The purpose of both dermal fillers and Botox is to achieve a desired aesthetic in a way that’s minimally invasive. Both of these procedures are cosmetic in nature and involve injections. However, there are significant differences. Given that millions of dermal filler and Botox procedures take place every year throughout the United States, it’s good to understand how they differ.
For starters, dermal fillers are often used to fill areas that have become thinner as a result of aging. There are special ingredients in dermal fillers that are designed to achieve this goal. This often includes a person’s lips and cheeks, as well as the areas around their mouth. On the other hand, Botox has bacteria that’s been purified and is purposed to freeze the muscles. When the muscles are frozen, the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines is minimized. Below are more details about how these two procedures differ.
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About Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are also known as soft tissue fillers because they contain a substance that goes right under the skin’s surface. Dermal fillers are highly effective at adding fullness and volume to the area treated. There are a variety of different substances that can be used for dermal fillers, such as hyaluronic acid, calcium, polylactic acid, polyalkylimide and polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres (PMMA). While different ingredients are preferred for various reasons, each ingredient effectively treats signs associated with aging. It’s worth noting that some dermal fillers last longer than others.
Risks of Dermal Fillers
Generally speaking, dermal fillers are safe. However, there are problems and side effects that might occur, such as swelling, bruising, redness, bleeding, and itching. There’s also a chance that skin damage from an infection, vision problems, scarring and a disruption in blow flow to the treated area. Although rare, it’s possible for a patient to experience results that are not symmetrical or to be otherwise unhappy with the procedure for a variety of different reasons.
About Botox
Botulinum toxin is contained in Botox in a purified form. While botulinum toxin can be dangerous in high amounts, Botox is regulated and has been used by millions of people around the world for decades. The amount of botulinum toxin in Botox is exceptionally small. The reason why Botox is effective is because it blocks signals that the nerves send to muscles where the injection takes place. This causes the muscles to be frozen temporarily. It’s the reason why wrinkles in the face are either removed or significantly reduced. Botox is also referred to as neurotoxins and neuromodulators.
Side Effects of Botox
Some of the side effects associated with Botox are nausea, dry mouth, drooping eyelids, itching, muscle paralysis, bruising, numbness, pain, and redness. Sometimes patients experience dry mouth, headaches, and problems speaking. It’s worth noting that periodically the treatment doesn’t work due to the body’s eagerness to fight antibodies. Despite the potential side effects, millions of people receive Botox injections every year. In fact, a lot of people receive these injections on a regular basis since the effects wear off over a period of time.
About Dr. Tanya Kormeili, MD
An internationally known dermatologist, Dr. Tanya Kormeili practices in Los Angeles and also has offices located in Santa Monica. Dr. Kormeili has a unique talent for addressing the individual needs of different skin types. She has an extensive history of success helping patients with unwanted wrinkles, skin cancer screenings, rosacea and many other issues. Dr. Kormeili can answer any questions that you have about fillers or Botox.