If you are new to restorative and anti aging therapies you may find all the treatments and procedure options overwhelming. It may be difficult to determine which treatment is right for you. Botox and fillers are some of the most popular cosmetic procedures. They help to eliminate wrinkles that have developed over time but they do so in different ways.
What Is Botox? Botox is a drug created from a bacterium known as Clostridium botulinum. It may sound a little scary but this bacteria is used in very small doses to treat numerous cosmetic and other health conditions. Botox works by paralyzing, weakening muscles, or blocking nerves. The benefits from Botox last from three to twelve months after the procedure. Botox is used to treat some of the following conditions: ● Facial Wrinkles ● Severe Sweating ● Chronic Migraines ● Uncontrollable Blinking ● Overactive Bladder ● Severe Neck and Shoulder Contractions ● Misaligned Eyes .What
is Filler?
Cosmetic fillers are used to make the skin look fuller. As you age you lose fat and collagen in the face which makes wrinkles more visible. Fillers are injected in the skin to plump up areas of the face. Cosmetic fillers come in many different forms and have improved over the years to provide longer lasting results. Below are a few cosmetic fillers used today: ● Collagen- Collagen is the most popular filler product and comes in many natural and synthetic forms. ● Bovine Collagen- Bovine collagen comes from cows skin. This type of collagen provides effective results that are less expensive. Some people develop allergic reactions from bovine collagen so performing an allergy skin test is highly recommended. ● Human Collagen- Human collagen is grown from human cells and produces fewer allergic reactions than the bovine product. It is also more expensive than bovine collagen. ● Hyaluronic Acid- Our bodies naturally create hyaluronic acid so the risk of allergic reaction is low. This acid comes in various modified forms as some are manufactured to last longer than others. ● Fat Injections- This procedure removes fat from one area of the body to another to provide a fuller look. Allergic reactions are not a concern because the tissue is taken from your own body. ● Poly-L Lactic Acid- PLLA is also known as Sculptra fillers; they are used to activate the skin's own collagen. This form of filler is often used to help heal wounds and other health conditions. It is considered semi-permanent as results last for several months up to several years. ● Calcium Hydroxylapatite- This filler is also known as Radiesse and became FDA
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approved in 2006. The filler material is made up of ground minerals that are found which give it strength and density. They are injected into the skin to provide long lasting filler. Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA)- This semi-permanent filler is sometimes used to cement bones during bone surgery. It was approved by the FDA and used as a cosmetic filler. It does not break down like other biological materials so it provides longer lasting results.
How Do Botox and Filler Work Together? Botox and cosmetic filler work together to provide a longer lasting look. Because botox decreases or inhibits facial movement this will decrease the amount of time it takes your cosmetic fillers to dissipate. Both of these products require multiple applications overtime to achieve consistent results. This allows you to place these products in certain locations in the face to see what cominnations in which areas provide the best results.