You have likely heard of botox and dermal fillers before, and they sometimes get used interchangeably by novices despite being completely different products with entirely different purposes! In this post, we aim to share the key differences between the two.
What botox and dermal fillers have in common
The main similarities between the two are that they are both cosmetic injectable treatments that are administered by a registered cosmetic nurse or doctor. They are affordable compared to surgical procedures and require little to no downtime at all. Both are non-permanent cosmetic solutions, and the body breaks down the product over several months to a year.
Botox and dermal fillers, what are they?
We know that botox and dermal fillers are cosmetic injectables, but what are they exactly?
Botox
Botox is a neurotoxic protein that is produced by purified bacteria. It essentially paralyses the muscles when injected into specific target muscles. This smooths out wrinkles and fine lines producing a rejuvenated appearance.
Dermal filler
There are several different types of dermal fillers however, the primary one is made from hyaluronic acid. This is a naturally occurring polysaccharide found in the skin. Dermal filler is a soft tissue filler that is injected at variable depths into the skin to restore volume and symmetry.
Botox can help with
Botox is used to treat the dynamic lines of the face, these are otherwise known as expression lines. It is often used on the upper portion of the face. Areas that are commonly treated with Botox include:
- Between the brows (frown lines)
- Fine lines and wrinkles on the forehead
- The areas around the outer eyes (crows feet)
Other areas that botox can be used:
- Perioral lines (smokers lines)
- Sagging brows
- Neck bands
- Corners of the mouth and marionette lines
- On the armpits to prevent excessive sweating
- Above the lip to give the upper lip a fuller appearance
- And many more areas
Potential side effects of Botox
Botox is considered a safe cosmetic treatment, and the effects are non-permanent however, there are some risks that everyone considering this treatment should be aware of to ensure you giving informed consent:
- Rashes, itchiness or hives
- Weakness or paralysis of surrounding muscles
- Drooping brow or eyelid
- Pain, redness, bruising, swelling, or bleeding
- Headache
- Nausea
- Blurry vision or troubles with vision
- Gallbladder issues
- Difficulty speaking, swallowing, breathing
- Dry mouth
- Flu-like symptoms
If you are concerned about the side effects of your botox treatment, ensure you seek advice from your cosmetic injector as soon as you can.
Dermal fillers can help with
Dermal fillers are often used to fill out deep lines (static lines) and to add volume to the face. Common areas that are treated with dermal filler include:
- The lips
- Nasolabial folds (smile lines)
- The chin
- The jaw
- Nose
- Cheeks
- Improve scarring
- Tear trough filler (under the eyes)
- Back of the hand
- And many more areas
Potential side effects of dermal filler
- Dermal fillers are also considered safe, although, like botox, they do have some possible risks, such as:
- Redness, pain, bruising and/or swelling
- Lumps felt underneath the skin
- Asymmetry or overcorrection
- Scarring or infection from skin damage
- This can lead to tissue death and scarring
- Skin itching or rash
- Vision problems and in serious cases, blindness
It is paramount that you only entrust a registered cosmetic injector or doctor that has extensive injecting experience to complete your injectable treatments. The team at Bella Donna Injectables and Skin are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognise any potential issues early on and how to treat them if they do arise.
What is the cost to get botox and/or dermal fillers?
Botox
The price can vary depending on how many units you need and how many areas you are treating, to give you an idea, our anti-wrinkle treatments here at Bella Donna Injectables and Skin start at $3.80 per unit. Your injector will be able to give you a price upon inspection of your desired treatment areas. Deeper wrinkles often require more units.
Dermal fillers
There are different types of fillers, and some are more expensive than others as they are thicker and generally last for longer. How many mls you have injected can also affect how much your dermal filler treatment costs. Our dermal filler prices start at $250.
How long do they last?
Botox
It can vary from person to person as everyone breaks down the product at different rates. On average, you can expect your botox to last anywhere from 3 to 9 months.
Dermal fillers
Like botox, dermal fillers last differently for everyone. On average dermal fillers can last anywhere from 6 months to two years.
To maintain your results, we recommend getting regular top-ups.
A recap of the key differences
To recap, the main differences are that botox and dermal fillers are different products used for different purposes.
Botox can effectively treat fine lines and wrinkles, whereas dermal filler is used to create harmony and balance of the face as well as plump out areas to produce a fuller and more youthful look.
Botox and dermal fillers are popular treatments and both can be used simultaneously to treat separate areas of concern.
They are minimally invasive and affordable, enabling people to find the treatment option that suits their specific needs and budget. The results are not permanent and this makes them appealing to people of all age groups. If you don’t like how botox or dermal fillers
make you look, you can always cease treatment or you can have your filler dissolved.
It is always a good idea to take the time to research cosmetic injectors before trusting them to perform cosmetic treatments on you.
If you have medical conditions or health concerns, speaking to your doctor before going ahead with cosmetic injectable treatments is advisable.
If you have always wanted to get cosmetic injectable treatments or you have some additional questions, feel free to reach out to your local Gold Coast Injectables. You will find registered cosmetic injectors that take a multi-faceted approach to deliver personalised treatment plans that are catered to the individual. Get in touch today!
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