Our face changes as we age – that’s just a fact of life. But there are certain types of wrinkles that can make you feel not just like you look older, but as if you look angry, tired, or simply not yourself. If you’re hoping to look as fresh, joyful, and youthful as you feel inside, treatments like Botox or fillers might be the perfect solution.
But how should you decide between Botox vs fillers? The two treatments are easy to confuse since they’re both injectable, but they actually work very differently.
Botox is a superstar when it comes to relaxing expression lines, while filler adds volume and plumpness. In this post, we’ll cover all of their key differences and help you figure out which one will be better for you.
What Is Botox?
Botox is an injectable treatment that blocks the signals that cause muscles to contract. Since a lot of our wrinkles are caused by repetitive facial movements, stopping the intensity of the movement actually softens and even totally erases the appearance of a wrinkle.
It’s made from the botulinum bacteria, but it’s highly diluted and processed so it’s very safe, especially when used as a cosmetic treatment. In fact, before it was approved as a cosmetic treatment, it was actually used in a broad range of medical scenarios, including to treat headaches and sweating.
What Is Dermal Filler?
Dermal filler is an injectable treatment that works by adding volume to specific areas of the face. Dermal fillers can be made from a lot of different materials, but today, hyaluronic acid is the key ingredient, thanks to its amazing safety profile.
As an anti-wrinkle injection, dermal fillers like Juvéderm plump up the skin from below. They come in a few different textures: Thin, spreadable gels help plump up and reduce fine lines, like the type you’d get around the mouth, while slightly thicker gels do a beautiful job of filling in heavy nasolabial folds or hollow undereyes.
Denser fillers can be used to add volume to the cheeks, which helps to reduce wrinkles in the lower half of the face by slightly pulling the skin upward. Fillers are also commonly used to add volume to the lips or to enhance and refine facial features as a minimally invasive alternative to surgery.
Botox vs Fillers: Key Factors
And now, here’s the head-to-head comparison of dermal fillers vs Botox based on the main factors you’ll want to know: Effects, longevity, costs, and safety!
Botox and Filler Effects
While both Botox and fillers can help reduce wrinkles, they do so in very different ways. Botox stops the muscle contraction that leads to wrinkles, while fillers physically volumize and plump them up. Because of that, Botox and fillers are recommended for different types of wrinkles:
- Botox is usually recommended for the upper half of the face. It’s perfect for etched forehead lines, frown lines between the brows, and crow’s feet around the eyes.
- Dermal fillers are best for wrinkles that don’t move with your face, like nasolabial folds, fine lines around the lips, and undereye wrinkles.
Botox usually takes a couple of weeks to show full results, while the effects of filler are almost immediate.
Filler and Botox Longevity
Filler lasts a lot longer than Botox, so it’s the clear winner when it comes to longevity. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers usually stay in place for a minimum of six months and up to two years. Botox, on the other hand, usually starts to fade within three months or so.
With both injectables, we find that with regular treatments, the longevity gets better and better. Over time, you’ll be able to book appointments less frequently while maintaining your youthful look!
Botox vs Filler Cost
You can expect to spend a few hundred dollars on a Botox treatment, while fillers often cost between one and two thousand dollars. The exact price depends on how much product you need injected and where. More Botox or filler will cost a little more, while a smaller amount will cost less.
While it may seem like filler is much pricier, it’s important to remember that it lasts a lot longer. In the long term, the price evens out, and the two treatments end up having a very comparable cost.
Safety Profile
Dermal fillers and Botox are both regulated by Health Canada and are also approved as safe and effective by the US FDA. Some of their expected side effects include mild soreness, redness, swelling, and bruising in the injection site. These types of side effects disappear within a few days of treatment.
That said, both treatments can be quite risky if they’re done by someone without the necessary education and experience. Incorrect injection techniques can impact nerves and blood vessels in a way that can lead to long-term consequences.
At Discovery Laser, we have the necessary experience and medical accreditation to keep our patients safe. We take precautions to ensure that you’re a good candidate for either treatment, and we know how to inject with precision, for fabulous results every time.
So Which Is Better, Dermal Fillers or Botox?
Botox and fillers work very differently, so trying to compare them is like comparing apples and oranges. Sure, they’re both highly effective anti-wrinkle treatments, but they work best on different types of wrinkles, and their mechanisms of action are nothing alike.
So which one will be better for you? It’s pretty simple. Botox is better if you have expression wrinkles in the upper half of the face, while fillers are perfect for filling in folds in the lower half or enhancing your overall features.
If you’re dealing with both kinds of concerns, you can even come in for both! In a single appointment, we can utilize both treatments to give your face total rejuvenation from top to bottom.
If you still have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re always happy to educate. Plus, as part of any appointment at Discovery Laser, we always conduct a thorough consultation where we can help you figure out exactly which treatment approach will be best for you and your skin.
