Blog

Botox or Fillers

There was once a time when getting injectables in the face meant bigger, bolder, and more dramatic features. Whether it was to get those super pouty lips or higher cheekbones, it was always for an appearance-altering reason. And even though the results were blatantly obvious, it was entirely a taboo topic. Fast forward to the present times with the craze of social media taking the world by storm, video conferences and Zoom meetings becoming the norm, and celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner dominating every fashion magazine known to humankind, fillers and injectables have become a normal part of cosmetic conversations.

Dealing with the onset of a global pandemic, the entire world was forced to stay cooped up in their houses and stare at their faces in Zoom meetings and video calls. Social media stories and Instagram posts replaced Facebook status and thus began the cultural phenomenon of scrutinizing our faces down to every single fine line.  Our face has become our brand now, and rightfully so! It’s the first thing someone sees when you enter the room, so making sure that it’s always in its best shape is a completely valid desire.

Weaving through the hustle-bustle of our crazy schedules, surviving on coffees to deal with the day, choking our way through soaring pollution, and shedding tears over the next big global catastrophe leaves very little time to focus on our skin. The race against the hands of the clock is never-ending, but even though one can’t turn back the time, Botox and other facial fillers provide a great solution to at least erase its effects from your skin.

However, in this big, wide world with plenty of facial filler brands and hundreds of new formulas hitting the market, it can become increasingly difficult for people to figure out which one they should choose. So, come along with us on this journey where we’ll help you find answers to your cosmetic concerns. Let’s start with finding out how Botox and fillers are different from each other.

What is Botox?

Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin that temporarily paralyzes the muscle that it is injected into which consequently reduces the wrinkling and pulling of the overlying skin. It is used to treat dynamic wrinkles, which are wrinkles and lines seen when one moves their face. Botox itself is a specific (and incredibly popular) brand of neurotoxin. It’s like calling it Band-Aid instead of adhesive bandages. There are three other brands of Botulinum toxin available in the market Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau.

What are fillers?

Fillers are injectable gels that add volume to the sunken areas of the skin. If you’re concerned about folds, crevices, creases, or wrinkles on your skin, different fillers of various consistency can be used to replace the volume, correct the deficit, and give a plumper look. There are two main types of fillers: hyaluronic acid (HA) and calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA).

• Hyaluronic Acid: These fillers come in a variety of consistencies and viscosities across several brands and can be used all over the face. Certain HA fillers like Belotero Balance Plus are softer and best suited for fine superficial lines to deliver an airbrushed-like effect to the skin. While others like Juvéderm Voluma provide greater lift to give sharp cheeks or a more projected chin. For people who wish to have a very natural look, Restylane Defyne can be a good choice as it moves with the skin.
• Calcium Hydroxyapatite: This is a heavier and less forgiving substance that is best injected deep within the skin to mimic bone and provide structural support. It is mainly used in the cheeks, jawline, and lower face.

And now comes the million-dollar question, which one is better for you?

Aging is a dynamic process that is different for every individual. Based on one’s genetics, one may wrinkly before they sag or ‘sink’ before they wrinkle. So, the right answer to this question would depend on your unique facial structure and what exactly you need to get your desired results.

While Botox is a great choice for hitting the ‘crease points’ where muscles contract, fillers are best for deep lines that are present even when facial muscles are not contracting. As a general rule of thumb, lines of expression need botulinum toxin while lines at rest need fillers.

Depending on your target area and type of concern, both Botox and Fillers can be viable solutions. So let’s figure out where you can use what.

• Forehead: When it comes to the forehead, it is recommended to start with Botox. Most people experience a noticeable improvement in their forehead lines with Botox, particularly if they start at a younger age before the lines become etched into the skin. However, there is one spot on the forehead where doctors don’t recommend getting Botox, and it’s the line right above the eyebrow.
  Botox may cause dreaded droopy eyebrows in this region. For this location, fillers that are placed deep into the frontalis muscle of the forehead are preferred. They last longer than Botox and give the muscle something to work against instead of restricting the action of the muscle through the nerves that control it.
• Eyes and crow’s feet: Both Botox and fillers work wonders to review the eye area depending on what you’re aiming to treat. Botox will smooth and prevent later crow’s feet, elevate the brow, and open up the eyes, while fillers can replace the lost volume in the tear trough and medial cheek which contribute to dark circles, hollowness, and a tired appearance.
• Cheeks: Getting a filler is the way to go for cheeks as it improves, lifts, and highlights the cheekbones to produce a greater effect of light, shadow, and contours. Fillers have excellent lifting capacity and give a natural result.
• Lips: When it comes to your mouth area, your choice depends on how quickly you hope to see results, how long you want them for, and what you are looking to achieve. Fillers are a great option to help smooth smile lines and to provide hydration, volume, and pout to the lips. Fillers will help you see immediate results which should last 8-12 months. Botox, on the other hand, is a good option for a subtle ‘lip flip’ where you relax the muscles around the mouth to turn the lip up slightly and to prevent lipstick from bleeding. When you use Botox on the lips, the effect is slower as the product gradually paralyzes portions of the muscle with time. The initial results start to take place 2-5 days after the injection and peak at two weeks. However, one is limited in the amount of Botox they can use in the lips as too much can impair the ability to chew properly, control drooling, or speak properly.

Conclusion

Botox and fillers come with their own risks and sets of advantages and they’re not exactly used for the same thing. When it comes to Botox, excess or incorrectly placed Botox may lead to a frozen forehead, excessively heavy eyelids, or an uneven smile. With fillers, overfilling an area is a great concern, as well as injecting into a blood vessel and hurting the overlying skin. One can help mitigate the risks involved with injectables by choosing a well-trained dermatologist who has a strong grasp of anatomy.

Here at Alive Wellness Clinics, our qualified team of experts recognizes the significance of Injectable science and art. To produce outstanding results, our talented practitioners blend their knowledge of medicine with a strong creative eye. Not only will they help you choose the best route of procedure based on your particular needs and facial features, but they’ll also help you achieve your aesthetic goals while maintaining your natural allure. Book your appointment today and experience the transformation for yourself.