Dermal Fillers and Botox

Botox and dermal fillers are facial cosmetic procedures that “erase” signs of aging on the face with injected treatments. There are some differences between Botox and fillers, starting with the areas they treat best. Keep reading to learn which procedure is the best approach for your cosmetic goals. 

Do You Need Botox or Fillers?

Botox is preventional, it acts on stopping the communication between the nerve and muscle. Squinting, smiling, laughing, and frowning can take a toll. Aging often brings atrophy of fat pads in our face, and dermal fillers help replace those fat pads. Fillers can also be used to add volume to other parts of the face that have “lost” mass, such as the cheeks and the chin.  

Fun fact: George Washington’s face was so sunken from poorly-fitting dentures that his cheeks were stuffed with cotton when he sat for the famous “dollar bill” portrait. Those dentures were not made from wood but from ivory, metal, alloys, and most disturbingly, teeth from other humans (think of Les Miserables.). 

Where Do These Treatments Work Best?

The forehead area is definitely Botox territory. Botox works on smoothing deep lines and wrinkles by injecting a very minor paralytic, a toxin called botulinum toxin type A, into the muscles under the skin. It relaxes muscles and allows the skin to smooth out. In addition to the wrinkle or line between the eyebrows, Botox is also very effective on the so-called crow’s feet on the skin around the sides of the eyes. Read more about our Botox services.

Dermal fillers are also injected under the skin and are most effective in areas that have lost volume. Fillers do exactly what their name implies: they fill areas. This tends to be the lower half of the face, although fillers can sometimes be used in the botox region as well, to fill in hollow areas under the eyes. Many patients receive treatments with both products. Read more about facial filler treatments. 

Safety and Side Effects

Both products have been around for years and are considered very safe when injected by a trained and licensed professional. Both will last for months as well. There’s also evidence that fillers stimulate collagen production — the very substance that the face loses with age.

Side effects for both treatments are minimal and include: 

• Mild bruising
• Swelling around the injection sites that goes away after a few hours

We hope that now you have a better knowledge of dermal fillers and Botox and can decide what treatment to choose. Are you considering getting Botox or fillers for cosmetic treatment? Contact one of Dr. Rochlin’s offices today to schedule a consultation.