As you age, the process of developing fine lines and wrinkles is inevitable. Especially with the amount of sun exposure people face on a daily basis here in Phoenix, AZ. Many Arizonans find themselves with deep set wrinkles that are tough to get rid of.
The majority of people look to get rid of these wrinkles any way they can. They take preventative measures of limiting their sun exposure and as most Arizonans do, constantly apply sunscreen before braving the harsh sun. However, for people who already have wrinkles, methods of reversing the development of these lines is a top priority.
When it comes to getting rid of facial wrinkles, most people immediately think of Botox. While Botox is an effective treatment that has proven to yield positive results in this area, most forget to consider and look into alternative treatments and options such as dermal fillers.
These two wrinkle treatments are each effective in their own ways. Because they target two separate types of wrinkles, it is important to know which treatment to choose for your skin.
At DreamBody Medical Centers, we offer both of these wrinkle-reducing treatments and will help guide you through the process of choosing the right treatment for you by addressing both treatments in great detail, giving you all of the information needed to make an informed choice based on your specific wants and needs.
These topics include:
• What is Botox
• Botox procedure
• Botox results
• Differences between Botox and Fillers
• What are Fillers
What is Botox?
Botox is quickly becoming a common part of many middle-aged and elderly individual’s beauty routines. It is an extremely popular treatment that is noninvasive and only requires a short amount of time to execute. This particular form of treatment is meant to treat newly developed wrinkles that are only visible when your facial muscles are contracting.
So for example, when you squint, you may have crow’s feet, or when you frown you may see what are called “parenthesis wrinkles” that develop around your nose and mouth.
Botox takes the approach of trying to eliminate wrinkles that have recently developed as well as prevent new wrinkles from forming.
Procedure
The procedure of Botox is noninvasive and does not require any type of anesthetics. The process only takes about 30 to 60 minutes and consists of a series of small Botulinum toxin injections that are administered to different areas of your face.
This injection temporarily relaxes the muscles that are causing wrinkles. After repeated treatments, the muscles become more and more relaxed and cause the patient to break the habit of using those muscles so frequently. This process allows those muscles to be less tense and therefore prevents future wrinkles from developing in those areas.
Patients who have received Botox treatments report small levels of discomfort while the injections are taking place, however the pain does not linger.
Results
It usually takes 24 to 72 hours to see the results of your Botox injections, and the results last for approximately three to four months.
The amount of treatments an individual undergoes is dependent upon how severe the wrinkles are and how many treatments the patient believes are necessary before they have achieved their desired results.
To find out more about Botox injections, be sure to watch Dr. Budnick explain Botox in even greater detail.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers have many similarities to Botox treatments. Dermal fillers are noninvasive and only take about 30 to 60 minutes. The process involves injecting fillers into the areas of your face that are being affected by wrinkles. It usually takes multiple separate treatments of dermal fillers before maximum results are achieved.
To find out more in-depth information about what fillers are, read our article about how dermal fillers work.
How are Dermal Fillers Different from Botox?
Even though dermal fillers do share many similarities with Botox, there are a few key differences between these two wrinkle treatment methods.
Some of these differences include:
• The type of wrinkles that are being treated
• How the procedure is conducted
• Timeline to see results
• How long results last
Type of Wrinkles that are Treated
As mentioned earlier, the primary factor that differentiates Botox and dermal fillers is the fact that these two wrinkle treatments target two different types of wrinkles.
Botox treats newly formed wrinkles that are not always visible, meaning they are more visible when our face makes certain movements. However, dermal fillers treat wrinkles that are set in our skin and that can be seen at all times. Fillers treat the wrinkles that Botox is not capable of reversing.
Procedure
Even though both Botox and dermal fillers include noninvasive procedures that entail a series of injections, the job that these injections perform varies.
Where Botox injections temporarily relax the muscles that are causing your wrinkles, dermal fillers go in and literally fill in the lines and deep wrinkles. So in essence, Botox alters the muscles that cause wrinkles whereas fillers fill in the already set in lines.
Some anesthetics are required during the dermal fillers procedure, however it is done on an outpatient basis and does not include drastic recovery time.
Results
With Botox, you will see results within 1 to 3 days, and the results will last for a few months. Due to the differences in how the procedure is conducted, fillers will show results almost immediately and these results can last for 6 to 12 months.
Choosing the Right Treatment for Me
Understanding the differences between these two forms of wrinkle treatments is key when it comes to deciding which one you should choose for your skin. Considering that most people do not widely recognize dermal fillers as a treatment that can be used similarly to Botox, they tend to neglect the treatment all together.
Many times, Botox and fillers can be used in conjunction with one another, so there are occasions where individuals may receive both treatments to achieve optimal results.
The best way to find out which treatment is right for you is by consulting a professional. By setting up an initial consultation with your local med spa, you and your doctor can take a more in-depth look at your wrinkles and decide which treatment would provide you with the best results.
With DreamBody’s convenient location in Scottsdale, it is easier than ever to learn more about treating your wrinkles and how you can make your skin look younger than it really is.