What Is The Difference Between Botox and Dermal Fillers

What Is The Difference Between Botox and Dermal Fillers

While they are not used for the same purpose nor are they the same type of product or procedure, dermal fillers and Botox are often confused with one another. In reality, while the procedure for getting either is non-invasive, they are very different.

What is Botox?

Botox is actually a neurotoxin that is safely used to disrupt the signal between a muscle and the brain. By interrupting the signal, your muscles will be forced to relax. The results from Botox are only temporary as the neurotoxin will metabolize over time, lasting for up to four to six months.

Botox is commonly used as a treatment against signs of aging and wrinkles, relaxing facial muscles that have been put under strain throughout the years, but Botox has many other purposes. It has been shown to be effective in treating migraine sufferers, people who sweat excessively, and even can help with spastic muscles. Botox is not an instant solution, however. The muscles need time to relax, so the wrinkles should gradually reduce over the course of two to three weeks, making it less obvious that you have had any treatment done.

What are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers, such as Juvederm, are made up of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring acid that already exists in your skin. It is injected in areas that have begun to sag in the face, either due to weight loss or aging.

Dermal fillers are primarily used to give a more youthful appearance, filling in the space under the skin that is causing wrinkles. They can also help other cosmetic concerns, including a crooked nose or scars on the face. This is not permanent either, lasting anywhere from four months up to nine months, depending on your metabolism. One big advantage that dermal fillers have is that you can see the results from them right away, which is not the case with Botox.

What do they have in common?

While Botox and dermal fillers are certainly different products, they do have similar functions as well as a similar life span. Neither are used as a permanent solution to aging, so they are a great option if you are not sure if you want to jump into a facelift or other permanent plastic surgery.

They both have the big advantage of being non-invasive with few side effects and little downtime. The results are also not quite as visible as they would be for a facelift. Yet if you were hoping for a permanent solution, having a surgical procedure done might be the best option to achieve the result that you would like.

Bottom Line

Both Botox and dermal fillers are a great alternative to plastic surgery, but they are not in any way the same. They are made up of completely different products and while the results might be similar, the way they are achieved is not. Contact your doctor for more information on what is the right choice for you.

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