Botox and Dermal Fillers – What are the Differences?

Cosmetic injectables are widely used to enhance youthful beauty and eliminate those telltale signs of aging. Products, such as Botox and dermal fillers are commonly used to restore the glow of good health and youth to skin. Before deciding on one or the other, learn about the differences between dermal fillers and Botox.

How Do Dermal Fillers Work?

A number of dermal fillers are available today. They include brands such as Juvederm, Perlane, Belotero, and Restylane, which all include hyaluronic acid as one of the primary ingredients.

Hyaluronic acid injections plump the skin in this area making the face appear more youthful. These injections are also used to plump thinning lips, providing a much prettier pout, and to fill in hollow areas beneath the eyes.

The skin has many fatty deposits that provide volume to your skin. Over time, they begin to shift and, in some cases, disappear. When the fatty deposits in the face shift, lines and cracks appear on the face. The primary location of these shifts are in the lower face, particularly in the area between the nose and lips and surrounding the mouth, which is where dermal fillers are especially beneficial.

Dermal fillers generally provide that youthful glow between four and twelve months.

How Does Botox Work?

Botox is a toxin that weakens the muscles just below the skin blocking nerve impulses so they cannot contract. Since it is the contracting of muscles that causes deep lines and wrinkles in the areas along the forehead and around the brows, injections in these areas creates a smoother appearance, even when making facial expressions.

While Botox is most commonly used to treat the forehead, it is also highly effective for treating wrinkles around the eyes as well as in the neck. It’s also important to note that there are some women who use Botox as a preventative tool to prevent wrinkles, creases, and other signs of aging from repeated facial expressions. These treatments generally last three months.

At the Bel-Red Center for Aesthetic Surgery in Bellevue, we offer a state of the art facility and access to the latest technology for laser treatments, Bellevue Botox, and dermal fillers. Our highly skilled staff, along with a triple-board certified cosmetic and facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Jan Zemplenyi, MD, is well trained in the art of pampering our guests. Call or contact us online to learn more about all the services we offer to help your beauty shine through.