Dermal Fillers vs. Botox: What You Need to Know
If you’re feeling less than thrilled with your facial appearance, you’re not alone—and there’s hope without going under the knife. Dermal fillers and Botox are two top picks for anyone looking to smooth out wrinkles and restore youthful volume, offering quick fixes with little to no downtime. They’re a fantastic way to tweak and refine, helping you look as vibrant and radiant on the outside as you feel on the inside, all without the commitment of surgery.
Botox
Botox is a well-known cosmetic injectable option. This product is injected in very small doses into the muscles of the face. It works to temporarily block nerve and muscle movement. This is ideal for smoothing out facial lines that are caused by muscle contractions.
It’s important to note that Botox is only a temporary treatment that will need to be performed multiple times a year to maintain your desired results. Some of the most popular Botox cosmetic products include Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin.
Dermal Fillers
On the other hand, dermal fillers are injected under the skin. They’re intended to provide fullness to the face. These injectables are a temporary solution, just like Botox. However, they do last longer.
There are currently three different dermal filler substances that are approved by the FDA. These include hyaluronic acid, Poly-L-lactic acid, and calcium hydroxylapatite. Some of the most popular names for dermal fillers are Radiesse, Sculptra, Restylane, and Juvederm.
Getting an Injectable: What to Expect
If you’re thinking about getting an injectable like dermal fillers or Botox, it’s important to understand what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. Before you undergo your procedure, you will have a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Cherup.
During this consultation, you’ll discuss the procedure and your goals for it. Before your procedure, you’ll likely be advised by your doctor to avoid taking any sort of painkillers or blood thinners. Additionally, you’ll want to keep the treatment area free of makeup and skin oil.
The injectable treatment will usually take between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area. The procedure will start with thoroughly cleansing the face to ensure that it remains infection-free. A small dose of lidocaine will be administered to the treatment area to help make the procedure as pain-free as possible. Using a syringe, the dermal filler or Botox will be injected into the treatment area.
After the treatment, you may develop one of the common side effects, such as swelling, minor bruising, temporary redness, or numbness of the treatment site. This will dissipate within a few hours after the treatment. It’s best to avoid any direct sunlight or strenuous physical activity for at least 48 hours following the treatment.
Botox vs. Dermal Filler: Which Is Best for You?
When deciding whether Botox or dermal fillers are best for you, you’ll need to consider what you’re trying to achieve.
Remember that Botox is all about freezing the muscles, while dermal fillers are about plumping up the area. In general, Botox is usually recommended when you’re trying to deal with wrinkles in the upper part of the face, such as around the forehead and the eyes. Dermal fillers, on the other hand, are typically meant to address areas in the lower face like the mouth, cheeks, and lips.
Consult with Dr. Cherup
Both dermal fillers and Botox are two very popular options that may be able to help smooth out your problems. If you’re searching for cosmetic injectables in Mt. Lebanon, PA, schedule a consultation with Dr. Cherup. She will be able to answer all your questions and help you set realistic expectations for each treatment.
