Botox vs. Dermal Fillers: Which One Is Right For You?

If you’re on the hunt to smooth wrinkles, add volume, or create contour and plumpness, chances are you’ve heard of Botox and dermal fillers. Millions of people each year get Botox and dermal filler treatments. Both have benefits and specific uses, but which is right for your personal goals? Below, we take a look at some key differences between Botox and dermal fillers to help you decide which one is right for you.

What is Botox?

Botox is a purified form of the botulinum toxin that is obtained from bacteria. Though it is deadly in larger amounts, the tiny, regulated amount used in Botox is incredibly effective at correcting wrinkles and has been used safely for decades. Botox works by blocking nerve signals in the muscles where it is injected. When those nerve signals are interrupted, the affected muscle is temporarily paralyzed or frozen. Without movement of these selected muscles in the face, certain wrinkles may be softened, reduced, or even removed.

What are dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers are substances designed to be injected beneath the surface of the skin to add volume and fullness. They can be made of a few different substances, the most common being hyaluronic acid, which is found natural in the body and adds plumpness to the skin.

What are the differences between dermal fillers and Botox?

Besides the difference in their composition substances, there are a few other key differences between Botox and dermal fillers. Botox is used to freeze muscles in the skin to stop the skin from natural creasing when making facial expressions, which inevitably prevents wrinkles from forming. Botox is most commonly used on the upper face in areas such as the forehead and around the eyes in the area commonly known as “crow’s feet”.

Dermal fillers also seek to reduce the prominence of wrinkles, but they are most commonly used to “fill in” or plump areas that have lost volume. This includes wrinkles around the mouth, thin lips, and cheeks that have lost fullness. Botox results last 3 to 4 months. Dermal filler results vary, depending on which filler is used.

At the end of the day, choosing between dermal fillers and Botox will depend on your aesthetic goals. If you are interested in dermal fillers or Botox in Tampa, call the specialists at Academic Alliance in Dermatology today or request an appointment online!