What’s the Difference Between Botox and Derma Fillers?

Both Botox and Derma fillers are popular minimally invasive treatments used to treat wrinkles and fine lines. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (source) revealed that over 4 million Americans receive anti-wrinkle treatments yearly. Although both these cosmetic treatments fall under a similar category, there is a difference between Botox and fillers.

Botox is a procedure where purified bacteria is injected into your face to freeze muscles, thus helping to minimize wrinkles and fine lines caused by laughing or facial expressions. On the other hand, Derma Fillers have ingredients that can add fullness to the areas in your face that have thinned due to aging.  

There is a lot to know about Botox and Derma Fillers, so let’s move on to more details. This blog will give you an idea about the, efficacy and side effects of both treatments.

What is Botox?

Botox comes from a special bacteria and is a safe, purified version of botulinum toxin. This toxin can be harmful in large amounts but don’t worry – when used in small, regulated doses; Botox is safe.

Here’s how Botox works: when injected into a specific area, it blocks nerve signals in the muscles, temporarily paralyzing that area. Because the muscles can’t move, wrinkles in that area are reduced or even disappear.

There are other treatments similar to Botox, also derived from botulinum toxin, known as neurotoxins and neuromodulators. Some popular ones include Xeomin (source) (incobotulinumtoxinA), Dysport (source) (abobotulinumtoxinA), and Jeuveau (source) (prabotulinumtoxinA-xv).

What are Derma Fillers?

The other name for Derma fillers is soft tissue fillers. These substances are injected below the skin surface to give you fuller cheeks or fullness wherever required. 

There are various substances used as fillers, and there is a list given below –

• Calcium Hydroxylapatite: This is a compound that’s like a mineral and is naturally present in bones.
• Hyaluronic Acid: This is found in certain body fluids and tissues and helps make the skin look plump.
• Polyalkylimide: This is a clear gel that works well with the body. s
• Polylactic Acid: This encourages the skin to produce more collagen, which is good for its health.
• Polymethyl-Methacrylate Microspheres (PMMA): This is a semi-permanent filler, giving a longer-lasting effect.

All these substances serve different purposes and are used to treat different cosmetic issues along with signs of aging. All these substances have different time frames of how long they take to show results and how long they last. The range can vary between 6 months to 2 years or more, depending on the substance used and the issue targeted.

Derma Fillers VS Botox

Let’s take a look at the differences between Botox and Derma fillers in terms of how effective they are and the risks and side effects.

Uses 

Botox

Botox can be used for both cosmetics and medical purposes. When botox is used for medical purposes it is directly injected into preferred facial muscles which relaxes the muscles. Thus helping improve the look of facial lines.

The use of Botox Cosmetic is approved by the FDA for adults aged 18 and older. It’s designed to address common concerns such as:

• Frown lines between the eyebrows
• Crow’s feet lines
• Forehead lines

Unlike Derma Fillers, Botox can also be used to manage various medical conditions like –

• Excessive sweating
• Crossed eyes
• Overactive bladder
• Chronic migraines
• Muscle spasticity (stiffness)

Derma Fillers

Dermal fillers are like tiny injections that go under your skin, not into your muscles. They work by adding volume to specific areas, giving you a smoother and fuller appearance.

These fillers are approved by the FDA for individuals aged 22 and older. They can be used to address various concerns, including:

• Moderate to severe wrinkles on your face.
• Acne scars found on your cheeks.
• Loss of facial fat, which can happen in people with HIV.
• Adding fullness to your lips, cheeks, chin, jawline, under-eyes, and even the backs of your hands.

Efficacy

Is Botox Effective? This is a common question that first-timers have. To answer that question, yes, botox is effective in most cases, and you will start to notice effects within a week of the procedure. If you have any medical conditions, you may not notice the full effects of Botox. Therefore, you must discuss all these with your healthcare provider in advance. You will not require any recovery time after the procedure. You will be able to go back to doing your daily activities. The effects of a Botox treatment will last for about 3 to 4 months, and if you want them to last longer, you can talk to your practitioner about additional treatments for the same.

