BOTOX® vs. Dermal Fillers: Which One Should You Get?

Over the past couple of decades, injectables have become incredibly popular anti-aging treatments. Either BOTOX® vs. dermal fillers, when administered by a trained professional, represent safe and effective ways to reduce wrinkles and fine lines, restoring you to a more youthful facial appearance. What’s more, injectables do not require anesthesia, they do not involve surgical incisions, and they can usually be administered in mere minutes.

Before you seek treatment for BOTOX® or dermal fillers, it’s worth noting that there are different types of injectables and your Injector will be able to guide you in which path is right for you and your goals, e.g. BOTOX® vs. dermal fillers. When you join us for an initial consultation at CAMI Med Spa, we’ll be happy to let you know which is better suited for your aesthetic needs. In the meantime, here’s an overview.

BOTOX® or Dermal Fillers: Which is Right for You?

Let’s begin with a summary of each injectable treatment method.

BOTOX®

BOTOX® works by relaxing the underlying facial muscles that cause deep wrinkles and fine lines. Specifically, BOTOX® works by blocking the nerve signals that tell these dynamic wrinkles to contract. As such, BOTOX® can provide you with a smoother, more youthful facial appearance. It’s an especially popular treatment for use along the forehead, around the eyes, and around the lips.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers work a little bit differently. Rather than relaxing the muscles, they actually add volume, “filling in” areas where your skin looks hollow, sunken, or wrinkled. As such, fillers can be a good option not only for concealing lines and creases, but also for plumping up the cheeks or the lips. We often recommend dermal fillers for treating laugh lines and lip lines. Dermal fillers can even be used to augment the chin and jawline, or to restore volume lost from the hands.

One thing that’s important to keep in mind as you consider getting BOTOX® or dermal fillers is that there are various brands of dermal fillers available. They differ in their qualities and application and sometimes one is more appropriate for a certain area than another, so it’s important to talk with a skilled injector to determine the type of filler best suited for your needs.

BOTOX® vs. Dermal Fillers: What You Should Know

Again, the best way to determine which injectable is right for you is by scheduling a consultation with a professional injector. Here at Carolina Age Management Institute, we’d be happy to discuss your cosmetic goals and to recommend the treatment we think is best.

As a rule of thumb, BOTOX® is the better option when you’re looking to smooth over the dynamic wrinkles on the upper areas of the face that are caused by muscle movement; think smile lines, frown lines, and surprise lines. By contrast, fillers may be the better option when you’re looking to address deeper, more static lines and creases, or to add volume to areas such as the chin, cheeks, or lips.

Incidentally, you don’t have to choose between getting BOTOX® vs. dermal fillers. For some patients, we actually recommend a combination of the two treatments. By using the two injectables in harmony, we can fine-tune your results, allowing you to gain the radiant appearance you’ve been hoping for. It’s important to note results also depend on skin quality and the best way to maintain results is with regular facials and other dermatology services. 

Choosing BOTOX® vs. Dermal Fillers: Additional Considerations

As you think about the type of treatment you’d like to pursue, here are a few additional guidelines to keep in mind:

• Before you join us for a BOTOX® or dermal fillers consultation, make sure you spend some time thinking about the specific issues you’d like to address. Come ready to talk to your injector about the areas of your face where you most hope to see improvement.
• Keep in mind that, whether you get BOTOX® or dermal fillers, the results will not be permanent. Depending on the treatment you choose, results may last anywhere from six to 18 months. However, ongoing “maintenance” injections can help you extend your anti-aging results.
• Regardless of which treatment you get, it may be a few days before you see the full results. Some improvement may be evident immediately, but you should also anticipate some minor swelling, redness, or even bruising. These side effects resolve on their own within a few days.
• Depending on the area you’re hoping to treat, you may need to consider multiple treatments, spaced out over a few weeks.

Learn More About Non-Surgical Treatments 

Ultimately, there are plenty of ways to reverse the effects of aging, without the need for surgical intervention. BOTOX® and dermal fillers represent two of the most advantageous options, and we’d love to tell you more about them. To schedule a consultation with CAMI Med Spa for BOTOX® in Charlotte and Huntersville, reach out to our office in Huntersville, NC today.