Botox® or Dermal Fillers? Which Is the Right Choice for You?

Fine lines and wrinkles are an inevitable part of getting older, often showing the signs of a life well-lived. But for many of us, signs of aging cause dismay.

Thankfully, plenty of cosmetic products on the market treat fine lines and wrinkles. Some you can buy over the counter, but two popular and potent options available from a licensed professional are Botox® and dermal fillers. 

These cosmetic procedures involve injections that can rejuvenate your appearance, but the similarities end there. Botox and dermal fillers target different signs of aging and work in different ways. 

At Enrich Health and Wellness in Boerne, Texas, Maria Cole, APRN, FNP-C, and our team offer Botox and dermal fillers. In this blog, we discuss how these injections differ and how to determine which is right for you. 

Understanding Botox

Botox contains a purified form of the toxin botulinum obtained from bacteria. In large amounts, it can be life-threatening. However, in carefully calculated dosages, it can minimize fine lines and wrinkles.

The injection works by paralyzing muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles or wrinkles caused by muscle contraction. If these muscles can’t contract, new wrinkles can’t form, and the old ones slowly fade. 

Understanding dermal fillers

Dermal fillers contain hyaluronic acid or similar substances that smooth out wrinkles and add fullness to areas that have lost volume due to aging. Fillers are placed deep into your skin and closely mimic the consistency of your natural skin tissue. 

These injections work well for static wrinkles, which appear even when your face is relaxed. Fillers can also address sunken or shallow areas, such as the lips or cheekbones.

So which one is right for you?

Botox and dermal fillers can give you a soft, youthful appearance, but they contain different ingredients and treat different areas of your face.

When to choose Botox

Botox only works on dynamic wrinkles. So, wrinkles caused by facial expressions, such as frown lines between your eyes, crow’s feet, or forehead lines, are best treated with Botox. To keep these wrinkles at bay, you need repeat injections every 3-4 months.

When to choose dermal fillers

Dermal fillers are the better choice for sunken or sagging skin. They can correct much larger and more severe wrinkles, reduce the appearance of scarring, and add fullness to any area of your face. 

Next steps

If you’re still unsure which cosmetic injectable can best address your fine lines and wrinkles, our team can sit down with you and discuss how to best help meet your goals — whether it’s with Botox, dermal fillers, or a combination of the two.

To schedule an appointment, call our office or book online.