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There are so many nonsurgical cosmetic treatments available today, and as advancements continue, it’s hard to decide which treatment might be the best one for you. Do you need Botox to smooth your wrinkles, or are fillers a better option? At South Shore Plastic Surgery, we are committed to making sure that our patients understand their choices for achieving the most effective results for their specific needs.
When you’re searching for the optimal treatment to combat the signs of aging on your face, it is important to understand the differences between Botox and facial fillers – what they each treat and how they work. Whatever you choose, both forms of treatment can help you to refresh and maintain a natural, youthful appearance.
Botox
The active ingredient in Botox is a small amount of a highly purified protein derived from a bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum. It’s a neurotoxin that blocks nerve activity where it is injected, stopping the neurotransmitters responsible for muscle movement from working properly. FDA approved in 2002, it is the number one nonsurgical treatment in the U.S., with nearly 5 million treatments performed each year.
Botox is a wrinkle treatment, but it only works when used on specific types of wrinkles, known as “dynamic” wrinkles. Typically the most visible when your face is in motion, these wrinkles are created by the constant natural movement of your face – repetitive facial expressions that occur daily, and eventually etch themselves into your face. Botox relaxes the muscles that cause these forehead and brow lines, and the lack of dynamic movement not only reduces their appearance, but actually trains the muscles to stay relaxed. With consistent use, Botox can soften noticeable wrinkles and help prevent new ones from forming.
Dermal Fillers
Facial fillers, which are also called dermal fillers, can also be used to prevent or eliminate signs of aging. Like Botox, fillers are an injectable wrinkle treatment, however, they are a completely different type of treatment to address completely different types of wrinkles.
The building blocks of young skin are collagen and elastin, proteins that give our skin elasticity and volume. As our skin ages, the body’s production of collagen and elastin slows, and existing collagen and elastin begins to diminish. The result is skin that succumbs more easily to wrinkles, and a loss of volume in the lips and face that give us an aged, hollow-cheeked look. Dermal fillers are designed to plump up trouble areas, restoring volume and filling in wrinkles. They are made of a variety of different substances, from hyaluronic acid (which is a molecule that occurs naturally in the human body) to synthetic ingredients.
Facial fillers are ideal solutions for what are known as “static” wrinkles, which, unlike dynamic wrinkles, can be seen even when your face is relaxed. Static wrinkles are smile lines, lines along the sides of your nose (nasolabial), and minor forehead lines. When fillers are injected into these wrinkles, they fill the creases, making them less noticeable or even eliminating them altogether. Fillers also stimulate collagen growth, so if you are diligent with your treatments, you can not only address existing lines, but prevent new ones from forming.
Whether you are seeing the beginning signs of aging in your face, or have lines that have bothered you for some time, South Shore Plastic Surgery has the answer. Call us today at 856-784-2639 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Vasisht, and learn how Botox or dermal fillers can rejuvenate your face.
