Which one is right for me?
What’s the difference between Botox vs Filler is actually a very common question for people who are inexperienced with the aesthetic world.
Despite Botox and Fillers both being very popular cosmetic treatments that address signs of aging, they work in very different ways and we use them to target very different pieces of the aging process.
What is Botox?
Botox is a neurotoxin that comes from from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum (yes, the same bacterium that causes Botulism). But don’t worry, it’s been purified and there have been ZERO cases in history of someone getting Botulism from Botox.
It comes in powder form in a vial, which we reconstitute with saline prior to injection. How much saline we use is the “dilution”, which can vary based on provider preference for a specific effect.
There is also Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau, and Daxxify, which are all different brands with different manufacturing processes, but all still use the same botulinum toxin.
*Side note: I often hear people talk about previous treatments not being very affective and accuse the injector of “diluting the Botox”. Technically we all dilute Botox. What matters is whether you got the number of units they say they gave you. Your treatment may have been ineffective for a variety of reasons (including the injector), which I’ll go into in a future blog post.*
What is Filler?
Fillers are most often comprised of of Hyaluronic Acid (HA), a molecule found naturally in our own tissue that has been processed in a way that transforms it into a gel-substance that is then injected into the tissue.
Juvederm and Restylane are the most common examples of hyaluronic acid fillers. There are also calcium based fillers (Calcium Hydroxylapatite) (i.e. Radiesse), fillers made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) (i.e. Bellafill), and biostimulatory fillers made of Poly-L Lactic Acid (PLLA) (i.e. Sculptra).
Each of these types of fillers can serve a different purpose, but for the sake of this blog post, I’ll be referring only to HA fillers.
How does Botox work?
Botox blocks the release of transmitters that cause muscles to contract, which causes temporary relaxation of the muscle. This relaxation of the muscle helps soften Dynamic Lines, which are lines and wrinkles caused by repeated movement of the muscles.
Eventually, dynamic lines can become Static Lines (lines that are still there when the face is at rest) due to the natural aging process that results in collagen loss and loss of elasticity of the tissue. This is why regular treatments are the key to maintaining your results. If the muscles start moving again for too long, the static lines will return.
How does Filler work?
Fillers are injected into the tissue to add volume and fill in wrinkles, folds, or hollow areas to create a smoother, more youthful appearance.
As we age, we lose volume in the deep fat pads of our face, our skin due to collagen and elasticity loss, and even in the bones of our skull.
Different fillers can address each of these areas of volume loss. That is why it’s important to choose a provider who has expert knowledge of facial anatomy and the aging process, so that they can choose the proper filler to help solve your particular problems.
How long does Botox last?
Botox typically takes 3-4 days to start working and up to 2 weeks to reach it’s peak effect. These results last for about 8-10wks before the muscle gradually starts regaining movement (So no, your botox didn’t suddenly wear off overnight 3 days ago). Repeat treatment is usually recommended at 3-4 months as this is when most people have regained most of their movement.
It’s usually best to wait until your movement has almost fully returned to get another treatment. I know, you don’t want the lines, but there is evidence to suggest that getting retreated TOO often can contribute to becoming resistant to the toxin over time, which you DEFINITELY don’t want to happen.
Don’t worry! With consistent treatments, those dynamic lines won’t become static lines again, even if some movement returns!
And remember that with any neurotoxin brand, dose=duration. More units does mean longer duration, but some people feel that more units leaves them “too frozen”. This is especially for those who work in TV, film, or even psychology. In this case, they opt for being treated with a lower dose in order to retain some movement. This also means that their results may not last quite as long and will need to be retreated slightly more often (but usually only by a couple of weeks).
How long does Filler last?
Filler duration varies depending on the type of filler used. Heavier, more solid fillers, like Juvederm Voluma, have FDA approval to last up to 2 years. Softer fillers, like Juvederm Volbella, are only approved to last up to 1 year. There are many different factors that affect how long a filler lasts.
This doesn’t mean that you can just use a longer lasting filler anywhere, however. We used different fillers for different areas. Your provider should decide which ones are best to accomplish the task in a certain area for a particular concern.
The results of both Botox and Filler, however, can vary largely between individuals. In some people, it lasts longer, in some it doesn’t last as long. Some people are more sensitive to Botox and some are less sensitive to it. Everyone is different. So if your results aren’t lasting as long as they should, your injector should be able to help you troubleshoot.
Where do we use Botox?
Botox, we use most commonly in the forehead for horizontal forehead lines, frown lines, and crow’s feet.
However, we also use Botox in countless other areas. Other include the nose (for bunny lines, nasal flaring, or tip drooping), in the lips (to fix a gummy smile or as a lip flip to increase vertical show of the upper lip), in the chin to prevent dimpling, or in the neck to smooth out playstmal bands. The list could go on and on…and on.
Where do we use Filler?
Filler is for areas of volume loss both deep and superficial. Common areas are the cheeks, undereyes, nasolabial folds (smile lines), marionette lines (frown lines), and lips (my personal favorite). It’s also very popular for use in jawlines, temples, and even noses (aka liquid rhinoplasty)!
Conclusion
Botox and Filler are both incredibly diverse non-surgical treatments. However, they serve very different purposes, and a combination of BOTH is what provides comprehensive facial rejuvenation. The choice between Botox and filler, and what to use where, depends on your specific concerns and goals.
Click here to learn more about Botox and Dysport treatments at Beauty FX by Jamison.
Click here to learn more about filler treatments at Beauty FX by Jamison.
If you’re not sure where to start, give us a call or schedule a free consultation. We’ll help map out your treatment plan and help you decide between Botox and Filler or both!
