What are the Differences Between Facial Fillers and BOTOX®?

When it comes to minimizing signs of aging, patients are often unsure about whether the best choice for them would be BOTOX^® or injectable fillers like JUVÉDERM^® VOLUMA^® XC. The Beverly Hills-based team at Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills—home of Dr. Derek Jones, who served as lead investigator of the FDA studies for VOLUMA^® in the United States—advises that fillers and BOTOX^® are both popular cosmetic treatments that are administered through injections with a needle and are used for the treatment of wrinkles and other cosmetic issues. They are also both minimally invasive procedures that don’t require incisions or sutures.

Despite having some similarities, however, these two injectables aren’t the same. The two types of treatments can be complimentary and may also be combined if you want to maximize anti-aging results, but they have different effects and are intended to address different cosmetic complaints.

One of the most frequently asked questions is, “Which is more effective: BOTOX^® or fillers?” The truth is that the effectiveness of each treatment depends on each patient’s specific goals. Continue reading to learn differences between the two treatments you should consider if you’re planning to have wrinkle injections. 

BOTOX^®

There are seemingly endless options designed to reverse or conceal signs of aging, including a variety of over-the-counter skin care products, as well as longer-lasting in-office treatments. The most popular such treatment in the country, at least in terms of numbers of treatments administered each year, is BOTOX^®. The active ingredients in BOTOX^® are derived from bacteria and work by temporarily relaxing certain facial muscles. The injectable blocks nerve signals to the muscles in key parts of the face so that the selected muscles are temporarily frozen and can’t form wrinkles on the surface. BOTOX^® is most suitable for areas where facial expressions cause frequent activity.

This treatment is effective for lines associated with muscle movement, known as dynamic wrinkles, which are caused by repetitive facial expressions. Relaxing away these lines gives the face a younger, smoother, and more refreshed look. Some examples of these wrinkles include “11s” or frown lines between the eyebrows, forehead wrinkles, and crow’s feet beside the eyes. The prescription medication targets the “crease points” in the face, which are areas where muscles contract. Botulinum toxin type A injections like BOTOX^® are sometimes referred to as neuromodulators or neurotoxins. The effects of BOTOX^® last for three to four months on average. 

JUVÉDERM^®

Facial fillers—such as those in the JUVÉDERM^® line—are gel-like products injected beneath the surface of the skin to add volume to creases and folds or improve facial contours. Many of the most popular fillers contain hyaluronic acid or similar substances and other ingredients designed to improve fullness in areas that have lost elasticity or become thinner because of aging. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring molecule that provides lubrication and cushioning for skin and other tissues in the body. 

As a general rule, “lines at rest” will be best corrected with fillers. The injectable gels are most effective for wrinkles caused by sagging or a loss of plumpness in the skin. These lines are known as static wrinkles and are always visible, even when the face isn’t moving. These types of wrinkles usually occur on the center and lower areas of the face, such as the cheeks and jowl areas, or on the neck. Fillers can also be used to volumize thin lips, fill in shallow or hollow areas of the face, and soften recessed scars in addition to reducing wrinkles. Depending on what type of hyaluronic acid filler is used and its thickness, facial fillers can last from anywhere between five months to two years. 

For more details about various injectable options, contact the Los Angeles area’s Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills. Call 310-246-0495 or fill out a contact form online to schedule a consultation if you want to discuss the benefits of temporary injectable treatments for reducing wrinkles and improving facial symmetry.