Have you found yourself asking, “Do I need Botox or fillers?” These cosmetic treatments have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people turning to them to help smooth out wrinkles and add volume to their facial features.
Before you schedule your appointment, it’s important to understand what these treatments entail and what to expect from the process. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at Botox and fillers, how they work, and what you should know before scheduling treatment.
What are some signs I might need Botox?
Have you noticed some forehead furrows or frown lines beginning to form? What about smile lines or crow’s feet around the eyes? If you’re noticing more pronounced dynamic lines, which are lines and wrinkles that are visible during facial expressions like squinting, smiling, or laughing, you might be ready to consider a Botox treatment.
What is Botox?
Botox is an injectable prescription medication used to smooth lines and wrinkles in the face. The active medication in Botox, onabotulinumtoxinA, is a neurotoxin that prevents the injected muscles from moving.
It is most commonly used to treat and soften crow’s feet, forehead lines, or glabellar lines, also known as the “11 lines,” between your eyebrows. Botox can also be used to treat other issues like muscle spasms in other parts of the body, migraines, or excessive sweating, called hyperhidrosis.
How does Botox work?
When the muscles of your face are allowed to move fully, your facial expressions create furrows and folds in your skin. Over time, repeated use of these muscles to make these expressions create more permanent lines and wrinkles in your forehead and around your eyes and mouth. Botox is a diluted neurotoxin that is injected to paralyze these muscles in your face that create lines and wrinkles.
Once the muscles absorb the Botox, their activity is reduced, significantly softening or even eliminating the lines and wrinkles on your face. It is important to know that the effects of Botox do not last forever, usually about 3 to 4 months.
Who are ideal candidates for Botox?
The great news is that Botox injections are suitable for most people. However, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider before getting Botox to make sure it’s safe for you. For example, you should not get Botox if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Another benefit of Botox is that it can be used as a preventative treatment for lines and wrinkles. So, if you start getting Botox before wrinkles have a chance to form, you may be able to prevent them altogether. Of course, this doesn’t mean that Botox is only for young people. It’s never too late to start getting Botox, even if you already have wrinkles. But starting early can be a great way to maintain a more youthful appearance over the long term.
Can men get Botox?
Yes, absolutely! Botox is not just for women. In fact, whether they are looking to treat fine lines and wrinkles or excessive sweating, more and more men are turning to Botox, often dubbed “Brotox,” to improve their appearance and confidence.
Do I need Botox, Dysport, or Jeuveau
Botox, Dysport, and Jeuveau are all slight variations of the botulinum toxin used to treat wrinkles and lines in the face. They are all classified as Type A botulinum toxins and are all designed to be injectable wrinkle treatments. Ultimately you should visit with your treatment specialist to find out which of these treatments will be best for you, but we’ll look at some minor differences.
Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA)
Botox is, without a doubt, the most widely known of the three and has been FDA approved for the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles for more than two decades.
Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA)
Dysport is another common neuromodulator used to treat wrinkles in the face. It is said that it spreads more readily once injected. This can make it a good candidate for larger treatment areas.
Jeuveau (prabotulinumtoxinA)
Jeuveau is the newest of the three treatments and was released with the promise of a more natural appearance.
Do I need Botox or dermal fillers?
Sometimes the lines and wrinkles in your face become deeper and more permanent. In other cases, the volume in our faces tends to decrease as we age. When these wrinkles become deep enough or the fullness of our facial features appears to decrease, Botox alone may not produce the desired results. Your provider will often recommend dermal filler injections to help smooth these more prominent wrinkles and restore plumpness.
What are dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers are a thicker gel-like substance injected under the skin to restore lost volume or rejuvenate facial features. Some of the common uses of dermal fillers include:
- Increasing the volume of lips
- Smoothing of lines in the lips
- Smoothing of the nasolabial folds
- Increasing volume under the eyes
- Lifting cheekbones.
