To Erase Wrinkles, Do You Pick BOTOX® or an Injectable Filler?

BOTOX® and injectable fillers are both popularly and effectively used to help banish wrinkles, those dreaded facial signs of aging. Although both treatments work on reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, they’re not the same thing, nor are they interchangeable. BOTOX® and an injectable filler may work particularly well together, depending on your individual needs, but, if you need to choose just one, here’s what you need to know.

How BOTOX® Combats Wrinkles

The main factor in your choice between BOTOX® or an injectable filler will be the area of your face you want to treat. BOTOX® is generally used for wrinkles and fine lines in the forehead and upper face to help combat lines caused by moving your face. Think those “11”s in between your eyebrows, or maybe the crow’s feet that have been adding years to your appearance. Although both procedures involve injectables, BOTOX® smooths dynamic wrinkles by limiting the movement of the target area, while an injectable filler will, as the name suggests, smooth certain types of wrinkles and fine lines by adding plumpness to the face.

BOTOX® or Injectable Filler?

If you’re mostly troubled by crow’s feet, lines between your eyebrows or a wrinkled forehead, BOTOX® could be the answer. The procedure works on dynamic wrinkles, which are caused by facial movements. On the other hand, an injectable filler is likely to be more suitable if you’re concerned about static wrinkles and fine lines, or those which aren’t affected by movement. Your qualified med spa professionals will normally have a range of injectable filler options, each designed to work towards a more youthful appearance through restoring lost volume. While BOTOX® is intended for the upper face, an injectable filler will tend to be used on the cheeks or lips.

When you consult with your med spa, your individual circumstances and requirements will be assessed, along with your eligibility for either BOTOX®, injectable filler or both.

What to Expect with BOTOX® or Injectable Fillers

As both BOTOX® and injectable fillers are non-surgical procedures, you can generally expect treatment to be quick and require little to no recovery time. In fact, you can even have BOTOX® or injectable filler done during your lunch break. Your med spa will be able to answer any specific questions you may have about the procedure but, as a guideline, a BOTOX® application takes just a few minutes, while an injectable filler like JUVÉDERM® can take around 15 to 30 minutes in most cases.

Am I a Suitable Candidate for BOTOX® or Injectable Fillers?

Although your individual eligibility must be assessed by qualified med spa professionals before BOTOX® or injectable filler, the procedures’ ideal candidates tend to be:

• In good general health
• Looking to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Seeking a temporary effect
• Fillers can also be used to plump lips or rejuvenate sunken cheeks

The severity and placement of your fine lines and wrinkles will play some part in deciding which procedure is a better option for you and you may find that a combination of BOTOX® and an injectable filler is recommended. The particular type of injectable filler your med spa professional uses will depend on how deep your wrinkles are and which other blemishes or imperfections you’re planning to treat.

In terms of visible results, many injectable fillers offer immediate plumping, where BOTOX® normally takes around 1 to 2 days to start developing, with maximum results visible around 30 days after treatment. Bear in mind that, with both options, more than one session may be required to achieve optimal results.