Botox or Dermal Fillers? Which Option Should You Consider?

Fine lines and wrinkles around your lips, eyes, and cheeks can make you look old before your time. And many treatments exist to erase those signs of age. But which option is best: Botox® or dermal fillers? It’s a puzzle that Dr. Mick Singh can help you solve.

What causes lines and wrinkles?

We’re talking about the fine lines and deeper creases and folds that are part of the aging process.

Time, of course, causes skin changes. Specifically, top wrinkle causes include:

• Age, which causes skin to become less elastic
• Sun damage, which breaks down skin connective tissues
• Smoking, which accelerates the aging process by, perhaps, decreasing blood flow to skin
• Repeated facial expressions, which causes ruts in the skin

Body parts that receive the most sun exposure are most likely to develop wrinkles — your face, neck, and decolletage, as well as the backs of your hands and tops of your arms.

What can you do about wrinkles?

Prevention is the first line of defense against wrinkles. Limit sun exposure, and always wear sunscreen. Don’t smoke. Use moisturizers. (And if you really hate wrinkles, don’t smile or frown.)

Once wrinkles develop, however, Botox and dermal fillers are popular wrinkle erasers.

What’s Botox?

Botox is the brand name for the same neurotoxin in botulism that temporarily paralyzes muscles. Injections through a fine needle block nerve signals that make muscles contract. The less a muscle contracts, the less likely wrinkles will form or deepen.

Botox is a great treatment for wrinkles caused by facial expressions — deep forehead lines, the “11” between the eyes, crow’s feet around the eyes, and frown lines.

Dr. Singh injects Botox into specific muscles. The treatment takes a few minutes and is generally well-tolerated. Botox takes 3-7 days to work fully and lasts 4-6 months. When the Botox wears off, lines and wrinkles return, although they may be less severe.

Temporary bruising is the most common side effect of Botox injections. Headaches and eyelid drooping are rare and temporary results of the treatment.

Although Botox is safe for most people who want to soften or prevent deep wrinkling, it’s not right for everyone. Patients who have a neurological disease or are pregnant or breastfeeding should stay away from Botox.

Also, Botox won’t help wrinkles primarily caused by sun damage, sagging, or loss of face plumpness.

What are dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers are substances uniquely formulated to add volume and fullness when injected beneath the skin’s surface.

Different fillers accomplish different wrinkle-erasing tasks and last for differing amounts of time. Hyaluronic acid, for instance, adds plumpness and lasts 6-12 months. Calcium hydroxylapatite, typically used for deeper lines and wrinkles, lasts about 12 months. Polymethylmethacrylate fillers, microspheres containing collagen, are permanent and used mostly to fill nasolabial folds.

Dr. Singh injects a filler beneath your skin. Many fillers contain lidocaine, a mild anesthetic that helps reduce pain during injections, and after treatment. Typical and temporary side effects include bruising and swelling. You can return to normal activities after treatment, but you should refrain from exercising or strenuous activity for a day or two.

Considering Botox or fillers? Dr. Singh can steer you toward the treatment that’s right for your skin and aesthetic goals. Call Elysium SurgiSpa or schedule online today.