Fillers can be produced with both natural and synthetic materials. The most common dermal fillers are made with hyaluronic acid, a naturally occuring material found in our skin. Other common materials include calcium hydroxylapatite, another natural compound found in bones, and Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a synthetic material. Each of these materials is biodegradable, which means the results will be temporary as your body will break down these substances over time.
Ideal candidates
Dermal fillers are a great option for those who are looking to add volume and contour to their face, or to fill in wrinkles and fine lines. Most people in good general health with realistic expectations can be suitable candidates for dermal fillers. Like Botox, dermal fillers are not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Look at filler before and after photos here.
Other uses for Botox
There are some common off-label uses for Botox, which means these specific uses lack FDA approval and should only be administered by a trained specialist. These uses often include correction of a gummy smile and lifting of the tip of the nose as well as a treatment for TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder), chronic migraines, and excessive sweating, called hyperhidrosis.
Gummy Smile:
For some, the top lip raises significantly when smiling revealing a large area of the gums above the front teeth. Botox can limit the amount of lift in the top lip, reducing the exposure of gums.
Say Goodbye to RBF:
The DAO (depressor anguli oris) muscles are located in the mouth area. For some these muscles will pull the corners of the mouth down giving the appearance of a constant frown or sadness. Over time, these muscles can also contribute vertical lines called marionette lines.
Concentrated Botox injections in the DAO muscles can relax and lift the corners of your mouth. A small lift in this area softens the appearance of the lower half of your face and creates a more youthful look.
TMJ and Chronic Migraines:
Botox can also be used to treat TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) and migraines. For TMJ disorders, Botox is injected into the masseters, muscles responsible for jaw movement, to reduce muscle tension and relieve pain. For migraines, Botox is injected into specific areas of the head and neck to help reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches.
Hyperhidrosis:
Botox is commonly used to treat the hands, feet, and underarms of those who suffer from excessive sweating, called hyperhidrosis. Botox is used to disrupt the signals that activate the sweat glands, leading to a significant reduction in sweating. The results of this treatment usually last between 6 and 12 months.
What to expect at your Botox appointment:
Consultation
At Boho Chic Clinique, your trained injection specialist will begin with a free consultation to determine whether you are an ideal candidate for injections and to discuss your goals. Based on this discussion and your desired treatment goals, the specialist will recommend the injectable that best meets your needs. Once the consultation is complete, you will receive a clear understanding of the amount of product that will be injected and the exact cost.
Treatment
After completing the consultation, we can immediately begin treatment by analyzing your facial expressions and making light marks with a pen to indicate precisely where we will be making the injections. Since we utilize thin, tiny needles most patients report feeling minimal to no discomfort. We can, however, provide topical anesthetic as necessary to ensure your comfort.
After a 10- to 15-minute injection process, you will be able to leave our office and continue your normal activities. However, we ask that you keep your head upright for 4 hours and avoid rubbing the treated area, as this can potentially manipulate the injected product and can produce an undesired result. Additionally, it’s important to protect your skin from the sun and wear sunscreen to help maintain your results.
Follow up
After assessing the treated area and ensuring the proper placement of the Botox, we will provide you with detailed instructions on caring for the treated area. We will also answer any questions you have about the treatment and give recommendations on the best ways to maintain your results. Finally, we encourage you to schedule any necessary follow-up appointments to allow us to perfect the results of your treatment and to ensure your continued satisfaction.
Stop asking “Do I need Botox?” and visit us for a consultation!
Botox and dermal fillers can provide excellent results for those seeking a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance. At Boho Chic Clinique in Effingham, our injection specialists prioritize your well being and satisfaction. We are here to hold your hand every step of the way and provide guidance whenever you may need it.
Don’t let wrinkles and fine lines hold you back from feeling confident in your own skin. Schedule a consultation today to see how we can help you achieve your aesthetic goals and reveal your inner glow. Ready to stop wondering, “Do I need Botox?”, schedule an appointment with us today!