substances in Dermal fillers are commonly used to add volume and fullness, they can also be used to plump up areas on the face, such as lips and cheeks. It can also be used to reduce scarring.

Like Botox, Dermal fillers are not permanent, but they do provide long-lasting results. Depending on the cosmetic issue you are treating, it can last up to 6 months or 2 years. Unlike Botox, they can treat wrinkles caused by a decrease in collagen and elasticity in the skin.

When you speak to the medical professional at Beaute Therapies, depending on the cosmetic issue, together you will choose whether you need Botox, Dermal fillers, or a combination of both.

How Effective are These Treatments?

Both treatments are extremely effective at treating cosmetic issues. With Botox, it is likely that you will see results within a week after the procedure and they can last a few months. Once the treatment wears off, you will need to return to Beaute Therapies for another session.

Dermal fillers can last longer than Botox, but results differ depending on which filler you use. For example, we offer three different soft tissue fillers that achieve different goals:

• Radiesse: Volumizing filler that provides instant lift by stimulating your body’s own collagen production. Can last up to a year or more.
• Belotero Balance: Gel filler, also known as hyaluronic acid, reduces moderate to severe wrinkles around the mouth. Can last up to 6 months.
• Juvederm: Hyaluronic acid filler that adds volume to various areas of the face, such as cheeks, lips, and around the mouth.

Although each Dermal filler is long-lasting, much like Botox, you will need to return for another session after the effects wear off.

Side Effects

You may experience side effects with both treatments although they are considered safe. The side effects associated with Botox generally occur as the effects of the treatment wear off and are temporary.

Dermal fillers have more side effects than Botox, but many are considered rare. The most severe side effects are often the result of unregulated procedures. You can prevent this by going to a licensed medical professional, such as the team at Beaute Therapies, who use FDA-approved Dermal filler needles. Common side effects are temporary, generally lasting only a couple of weeks.

Visit Beaute Therapies

Whether you are looking to correct dynamic wrinkles or wrinkles that develop due to collagen breakdown, Beaute Therapies has the treatments you need for quality results. Established in 1998, we have been delivering spa, wellness, and medical aesthetic services to help individuals achieve their beauty goals. Visit our medical spa in West Palm Beach for a consultation or call (561)653.3399 today.