Difference between Botox and Fillers
Botox and wrinkle fillers are both cosmetic treatments that can be used to combat the signs of aging. They can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles on the skin, although they do not mimic each other. Botox and collagen fillers are both applied by injection, but the different ways in which they affect wrinkles means that they are more effective on different types of wrinkles.
Ingredients
Botox is produced from a toxin that is made by a type of bacteria, Clostridium botulinum. This is the same toxin that can cause botulism, a type of food poisoning. Although this toxin can be very dangerous when it is eaten, it can also be used in small doses for medical and cosmetic purposes.
Fillers can be composed of a number of different ingredients, although collagen is the most common. Collagen is an important component of the skin that helps to keep it smooth and elastic. Collagen production declines as part of the natural aging process, and this is one of the causes of age related wrinkles. Other types of fillers can be made of synthetic ingredients, hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxyappetite, or fat taken from elsewhere in the body.
Application
Botox is injected into the area that needs to be treated, using a thin needle. The Botox needs to be injected into the right muscles in order to achieve the right results and to avoid paralyzing any other muscles in the surrounding area. Most people feel a slight amount of pain, but it is usually mild. Treatment usually takes between ten and fifteen minutes, but the number of injections that are needed will depend on the extent of the wrinkling and the size of the area that needs to be treated. It is possible to return to your normal life immediately after receiving Botox, but the treated area should not be rubbed in case it causes the toxin to spread. In addition to its use in cosmetic procedures, Botox also has other medical uses. It can be used to prevent twitching eyelids, excessive sweating, chronic migraines, muscle spasms and muscle stiffness.
Fillers are usually given after an injection of a local anesthetic, which numbs the area where the treatment is being given. It is common for a skin test to be conducted before the filler treatment is given. The test involves an injection of the filler material, usually in the forearm. The test area will need to be watched over four weeks in order to make sure that there is no adverse reaction.
Effects
Botox works by preventing the muscles and nerves from functioning normally. It does this by preventing certain chemical signals from traveling between nerves and muscles. When Botox is injected into the face, it acts as a muscle relaxant that prevents the muscles from moving. This can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles in the area that has been treated by making the wrinkles above the relaxed muscles less apparent and by preventing muscle movements from causing wrinkles. The effects will be noticeable within days, but they will not be complete for about two weeks. The results can last for several months at a time. Botox treatment can be used on wrinkles in different parts of the face. It has been approved by the FDA for treatment of wrinkles between the brows, but it can also be used on lines in the forehead and on crows-feet. Botox cannot reduce the lines that are caused by sun damage. It is also rarely used on wrinkles around the mouth, because the muscles in this area need to be kept active in order to eat and talk. The effects of botox treatment can vary between individuals since different skin types and thicknesses, and different types of wrinkles, will react differently to the treatment. Possible side-effects of using Botox include pain, bruising, redness, itchiness, headache, nauseas, temporary weakness in the muscles and increased sweating. More severe side-effects are also possible, including allergic reactions, muscle weakness, and breathing difficulties. Botox should not be used when pregnant or breastfeeding.
Injectable wrinkle fillers work by plumping up the skin in order to smooth out wrinkles. The effects last for different times depending on the type of filler that has been used. Some treatments last longer than others. Collagen injections will usually need to be repeated between two and four times per year in order to keep the smoothing effects. Other types of fillers will also be broken down and absorbed into the body. Synthetic materials typically last longer than natural ones, but the risk of an allergic reaction is higher with synthetic materials. The longest lasting effects can be achieved using fat injections, but the length of time which these persist can vary. Common side-effects of fillers include redness, bruising and tenderness.
Similarities and Differences
- Botox and fillers are both injectable anti-wrinkle treatments that can help to make the skin look smoother and younger. Despite the similarities in their application and effects, these two treatments work in very different ways and use very different ingredients.
- Botox is a toxin that paralyzes the muscles in order to reduce wrinkles.
- Fillers are materials such as collagen that plumps up the skin and fills out wrinkles in order to make the skin smoother.
- Botox can help to get rid of wrinkles that appear when smiling, squinting or performing other expressions.
- Fillers can fill in many different types of wrinkles, including those that are still visible even when the face is at rest.