Are Derma fillers effective? Derma fillers are not only very effective but their results last longer than those of Botox. But even with that, not all derma fillers will last for the same time period. The lasting effects will depend on the type of filler you choose. Just like Botox, you will need to get treated again once the results wear off.

Risk and Side Effects

Although both these procedures are completely safe, there are still risks associated with these procedures if you have pre-existing medical problems. Therefore, before getting Botox or fillers done, discuss the risks and side effects with your healthcare provider. Now, let’s take a look at the possible risks and side effects of both these procedures.

Botox 

As per the AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons), it’s advised to consider Botox only if you are in good health. This minimizes the likelihood of experiencing side effects. 

Potential side effects include

• Bruising at the injection site.
• Temporary drooping eyelids may take several weeks to resolve.
• Loss of facial fat, which can happen in people with HIV.
• Redness and irritation in the eyes.
• Headaches.

To lower the risk of these side effects, using eye drops before getting Botox injections is recommended. Additionally, it’s advisable to discontinue blood thinners a few days before the procedure to prevent bruising.

Botox is not recommended if

• You are pregnant or nursing.
• You have weak facial muscles.
• You are dealing with skin issues like thick skin or deep scars.
• You have multiple sclerosis or another neuromuscular disease.

Derma Fillers

Derma filler can be more risky and have more side effects in comparison to botox. The Moderate side effects of having derma fillers last only for two weeks. Severe side effects last longer. Severe side effects are a result of using unregulated, needle-free injection devices for this procedure. You should always visit a medical professional who has a proper license and uses FDA-approved fillers.  

Some possible side effects include:

• Allergic reactions
• Numbness
• Redness
• Scarring
• Infections
• Itching
• Sores
• Bruising

There might be long-term swelling on the face in severe situations. At times like this, ice packs are the best to heal temporary numbness and swelling. These side effects can be a result of allergies. Therefore, it is best to discuss your allergies with your medical practitioner. Or get your allergies tested if you haven’t already done so.

People who smoke must avoid derma fillers and Botox. These procedures deliver the best result with fewer side effects if you have good health.

Bottom Line

Keeping both derma fillers and botox side by side, it is definitely challenging to choose one. Derma Filler will give you longer-lasting results but is prone to more side effects. On the other hand, the results of botox last about 3 to 4 months with fewer side effects.

Plus, botox and derma fillers treat slightly different cosmetic problems and are used in different areas of the face. Also, in some cases, botox and derma fillers might be used together to achieve the best results.  

Are you looking for Botox in Yuba City/Lincoln/Rocklin, CA? Visit Haven Medspa Today

At Haven Medspa, we offer the best Botox & Dermal Fillers Services. Dr. Virpal Thiara and her expert team offer personalized, medically supervised cosmetic procedures to ensure maximum client satisfaction. With cutting-edge technology and a commitment to the highest treatment standards, we guarantee results that align with your aesthetic expectations.

Whether you’re curious about minimizing wrinkles or adding fullness to specific areas, our team is here to guide you. Contact us today to learn more about the wide range of quality, medically approved aesthetic services we offer in Yuba City/Lincoln/Rocklin, CA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is botox plastic surgery?

No, Botox is not plastic surgery. It’s a minimally invasive treatment that reduces wrinkles by temporarily relaxing muscles.

Is botox the same as fillers?

No, Botox and fillers are different. Botox freezes muscles, while fillers add fullness with various substances.

What is filler made of?

Fillers are made of substances like hyaluronic acid or calcium hydroxylapatite, injected under the skin surface.

Is Botox made from plastic?

No, Botox is not made from plastic. It’s derived from a safe, purified version of botulinum toxin.

Who should choose Botox and Fillers?

Anyone seeking to reduce wrinkles or add volume to their face should consider Botox or fillers respectively.