It doesn’t matter how well you take care of your skin, some wrinkles are unavoidable. Even with proper skin care and staying out of the sun, many wrinkles stem from how the muscles in your face move. If you have an animated face with lots of eyebrow raises and facial expressions you are more susceptible to lines in your brow.
Wherever you’re experiencing wrinkles if you are looking for a way to improve the overall appearance of the lines you may want to consider either Botox® or other dermal fillers. However, when it comes to Botox vs dermal fillers, there are several specifics you’ll need to keep in mind. Here is what you need to know, including is Botox® a dermal filler, and what the difference is between Botox® and other injectables.
What Are Dermal Fillers
The word “dermal” is in reference to the skin. So whenever you see the word “dermal” or “derma” used the context is always regarding the skin (such as dermabrasion, derma roller, and so on). A dermal filler is an injectable that fills inside the skin to do anything from restoring lost suppleness within the skin that is a common side effect of aging, to fill in wrinkles, or to add size and fullness to different areas on the body, most notably the face.
There are different kinds of dermal fillers. These fillers are made up of different compounds, but each is generally designed to do the same thing: plump and fill in wrinkles. As there are different kinds of dermal fillers many doctors and skin care professionals will use specific fillers for different areas of the body. The kind of filler the skincare professional uses will also depend on whether you are allergic to any of the materials used within the fillers.
Types of Dermal Fillers
There is no shortage of the different kinds of dermal fillers available on the market. Some of the most known fillers include:
- Calcium Hydroxylapatite
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Polylactic Acid
Calcium hydroxylapatite is most commonly found in the brand Radiesse. This is also a naturally produced filler found in bones. It is used frequently in the correcting of frown lines (brow lines), to improve the appearance of cheekbones and in the event of seriously ill individuals suffering from diseases and viruses where certain areas of the face have started to waste away due to medications.
Several brand names use the hyaluronic acid compound, including Juvederm, Restylane, and several others. This is an injection used to improve the contour of the skin and reduce the visibility of scars (including acne scars). It may be used to fill in smile lines, frown lines between the eyebrows, improve the lip border, and help with scars ranging from burns to larger wound scars.
As for a polylactic acid dermal filler, Sculptra is the most common name brand that uses it. This is a synthetic dermal filler that helps force your body to increase its collagen production. It’s also one of the longest-used dermal filler (it’s been on the market for nearly 50 years now). This injectable helps with nasolabial folds and fill in laugh lines.
How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last
In most cases, dermal fillers will last anywhere from six to 12 months, but some can last even up to 18 months. There are some variables, including your own skin, the amount injected, and the exact dermal injectable used. Some semi-permanent injections will last longer, although there will be some reduction in the obtained tightness after six to 12 months.
What Is Botox®?
When look at Botox® vs dermal fillers, it is important to note that they are used in similar situations, Botox® is not considered a dermal filler. A dermal filler inserts a filler material, similar to a construction crew inserting additional cement into a crack to fill it and remove it from view. Botox®, on the other hand, does not do this. Botox® uses a purified toxin that the body naturally produces (although Botox® uses a synthetic mixture) to immobilize the muscles in a given area. This way, the muscles will relax and prevent the appearance of wrinkles, but it is not considered a filler.
Check out our article here that covers the 9 things to consider before getting Botox® for more information on this procedure!
How Long Does Botox® Last?
As Botox® is designed to relax the muscle tissue around the injection site instead of inserting a filler material into the tissue its timetable is a bit different from dermal fillers. A Botox® injection will often last anywhere between two to four months, maybe up to six months. Your initial injection may last less, as it is important to determine how well your body reacts to the injection (and to make sure you are not allergic to it).
Regardless of if you decide to go with a Botox® injection or a dermal filler, you need to rely only on skin care professionals to provide this service. Someone who isn’t properly trained in the use of Botox© or fillers can cause several skincare problems. So when it comes to fillers and injectables, always go with The Skin Center.
Are you still wondering how to get rid of wrinkles? Click the link to learn more!
Botox® vs Dermal Fillers: Set Up Your Skincare Consultation Today
It doesn’t matter if you’re considering preventative Botox® or another one of the dermal filler options when you want to improve the overall appearance of your skin you will want to seek out a consultation with the skincare professionals at The Skin Center by CPS.
Here you can ask all the questions you might have regarding which filler is right for you. This will depend on several variables, including the location of the wrinkles, allergies to certain injectable materials, and how well your body may have reacted to previous injections (just to name a few). Regardless, if you want to learn more about Botox® and other dermal fillers, now is the time to give The Skin Center by CPS a call.