Which Is Better: Botox or Dermal Fillers?
In most cases, once you reach your mid-30s, you’ve begun to see plenty of signs of aging. In fact, one of the most common reasons people visit a dermatology practice is for wrinkle reduction and other anti-aging treatments. So when it comes to wrinkles, which injectables are best? Let’s explore some of the most popular and effective products on the market to find out.
Botox and Dysport
Botox is a household name for good reason. This FDA-approved injectable can smooth out frown lines and wrinkles around the eyes, brow, and neck. Botox targets the muscles around a wrinkle or crease in the face using a purified protein derived from the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. This ingredient, when injected into the skin, prevents tiny muscle contractions by blocking the nerve impulses associated with them. Once the muscles around the wrinkle can no longer contract, the wrinkle smoothes out over time.
Dysport also uses an active ingredient derived from the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. Like Botox, it’s another effective wrinkle reducing treatment. The difference is that Dysport is more diluted, and therefore it can cover larger surface areas – for instance, the entire forehead rather than the glabellar lines between the eyebrows.
Neither Botox nor Dysport are permanent, so investing in these types of injectables will require regular treatments. Typically, they last from about three to five months, then will need a reapplication treatment to continue working on the wrinkles. These two options are usually the best for targeting deep facial creases.
Dermal Fillers
If you’re looking for restoration of volume – and the resulting firmness and youthfulness – dermal fillers might be your best bet. Dermal fillers like Juvederm can fill in sagging cheek bones, plump lips and reduce lines, and help firm up hollow areas under the eyes. Instead of using a toxin to cause muscle paralysis, dermal fillers utilize an active ingredient of hyaluronic acid. This acid occurs naturally in the body but decreases during the aging process.
When dermal fillers add hyaluronic acid to the skin, this hydrates and plumps the skin cells in and around the wrinkled or sagging area. It also promotes further production of hyaluronic acid, as well as collagen and elastin – which all contribute to skin’s elasticity and firmness. Dermal fillers also aren’t permanent, so you’ll need touch-ups every three to six months.
For the ultimate in wrinkle reduction, you might opt to receive both Botox and dermal fillers. A knowledgeable provider can guide you on this combination and ensure your results look natural. It’s usually best to move slowly, working on one area at a time instead of treating everything at once. Ensure that you’re working with a dermatologist with deep expertise in wrinkle reduction methods like injectables.
Contact Vanguard Dermatology
If you’re located in the greater New York City area and want to give Botox, Dysport, or dermal fillers a try, contact Vanguard Dermatology today for an appointment with one of our board-certified specialists. We can assess your situation, prescribe the right product or treatment, and administer injectables quickly and conveniently in our offices.