What are they, Uses, which is right for you?
When it comes to dermal fillers and neurotoxins, some people will ask the question, which one is better? This is a loaded question with no one right answer! These two common outpatient aesthetic treatments cannot be compared as apples to apples. They are vastly different in composition, treatment areas, uses, etc. Here I will break down what each are, most widely known brands of each and what each are best used for.
What are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal filler injections are a type of nonsurgical cosmetic procedure. Dermal fillers plump up wrinkles and scars, smooth lines and restore volume in your face. People choose to get dermal fillers to enhance their facial features or gain a more youthful appearance. This elective treatment usually takes less than half an hour, and recovery time is minimal. Results are seen right away and last months to years depending on the type of filler and the location.
Why are dermal fillers used to treat?
As you age, your body starts to lose collagen. Collagen is an important substance that exists all over your body, including in your skin, muscles, bones and connective tissues. Decreased amounts of collagen in your skin causes skin laxity (loose) and loss of volume. Skin becomes thinner, loses its elasticity and starts to sag.
You may choose to get dermal fillers to:
- Add volume to sagging skin.
- Make your facial features more symmetrical.
- Plump up lips and cheeks.
- Smooth wrinkles and creases in your face.
- Add volume to scars to decrease or eliminate the appearance
Types of Dermal Fillers:
Calcium hydroxylapatite
Brand names include: Radiesse
Calcium hydroxylapatite is found naturally in human bones and is a mineral-like compound. It’s often used to:
- Moderate-to-severe creases such as nasolabial folds, marionette lines and frown lines
- Enhance fullness of the cheeks and other facial contours
- Improve volume in areas of facial weight loss
Calcium hydroxylapatite is biosynthetically produced, which means that no animals or animal products are used. This lowers your risk of an allergic reaction and no skin testing is required. This type of dermal filler is known to produce a very natural result, doesn’t migrate and side effects are rare. This dermal filler was first used in dentistry and reconstructive surgery and has a long safety record.
Hyaluronic acid
Brand names include: Juvederm, Belotero
Hyaluronic acid injections can be used to improve the skin’s contour and reduce depressions in the skin due to scars, injury or lines. You can see potentially dramatic improvements for:
- Acne scars
- Cheek depressions
- Crow’s feet at the corner of your eyes
- Deep smile lines that run from the side of the nose to corners of the mouth (also known as nasolabial furrows)
- Frown lines between the eyebrows
- Marionette lines at the corners of the mouth
- Redefining lip border
- Scars including burns, acne and those caused by wounds
- Smoker’s lines; vertical lines on the mouth
- Some facial scars
- Worry lines that run across your forehead
Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in your body. High concentrations are found in soft connective tissues and in the fluid surrounding your eyes. It’s also in some cartilage and joint fluids, as well as skin tissue. It is extracted and reformulated and now has become one of the most popular kinds of injectable fillers. If the term sounds familiar, it’s because the same substance is often injected into the aching joints of people with arthritis to ease pain and provide extra cushioning.
What are Neurotoxins?
Botulinum toxin type A is an injectable neurotoxin, better known under brand names such as Botox Cosmetic®, Dysport®, Xeomin®, Jeuveau®, and Daxxify®. Neurotoxin treatments are the most popular single cosmetic procedure in the U.S. and are mainly used to smooth dynamic wrinkles, or those wrinkles that form as a result of facial movements like frowning, squinting, smiling, and other expressions we tend to make day after day. Treatment works by blocking nerve impulses to the muscles, causing them to relax. As a result, your expressions soften and the dynamic wrinkles are greatly reduced.
What are neurotoxins used to treat?
Botox-type injectables can help an adult patient of any age improve his or her appearance, not only imparting a more youthful look, but also alleviating an overly concerned look, helping you look better refreshed or even more pleasant. The most commonly treated areas are those where muscle activity influences facial features, such as the following:
- Glabellar lines (a.k.a. “elevens” or frown lines)
- Wrinkles around the eyes, such as crow’s feet
- Forehead creases
- Corners of the mouth
- A “cobblestoned” appearance to the chin
What else can neurotoxins help with?
While botulinum toxin type A is most commonly used to treat facial wrinkles, cosmetic surgeons can also use neurotoxins to address other aesthetic concerns that are associated with nerve and muscle activity:
- Reduce excessive sweating. Botulinum type A injections can be used to interrupt the nerve impulses that activate the sweat glands, helping alleviate embarrassment from excessive sweating on the armpits, hands or feet.
- Soften vertical neck bands. If you are bothered by prominent vertical bands on your neck, botulinum toxins can be used to relax the responsible muscles and give your neck a smoother, softer appearance.
Sempre Day & Medical Spa can help you determine the perfect treatment plan to meet your aesthetics goals and get you comfortable in your skin again! A consultation with one of our Nurse Practioners to discuss your concerns and map out the perfect combination of treatments is your first step to becoming a happier you. Contact us today to start your journey at Sempre Day & Medical Spa!