Botox® vs. Fillers for Wrinkle Reduction
Cosmetic injectables have made it easier than ever to combat wrinkles and maintain a youthful look. Though dermal fillers and Botox® are both frequently used to minimize wrinkles, they cannot be used interchangeably. Instead, the best injectable wrinkle reduction treatment for you will largely depend on the type of wrinkles you want to treat.
What to Know about Facial Wrinkles
Facial wrinkles can be classified as either lines of expression or lines at rest. Lines of expression, or dynamic wrinkles, are creases that form due to facial muscle contractions.
For example, when we frown, vertical furrows, or frown lines, appear between our eyebrows. Crow’s feet, smile lines, bunny lines, and horizontal forehead creases are also examples of expression lines.
In contrast, lines at rest are wrinkles that are visible regardless of facial muscle contractions. These lines tend to form as the skin loses volume and elasticity as a result of the natural aging process.
How Does Botox® Minimize Wrinkles?
Neuromodulators like Botox® and Dysport® can be injected into overactive facial muscles to temporarily prevent them from contracting. This makes neuromodulators ideal for the treatment of expression lines.
The active ingredient in Botox® and Dysport® is botulinum toxin type A. This substance stops treated muscles from receiving messages from the nervous system that would otherwise stimulate contractions. In other words, Botox® and Dysport® hold the targeted muscles in a relaxed state, so they can’t create visible wrinkles in the overlying skin.
In addition to being an excellent option for smoothing away existing expression lines, neuromodulators also stop dynamic wrinkles from progressing into deeper, more noticeable creases. This is an added benefit for patients who already have significant expression lines and don’t want them to get worse.
Younger patients are also turning to Botox® and Dysport® in greater numbers as a preventative treatment. Patients who opt for low-dose neuromodulator injections, or “Baby Botox®,” can stop dynamic wrinkles before they form.
How Do Dermal Fillers Reduce Wrinkles?
Dermal fillers are often used to treat wrinkles that form around the eyes, mouth, and cheeks due to the way the aging process affects the composition of the skin.
One key reason our skin begins to look less youthful as we get older is a decline in our natural production of hyaluronic acid (HA). HA works to hold moisture within our dermal tissue, helping to give it shape and structure. While properly hydrated skin looks plump and healthy, a lack of HA can give the skin a deflated, thinner appearance.
HA fillers like Juvéderm® and Restylane® are designed to mitigate these effects. HA filler injections work to replace lost volume, filling out creases and folds to restore a smoother skin surface and refine facial contours. HA fillers also improve moisture retention, promoting firmer, fuller-looking skin.
Learn More about Non-Surgical Wrinkle Reduction Treatments
If you are considering injectable wrinkle reduction treatments in Chicago, contact the office of quadruple board-certified surgeon Dr. John D. Rachel to schedule a consultation. Dr. Rachel is renowned for his medical and aesthetic expertise, which he draws from to ensure safe, precise cosmetic injectable treatments that deliver natural-looking results.