If you have been looking for ways to reduce fine lines and wrinkles on the face, you’ve likely come across a few options including both Botox and dermal fillers.While these injectable treatments are both effective, long-lasting ways to rejuvenate your appearance, there are some key distinctions you should know before selecting a cosmetic procedure.
In this article, we’ll discuss the differences between dermal fillers vs Botox, including their uses, side effects, and price points.
At Elite Facial Plastic Surgery, we specialize in cosmetic injectables like Botox and dermal fillers. If you are looking for a fast, effective, and lasting way to transform your skin and regain a youthful glow, schedule a complimentary consultation.
Comparing Dermal Fillers vs. Botox
Dermal fillers and Botox are two popular treatment methods for creating a smoother, fuller, and more youthful complexion. While they are both injected via needle, there are differences in their chemical properties that cause them to have unique effects on your appearance.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers, often referred to as soft tissue fillers or injectable implants, are commonly made of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in your body that decreases as you age. They are injected beneath the skin and bind to the water under your skin’s surface, which plumps up the treatment area to create a youthful and rejuvenated look.
As you age, your skin naturally begins to lose collagen and hyaluronic acid, which can leave you with thin-looking cheeks and lips, as well as deep facial wrinkles. Dermal fillers work to restore lost volume and give you a fuller and younger appearance.
Dermal filler treatments are commonly used to:
- Reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds
- Plump up thinning lips
- Fill in recessed acne scars
- Reduce static wrinkles under the eyes
- Fill in and enhance shallow areas in the jawline, cheeks, chin, and back of the hands
While hyaluronic acid is the most commonly used substance for dermal filler procedures, you may come across other types of fillers, such as collagen, calcium hydroxyl apatite, poly-L-lactic acid, or polymethylmethacrylate beads. These are the only FDA-approved fillers for facial use, and the lasting effects of each substance can be anywhere from 4 months to 5 years.
There are a variety of different dermal fillers on the market, including Juvederm, Radiesse, Restylane, and more. While these dermal fillers all focus on creating a youthful, natural look, each one has unique benefits. During your consultation, your cosmetic specialist will help determine which type of dermal filler will help you achieve your aesthetic goals.
What is Botox?
Botox, also known as botulinum toxin, is a neurotoxin that acts as a muscle relaxer when injected into the facial muscles. As you age, repeated facial expressions will cause dynamic wrinkles to appear near your mouth, eyes, and between your eyebrows.
Botulinum toxin injections work by blocking nerve signals, effectively freezing the muscle movement that causes these wrinkles.
Botox can reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles, including:
- Crow’s feet
- Frown lines
- Smile lines
- Glabellar lines (“eleven lines” between the eyebrows)
Botox is also commonly used as a preventative measure to keep dynamic wrinkles from turning into static wrinkles, or those that are always visible regardless of your facial expression.
In addition to reducing wrinkles, Botox treatments are commonly used to treat a number of medical concerns, including chronic migraines, facial tics, and excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis.
Botox and other brands of botulinum toxin, including Xeomin and Dysport, are used to treat different problem areas. However, Botox has become the in-house name for all types of injectable neurotoxins. Botox treatments last anywhere from 3 to 4 months, at which point you will need to schedule a follow-up appointment with your cosmetic technician.
Key Differences Between Dermal Fillers vs. Botox
While Botox and dermal fillers are capable of achieving similar results, there are several reasons why a patient may choose one over the other. Each one has its own set of uses, risks, and potential side effects. Your cosmetic specialist may suggest that one may be more useful and effective based on your unique beauty goals and your budget.
Use Cases of Botox vs. Dermal Fillers
The main difference between Botox and dermal fillers is the types of wrinkles they treat. Dermal fillers are primarily used to treat static wrinkles, or lines that appear as your skin naturally loses elasticity and collagen over time. These lines are always present, even when you aren’t smiling or making a facial expression. Static wrinkles include neck lines, lip lines, and nasolabial folds.
Botox injections are mainly used to treat dynamic wrinkles, or those that appear with repeated facial expressions over time. These may include crow’s feet, frown lines, and forehead wrinkles caused by raising the eyebrows.
Dynamic wrinkles will eventually become static wrinkles, especially as you age and your skin loses elasticity. Botox is often used as a preventative treatment to avoid static wrinkles, while dermal fillers are used to fill in existing wrinkles and deep lines.
