Non-surgical anti-aging procedures have become an incredibly popular solution for smoothing dynamic wrinkles, replacing lost facial volume, and restoring an overall more youthful-looking appearance. Not only are these procedures quick but they produce lasting results for a fraction of the price of a traditional facelift.
Despite the ever-growing popularity of injectables, many do not understand the difference between the most common types.
In general, there are two main types of commonly used injectables: dermal fillers and wrinkle relaxers.
What’s the Difference Between Fillers and Relaxers?
Wrinkle relaxers are drugs made from neurotoxins. Neurotoxins work by temporarily paralyzing facial muscles. Fillers, on the other hand, work to “fill” by volumizing and plumping the trouble areas being targeted. Put simply: one relaxes while the other fills, and both use different substances to do so.
Wrinkle Relaxers
The two most well-known types of wrinkle relaxers are Botox and Dysport.
As we mentioned, these treatments work to smooth out unwanted folds and wrinkles by relaxing the muscle movement. These types of injections are best for smoothing dynamic wrinkles such as crow’s feet, frown lines, forehead wrinkles, worry lines, and lines on the neck.
These types of treatments can typically last between 3 to 4 months but it is important to remember that every patient is unique and will experience different results and recovery times.
Facial Fillers
Our skin loses its elasticity and volume as we age. It’s a perfectly normal but unwanted side effect of aging. Fillers help combat these issues by replacing the volume loss. Fillers are also becoming more popular for the younger generations who are seeking more voluminous lips, to help mask tired bags under their eyes and to contour certain features of their face they find unflattering like noses and chins.
The most common of facial fillers are hyaluronic acid fillers. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in all humans and animals. Hyaluronic acid acts as a special filler to help smooth unwanted lines and wrinkles and support facial tissues that have lost volume.
Popular hyaluronic acid fillers include JUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ XC, JUVÉDERM® XC, JUVEDERM VOLBELLA®, RESTYLANE®, RESTYLANE SILK® and RESTYLANE LYFT. These types of fillers can be used to fill wrinkles and folds in the brow and face or add volume to cheeks, jaw lines, chins, lips, and hands.
The results of injectable fillers can last from to 9 to 24 months depending on the patient, the type of filler, and the area being treated.
Which is Better, Botox or Fillers?
The answer to this question depends on a number of different factors including areas of the face targeted, desired results, desired longevity, cost, and preference of your doctor. A combination of wrinkle relaxers and fillers is commonly used together to achieve desired results. At Artemedica, Dr. Lacombe and his team will use their years of experience to help you choose the best solution. If you have questions or would like to explore options, we invite you to schedule a complimentary consultation today.
Are They Safe?
Wrinkle relaxers and fillers are some of the safest non-surgical cosmetic procedures today. Both Botox and hyaluronic acid fillers are widely used by plastic surgeons throughout the United States. Of course, no procedure is without risk of complications such as an allergic reaction or unwanted formations, which is why you should always partner with an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Victor Lacombe. In fact, Dr. Lacombe has been so successful in using fillers that he has been selected as a national trainer for BOTOX® Cosmetic, JUVÉDERM XC, JUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ XC, JUVEDERM VOLBELLA®, Restylane®, Restylane Silk®, Restylane Lyft® and Sculptra® Aesthetic.
Proven Experience at Artemedica
Dr. Lacombe is the only Black Diamond Level Solo-Plastic Surgeon in Northern California for Allergan, representing the top 1% of practices in the Nation. Allergan is the makers of BOTOX®, JUVÉDERM XC, JUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ XC, JUVEDERM VOLBELLA®, LATISSE® and SkinMedica Skin Care Products.
As an Allergan National Trainer, he was chosen as one of the 15 clinical investigators in the United States by Allergan for the JUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ XC FDA clinical study in 2010. Since then, he has injected over 3,000 syringes of JUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ XC.
In addition, he is TOP 100 Physician with Galderma for Restylane®, Restylane Silk® and Restylane Lyft®. True to it’s name, Top 100 is given to the Top 100 aesthetic physicians in the nation and represents the highest level of distinction.
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