If you’ve noticed that your face is showing those dreaded signs of aging, and you’re not quite ready for a surgical modification, you may want to consider anti-wrinkle injectables to help restore and maintain your youthful appearance. Botox and fillers have become increasingly popular for the treatment of facial aging in adults. If you’re new to the scene, you may be wondering about the difference between Botox and fillers and the best place to go for treatment. Dr. Adam Becker, facial plastic surgeon & founder of Triangle Facial Plastic Surgery in Raleigh, NC is here to help. Call 919-706-4900 for pricing and to schedule your consultation!
Botulinum toxin type A, (marketed as BOTOX®, DYSPORT® and XEOMIN®) improves the appearance of facial lines of expression. It’s most commonly used to treat moderate to severe frown lines on the forehead, crow’s feet around the eyes, and the vertical lines (aka 11’s) that form between the eyebrows. Botox blocks the signals between your nerves and muscles in the areas where it’s injected, freezing the muscles and preventing them from contracting.
The results are temporary and become apparent within a couple of days post-treatment. The full effect is reached in 7-10 days and lasts 3-4 months. Individual results may vary. When Botox wears off, your muscles return to their original appearance.
Dermal fillers are used for facial contouring. They fill in and volumize deeper creases and folds in the face that exist while the facial muscles are resting. There are a variety of fillers available to treat different areas of the face and yield distinct results.
Hyaluronic fillers (marketed as Restylane®, Juvedérm®, Volbella® and Belotero®) are most commonly used to temporarily improve signs of facial aging. They are highly effective in filling deeper facial lines and wrinkles on the resting face, including nasolabial folds (smile/laugh lines) that form from the edge of the nose to the outer corners of the mouth, and marionette lines that form and run down the corners of the mouth. Hyaluronic fillers are also sufficient for restoring and adding volume to the midface, cheeks and thinning, uneven lips. In addition, Hyaluronic acid fillers may be injected into the nose to temporarily correct unevenness, lumps and bumps (referred to as “liquid rhinoplasty.”).
Results from hyaluronic acid fillers typically last between 4-18 months, depending on the specific filler used and treated area. Individual results may vary.
Alternative fillers are available for additional corrections not attainable with hyaluronic acid alone and may yield longer-lasting results (upwards to 2-5 years). Individual results may vary.
Botox may also be used for facial contouring around the jawline alone or in addition to dermal fillers. While Botox is not a filler, it can be injected around the jawline to relax the muscles to create a more slender appearance of the lower face.
Selecting a highly experienced and skilled doctor, with an in-depth understanding of facial anatomy is critical. The slightest error during an injectable treatment could produce devastating results. Therefore, Dr. Becker administers all injectables to his patients, who travel from near and far for his outstanding, beautiful, and natural-looking results.
Ultimately, Botox and fillers may be used independently or in combination to achieve a more youthful-looking appearance. If you are wondering how an injectable treatment plan can assist with your anti-aging goals, contact us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Becker. During your consultation, he will conduct a thorough evaluation of your facial anatomy, customize a treatment plan, and answer any questions you may have.