Risks of Dermal Fillers vs. Botox
When administered by a professional, the risks of dermal fillers and Botox are extremely low. Although rare, there is a potential that you could experience bodily harm from both if improperly injected.
Dermal fillers, when not administered by a professional, can lead to overfilling, skin discoloration, allergic reactions, or infection. There is also a risk of dermal fillers being injected into a blood vessel. If this occurs, you could experience severe tissue damage, blindness, or stroke.
Because Botox is a neurotoxin, it must be carefully injected by an experienced medical professional. In cases where the Botox spreads away from the injection site, a patient may experience botulism, where the toxin attacks other nerves. This can result in blurred vision, weakness, and difficulty breathing or speaking.
While these risks may seem dangerous, the chances of them happening are rare, especially if you seek out a medical professional. If you attempt to receive treatment from a non-professional, you could expose yourself to harmful risks or contaminated products.
Side Effects of Dermal Fillers vs. Botox
Some of the common side effects of dermal fillers include:
- Pain or swelling at the injection site
- Bruising
- Redness
- Rash or itching
- Difficulty with certain activities when injected into the hand
Patients who receive a Botox treatment may experience similar side effects, including bruising and discomfort at the injection site. Some additional side effects of Botox include:
- Facial weakness
- Dry eyes
- Drooping eyelid
- Blurred vision
Most side effects should wear off within 1 to 2 weeks. If your side effects persist or are causing increased pain or discomfort, contact your healthcare provider.
Efficacy of Dermal Fillers vs. Botox
The results of dermal fillers typically last longer than Botox injections. As stated previously, there are several different kinds of dermal fillers, each offering unique results. For a standard hyaluronic acid filler, you can expect immediate results to last anywhere from 6 to 12 months. This timeline can be extended with regular upkeep. If you decide to go with polymethylmethacrylate beads, you can expect results for up to 5 years.
Botox lasts anywhere from 3 to 4 months before you will need to make another appointment with your doctor. This is because Botox is typically absorbed by the body at a faster rate than fillers. However, the results will vary based on your injection site, how many units your doctor injects, and your body’s ability to process proteins.
Results of Dermal Fillers vs. Botox
The results of dermal fillers are more immediate than Botox. Typically, Botox patients have to wait 10 to 14 days to see the final results of their Botox injections, while patients who received fillers will notice their results right away.
For both Botox and fillers, you should wait between 1 and 4 weeks for the swelling to subside and for the substance to integrate with your body before seeing your final results.
Cost of Dermal Fillers vs. Botox
The cost of dermal fillers ranges anywhere from $680 to over $1,000 per syringe, depending on the type of injection you choose. More permanent fillers, such as polymethylmethacrylate beads, will be more expensive.
Botox has a slightly lower price range, as the cost varies based on the dosage amount. Botox is priced based on the number of units used in a single appointment, with one unit ranging from $10 to $15.
For example, you may need 20 units of Botox to treat frown lines and another 20 units to treat forehead wrinkles. Therefore, the final price of Botox can range from $300 to over $1,000, depending on the number of injection sites.
Choosing Between Botox & Fillers
Botox and dermal fillers are both non-surgical, minimally invasive options used to treat the appearance of lines and wrinkles. When making your final decision between Botox and dermal fillers, there are several things to consider before making your appointment.
Botox is more cost-effective, but ultimately dermal fillers are able to produce more immediate and long-lasting results. The associated risks and side effects are similar, but patients may experience more side effects with Botox than with fillers.
The final decision will come down to the type of wrinkles you have. If you have dynamic wrinkles that disappear when you relax your face, Botox may be your best option. However, if your wrinkles are static and visible, no matter your expression, you may experience better results with dermal fillers.
A skilled team of medical professionals will be able to guide you in your decision. They will be able to tell you what kind of wrinkles you have and, ultimately, which treatment option will be most effective in helping you reach your cosmetic goals.
Call Elite Facial Plastic Surgery Today to Discuss Your Cosmetic Goals
Elite Facial Plastic Surgery is Tampa’s preferred choice for aesthetic treatments. We offer Botox and popular brands of dermal fillers, including Juvederm and Radiesse. Our skilled medical professionals can help you determine which treatment will best meet your cosmetic needs.
For a complimentary aesthetic consultation, contact us at Elite Facial Plastic Surgery today!
