Botox® Versus Dermal Fillers: What's the Best Aesthetic Treatment for Me?

They say age is just a number. And as your birthdays are flying by, it can seem hard to keep up with the changes those numbers bring. But who says you have to look your age if you don’t want to?

With all the injectable treatments on the market, people now are able to look dramatically younger. But between Botox® and dermal fillers, sometimes it can be hard to know where to start.

At Nexclin Medicine, with three locations in Georgia, we’re here to tell you everything you need to know about injectables so you can decide which is right for you.

Erase wrinkles with Botox

Once only used by celebrities, Botox is the most common minimally invasive treatment with 7.7 million treatments performed in 2019. Unlike creams and other anti-aging products, Botox provides a noticeably younger appearance that lasts for 3-4 months at a time.

Background

Botox is derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which exists in many natural environments like soil, lakes, and forests. In large amounts, Botox is lethal since it's a neurotoxic substance. However, when used in small doses and placed in the hands of a skilled injector, Botox is very safe. 

How it works

Dynamic wrinkles are caused by repeated facial muscle contractions. After years of laughing and frowning, you’ve probably noticed fine lines and wrinkles etched into your skin. 

As a neurotoxin, Botox works by temporarily intercepting the signals that tell wrinkle-causing muscles to contract. Naima Cheema, MD uses a series of injections to temporarily relax these muscles while leaving the surrounding muscles free to move. 

You’ll notice a natural but younger-looking face that can still express a wide range of emotions. One of the best parts of a Botox treatment is that there’s no downtime associated with the procedure. Many of our patients squeeze their appointments into their lunch break before heading back to work.

Who’s it for?

If you’re unhappy with wrinkles and are in good health, chances are you’re a good candidate for Botox. The injectable treatment can be used on adults over the age of 18 who want to smooth away wrinkles. 

Botox can be used to address:

• Crow’s feet
• Bunny lines
• Smoker lines
• Forehead wrinkles
• Glabellar lines
• Lipstick lines

The results of Botox can be seen in a few days, with the full results revealed around two weeks.

Restore facial volume with fillers

As the years turn, you might notice your face looking a bit more tired and hollowed out than it used to. That’s because as you get older, your face starts to lose collagen, fat, and bone mass, leaving a more sunken-in appearance. With over 2.7 million treatments in 2019, dermal fillers are a common cosmetic treatment that works to fill in hollows and deep wrinkles for a more supple-looking face.

What it does

Dermal fillers come in many different kinds, but most work in similar ways. Composed of a gel-like substance, fillers are injected underneath your skin to restore volume, smooth creases, and enhance your facial contours.  

Here are some of the common ways dermal fillers are used:

• Smooth lines around the nose and mouth
• Add volume to sunken cheeks and under eyes
• Smooth out chin creases
• Erase vertical lip lines
• Plump your lips
• Correct facial symmetry

One of the best parts of dermal fillers is their long-lasting results. Depending on the type of filler and where it’s administered, they last on average from six months to one year.

Who’s it for?

If you’re unhappy with an overall lack of volume in your face, dermal fillers may be a good option for you. Fillers can also be used to smooth static wrinkles — wrinkles caused by volume loss that are present when your face is at rest. Fillers are also widely used to help plump lips and give you higher cheekbones. 

Use together for best results

Most patients find they have several problems they’d like to address. Dr. Cheema often suggests using Botox and fillers simultaneously to get the most dramatic results. Using the two together can take up to a decade off your appearance while also extending the results of both treatments. 

Discover the age-rewinding world of injectables today. Schedule your consultation by calling 770-558-2873, or book online.