Are you looking for a more refreshed and youthful facial appearance? If so, you want aesthetic services that will deliver the finest results in the easiest, most comfortable way. In this blog, you will learn the differences between BOTOX cosmetic injectables and other dermal fillers as treatments for unwanted smile lines.
What Is BOTOX?
BOTOX is a lab-purified type of botulinum toxin used to temporarily relax facial muscles and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. FDA-approved and used for over 20 years in cosmetic procedures, BOTOX blocks nerve signals that cause muscle contractions. Relaxing facial muscles improves the look of lines and wrinkles, resulting in smoother skin.
BOTOX treats crow’s feet, frown and smile lines, forehead wrinkles, lip lines, and more. The in-office BOTOX procedure only takes a few minutes and results last up to four months.
Skilled physicians, nurse practitioners, and estheticians can apply BOTOX cosmetic injectables safely and accurately. Also, it is important to know that BOTOX is not a dermal filler. Instead, it is a widely used, FDA-approved product that relaxes musculature. It helps people achieve various cosmetic expectations and also health-related goals, such as the management of excessive sweating, teeth grinding, overactive bladder, and migraines.
BOTOX does cause some limited side effects after treatment. These may include:
- Injection site bruising, redness, and itching
- Headache
- Upset stomach and flu-like discomforts
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are injectables made of hyaluronic acid or other substances that improve the volume and appearance of the skin. They fill in lines and wrinkles from beneath the surface of the skin, plumping them for a more youthful appearance. Depending on the type of filler used, results may last six months to two years.
Unlike BOTOX injectables, dermal fillers do not relax facial muscles. Rather, dermal fillers add volume to areas that have lost elasticity over time. They are commonly used to address moderate to severe lines and wrinkles and other aesthetic defects, such as:
- Hollows underneath the eyes
- Deep facial creases
- Scarring from acne, surgery, and other health-related circumstances
Dermal filler treatments need periodic maintenance and may require more than one session to achieve optimal results. It is important to consult with a qualified and experienced medical professional before undergoing any filler treatment. Each individual’s health needs, and cosmetic expectations are unique and must be reviewed carefully.
Dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and estheticians use several dermal fillers. Each type of filler has its own characteristics and benefits. Choices include hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, poly-L-lactic acid, and others.
Also, dermal fillers do cause certain side effects immediately after treatment. Examples are:
- Bruising
- Itching
- Rash
- Swelling
- Pain
- Inflammation
- Allergic reaction (rare)
Which Aesthetic Treatment is Right for My Personal Appearance?
When considering dermal fillers as an aesthetic treatment, be sure to understand which filler would best suit your personal appearance goals. Each type of filler is designed for specific areas of the face and affects the skin differently.
For instance, hyaluronic acid fillers are a popular choice for treating wrinkles and adding volume to the skin. They also help improve hydration and elasticity in the skin. These fillers are used around the mouth, nose, and cheeks.
Calcium hydroxylapatite fillers are another option. They can last longer than hyaluronic acid fillers. They work by stimulating collagen production, helping to create a refreshed appearance. This type of filler is often used to address deep wrinkles.
Skin health and esthetic experts report that dermal fillers work best on facial lines, which are called static wrinkles. These lines do not form because of the movement of facial muscles, such as when you frown or smile. Rather, they form due to aging and are very obvious when facial expressions are completely relaxed.
Because of the different therapeutic actions of BOTOX injectables, physicians and other providers recommend them to improve dynamic wrinkles. These lines–smile lines around the eyes and mouth and frown lines between the eyebrows–are more pronounced when the facial muscles move. Laugh, grimace, or squint, and dynamic wrinkles appear.
As such, BOTOX can be the better product for those lines which result from day to day, minute to minute motion of the face.
BOTOX For Smile Lines in The Woodlands, TX
At Family Weight & Wellness Clinic and Medi-Spa in The Woodlands, TX, weight loss expert Dr. Larry Richardson and his support staff are passionate about their patients’ health and overall well-being. That includes helping them optimize their personal appearance.
So, they do offer BOTOX injectables to qualified patients who wish to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles, such as smile lines. Through an individualized consultation at our clinic, you can learn if BOTOX is the right option for your health and aesthetic goals.
Call us to arrange your appointment at (281) 292-2300 or request a visit here. We look forward to meeting with you and answering all your questions.
