What’s the Difference Between Botox and Dermal Fillers?

Botox® is a household name, renowned the world over for its anti-aging benefits. Lately, though, another group of treatments is gaining massive popularity as well: dermal fillers. You may have heard these terms used in similar ways: both can help combat signs of aging, rejuvenating the face with quick and easy injections that require minimal downtime. But they do have important differences in their use and application.

If you’re interested in Botox or dermal fillers but aren’t sure which is right for your aesthetic goals, we’re here to help! Our board-certified dermatologist and team of experienced providers are carefully trained in the application of these injectables to produce safe and natural-looking results.

What is Botox?

Botox is an anti-aging cosmetic treatment that involves injecting a substance called a neurotoxin into the skin. This neurotoxin, botulinum toxin type A, temporarily weakens underlying facial muscles, which in turn forces them to relax. Because the muscles don’t contract as much, the skin above stays smooth and wrinkle-free.

Who is Botox Right For?

Botox is ideal for those interested in treating, improving, or preventing fine lines, wrinkles, and deep creases caused by repeated expressions and facial movements, including:

• Crow’s feet
• Frown lines or glabellar lines (between the eyebrows)
• Forehead lines
• Smoker’s lines
• Bunny lines (on your nose)
• Masseters (to slim a square or prominent jaw)
• Platysma neck bands (one of the first signs of aging)
• Lip lines
• And much more!

Botox is ideal both for those who are already dealing with wrinkles and for those looking to start anti-aging treatments early as a preventive measure. It is common for patients in their 20s and 30s to get Botox to delay the development of fine lines and wrinkles! Frequent Botox injections can even train facial muscles over time to under-react, further preventing the development or worsening of fine lines and wrinkles.

What Are Dermal Fillers?

Where Botox addresses wrinkles, dermal fillers address volume. These injectables use non-toxic, naturally derived substances to replace lost volume, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, fill out facial scars, and enhance the contours of the face. They can be a great alternative to plastic surgeries such as facelifts.

Dermal fillers work by replacing the fat, collagen, and elastin that our bodies naturally stop producing as we age. These proteins and fats are responsible for that supple, youthful look we all crave. Dermal fillers act similarly to these substances, plumping, volumizing, and smoothing hollow or sagging skin. We can even use them to alter the shape of the cheeks, lips, and chin.

What Types of Dermal Fillers Are There?

There are many types of dermal fillers out there, all of which have unique properties suited for different applications and treatment areas. At Advanced Dermatology of North Central Ohio, we offer a variety of Juvéderm® fillers to suit your unique needs.

The Juvéderm collection of fillers is made with a modified form of hyaluronic acid (HA), which makes them great for lifting and contouring cheeks, chins, and lips, as well as smoothing out wrinkles. HA is a naturally occurring substance that provides moisture and volume to our skin. As we age, our bodies produce less of this youthful substance—but with Juvéderm, we can counteract this loss.

What Are Dermal Fillers Best for?

Dermal fillers are best for those who want to address sagging, hollow, or scarred skin, or who want to volumize and enhance the contours of their face or hands. We often use them to treat the following skin concerns:

• Thin lips
• Marionette lines (lines from the corner of the mouth to the chin)
• Laugh lines
• Depressed scars from acne, burns, and wounds
• Nasolabial folds (lines from the sides of the nose to the edges of the mouth)
• Sagging cheeks
• Sunken hands

Should I Go to a Dermatologist for Botox and Dermal Fillers?

Yes! Medical practitioners have used these injectables to great effect for decades. Done properly, treatment will produce noticeable yet natural-looking results almost immediately. But understanding the proper dosage, placement, and type of filler to use is an art. When it comes to enhancing and preserving the delicate beauty of your face, you should only trust a highly trained professional.

At Advanced Dermatology of North Central Ohio, our board-certified dermatologist and experienced team of providers have trained extensively with all of these injectable products. When you schedule a consultation with us, we’ll listen carefully to your goals and suggest an ideal course of treatment to match. If you’re ready to boost your confidence and reclaim your youthful glow, our experienced providers are ready to help!

Botox & Dermal Fillers in Mansfield, OH

Advanced Dermatology of North Central Ohio provides safe, effective, and masterful cosmetic dermatology solutions for our patients throughout the state. If you’re not sure which cosmetic treatment is right for you, schedule a consultation with one of our experienced providers. We can help you find the ideal solution for reclaiming your confidence. Contact us online or give us a call today at (419) 780-3157!