By Kahlil Andrews MD
The injectable treatment industry has expanded considerably in recent years, with choices in both Botox treatments and dermal fillers to choose from. More choice can also mean more uncertainty in determining which treatment will meet your specific needs best. If you are unsure whether Botox or soft tissue fillers would be more effective in erasing your telltale lines, read on to learn the differences between the two anti-aging procedures.
Botox for Dynamic Wrinkles and Animation Lines
Botox primarily works on dynamic wrinkles and animation lines that appear when the muscles of the face contract making certain facial expressions. Botox relaxes those muscles, smoothing out the resulting wrinkles. Botox tends to work best on the following concerns:
• Frown lines (vertical lines between the eyebrows)
• Horizontal creases across the forehead
• Crow’s feet (small lines in the outer corner of the eye)
In addition to Botox, Dysport and now Xeomin have also been approved by the FDA for use as a wrinkle relaxers.
Soft tissue Fillers for Static Lines and Hollow Contours
Dermal fillers are used to reduce the appearance of static lines that appear around the mouth or under the eyes. They can also round out facial contours that have lost volume from the aging process. Common treatment areas for this purpose include the area just under the eye, the cheeks and the jawline. Dermal fillers work by adding volume to the tissues underlying the skin, which gives structure and smoothes and volumizes from the inside out.
Common options in soft tissue fillers include:
• Restylane – a hyaluronic acid-based filler commonly used for small lines around the mouth and eyes
• Juvederm – another filler containing hyaluronic acid that is often recommended for deeper creases, facial contouring and lip augmentation
• Radiesse– which is calcium hydroxylapatite, a filler that provides loner-lasting correction compared with the hyaluronic acids
• Fat grafting – a process in which fat harvested from the patient’s own body is used to add volume to the face. This can provide the longest-lasting results.
The best soft tissue filler will depend on the specific areas for correction, and on the preferences of the patient and doctor.
Which Lasts Longer?
Injectable treatments are not permanent anti-aging solutions, so they will need to be repeated periodically to maintain results. The potential exception to this rule is fat which can provide long-lasting results. Botox injections usually require treatment sessions every 3-4 months. However, patients who have these treatments regularly may find they can eventually go longer between treatment sessions without sacrificing results.
The duration of soft tissue fillers largely depends on the type of filler used and the specific treatment areas. Results may last anywhere from six months to two years. Radiesse tends to last longer than hyaluronic acid-based fillers. Fat grating has the potential to be permanent in certain situations.
Injectable treatments are an inexpensive way to shave years off your appearance. For more information about these procedures, contact Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery today.
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