What is the difference between Botox and filler?
Botox and fillers are both commonly used cosmetic treatments, but they definitely work in different ways, and are used to treat totally different issues!
Botox is a neuromodulator made from a type of toxin called botulinum toxin. When this toxin is injected into the skin, it temporarily paralyzes, or weakens the muscle’s ability to contract. This can be used to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles and fine lines caused by muscle movement, such as frown lines between the eyebrows from straining your eyes to read or see something far away, and crow’s feet around the eyes due to smiling and other natural facial movements. It is also commonly used to treat migraines, excessive sweating, and even some muscle spasms. The effects of Botox typically last for 3 to 6 months, with its maximum effect seen after the first 14 days.
Fillers, on the other hand, are used to add volume to the face. They are made from a variety of materials, but most of the fillers used in our office are made of Hyaluronic Acid. Filler is injected into the skin to fill in wrinkles, lines, and hollow areas, such as the cheeks, lips, and under-eye area. The effects of fillers can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years depending on the type of filler used. At the Dermatology and Laser Group, we typically use the longer lasting fillers to give our patients the best, and longest lasting outcome!
Another difference between the two is that Botox is a treatment that works only on the muscle, it cannot not add volume to the skin like fillers do. By temporarily paralyzing or even just weakening the muscles it is injected into, we can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines caused by muscle movement in those areas. Fillers, on the other hand, add volume back to the face and can be used to minimize the appearance of deep wrinkles, lines, and hollow areas. Typically, areas that are treated using Botox, are not the same areas that can be treated with Filler, for example, filler cannot be injected into the forehead to smooth forehead wrinkles.
Something not many people know is that the effects of Botox take hold over the course of about 2 weeks, and patients will look no different leaving our office, while the volume added via filler can be seen immediately after treatment. Both treatments should settle in completely at the 2 week mark, as botox slowly takes hold of the muscles over this time, while Filler causes some swelling and bruising in the days following, which subside over these 2 weeks leaving you with a beautiful final result!
Both Botox and fillers are non-surgical procedures, but both Botox and Fillers are treatments that should be done in a doctor’s office, by a Physician who understands the risks, facial anatomy, and can minimize the serious potential risk associated with either procedure.
During the patient consultation, Dr. Akhavan, MD FAAD, and our staff at The Dermatology and Laser Group will consider a patient’s unique circumstances and recommend the best botox NYC and lip fillers NYC treatments that are appropriate.
