Are Fillers Better Than Botox?

Perich Aesthetics, Tampa Bay FL

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Perich Aesthetics, Tampa Bay FL 〰️

Dermal Fillers and Botox are well known but often interchanged. Although the aim for both is anti-aging primarily, they do have their differences and therefore place. Which is better? Well that can depend. And quite frankly, you may find that what are you are looking to accomplish could have a different solution altogether.

What are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are a leading non-invasive, anti-aging solution to instantly smooth visible lines, wrinkles, and nasolabial folds. They primarily work as a filler to diminish the signs of aging, but also they can be used to enhance cheeks, add volume to the chin, enhance lips, lift cupid's bow, define the jawline, or correct the nose (non-surgical rhinoplasty).

Dermal fillers work within minutes by boosting the skin's supply of hyaluronic acid. These injectables restore lost volume to the skin, smooth lines and soften creases to safely produce a more defined, more supple, and younger-looking face. Dermal fillers are best for:

• nasolabial folds and deeper creases

• wrinkles, fine lines, marionette lines, and smoker’s lines around the lips

• under eye area

• cheek enhancement

• mid face lift

• non-surgical rhinoplasty

• chin enhancement

• jawline contouring

• face contouring

Dermal fillers rely on a naturally occurring compound called hyaluronic acid (HA), which is found in the body, to restore a youthful look. HA helps maintain skin hydration, fullness and elasticity. With age, people generally produce less HA, collagen and elastin, which all contribute to keeping skin plump and hydrated.

There are actually a few different brands that we prefer to use for dermal fillers depending on what is trying to be accomplished. The products generally vary in the consistency of the gels, ranging from thin to thick. Our doctors and practitioners use products with thin consistencies, such as Restylane Silk® and Belotero®, to target the under-eye area or fine lines around the lips. Meanwhile, we use products with thicker gels, such as Juvederm Voluma®, for cheek augmentation.

We use the following brands in our rejuvenation practice: Mention Juvederm, Restylane, Versa, Radiesse

Belotero®, Juvederm® Ultra, Ultra Plus, Voluma, Vobella and Vollure; Radiesse®, Restylane ® Silk, Lyft, Refyne, Defyne and Restylane-R®; and Revenesse Versa®. We will be happy to go over your concerns and options to find you the best solution and match.

What is Botox?

Botox® is an FDA-approved procedures for treating the appearance of aging. Doctors and nurse practitioners inject Botox to diminish visible lines and wrinkles caused by muscle movement and tension in the face and neck. Botox is considered a neuromodulator and has been around for years now.

Neuromodulator are a leading non-invasive, anti-aging solution to instantly smooth visible lines, wrinkles, and nasolabial folds. Botox® temporarily treats lines and wrinkles at the source, relaxing the underlying muscles of the face to create a smooth, refreshed finish. Expression lines are softened and smoothed, awakening your face and taking years off of your appearance.

Neuromdulators are botulinum toxin injections that relax wrinkles. It is a non surgical treatment that basically is the technical term and BOTOX® is the brand name. Other products, like Jeuveau® and Xeomin®, also use neuromdulators to stop nerve signals from telling muscles to contract.

The formulations contain purified proteins that immobilize muscles by blocking the release of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. As a result, the targeted facial muscles relax, reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles created by the contraction or tensing of specific facial and neck muscles. The targeted areas of skin look smoother and more relaxed.

BOTOX® neuromodulators are created from a refined form of Botulinum toxin A. It temporarily treats lines and wrinkles at the source, relaxing the underlying muscles of the face to create a smooth, refreshed finish. Botox essentially weakens the muscle it is injected into. This then causes the muscle to not be able to function as highly thus preventing the wrinkles from forming in the first place or smoothing out the area if there are wrinkles and fine lines already. It is easy for you or your doctor to start to see potential problem areas forming and determine where a small amount of Botox could help prevent those wrinkles from forming in the first place.

Most commonly, Botox is used to ease wrinkles and fine lines in the face. Botox® treatments are non-surgical therapies that can remedy a variety of conditions ranging from cosmetic concerns such as crow’s feet and forehead furrows to health ailments such as migraines, jaw pain and muscle spasms.

So, Are Fillers Better Than Botox?

Even though it is common to use the two terms as interchangeable, you can see how Botox differs from Dermal Fillers. Though both can be an anti-aging treatment, the ingredients that make them up have different effects on the body. Which is better for you will depend on what you are trying to accomplish, your age, and the severity of the correction needed.

Dr. Tanya Perich explains it like this:

“I really don’t like to use filler on anybody until they’re in their 50s, younger than that I prefer to manage them with Botox, Morpheus, and Sculptra. [Morpheus and Sculptra are a non injectable treatment to address aging and stimulate collagen production].

Reason being is that someone coming in their 50s has significant volume loss and needs that volume replaced, which filler is great for. But if your goal is anti-aging, quite frankly you don’t need filler in earlier years, there are better ways to manage it since we now know that silicon for cyst in the face for up to 12 years and in that time period it can migrate.

However there is a role for filler in younger people that want an augmentation. Meaning that if you have an under developed jaw for example, then it would be a good thing to do to do filler to augment the jaw.

Then the only other area that you have to use filler no matter what age is the lips. It is the best and only option for the most natural looking results. Well there is one alternative- silicone implants and they look terrible and lots of people end up wanting them removed later anyways.

So that’s really the only times I like to use filler with young people. Otherwise, we pride ourselves on holding off on filler in young people”

The bottom line is, it is extremely important to have a consultation with an experienced doctor who has used a variety of products and treatments to help you figure out your best solution. We know it can be overwhelming and confusing. Let us help you feel great in your skin by calling us today to set up your consultation at 727-424-6440. You’ll feel better right away knowing you are working with the best who has your best in mind!