With the wide range of nonsurgical cosmetic treatments available today, it can be difficult to decide which option might be the best. Is Botox the best choice to smooth pesky wrinkles or are injectable fillers a better option?

When searching for the perfect injectable treatment to combat the visible signs of aging on the face, it is critical to understand the differences between Botox and dermal fillers, what they are formulated to address, and how they work. Whatever injectable is chosen, both types of treatments work to refresh skin and maintain a natural, youthful appearance.

BOTOX
Botox is used to treat mild to severe wrinkles, but what consumers may not realize is that it only works on a specific type: active or dynamic wrinkles. Most noticeable when the face is in motion, dynamic wrinkles are created over time by the constant natural movements of the face. Happy, sad, angry, or otherwise, these repetitive facial expressions use the same muscles every time and eventually result in lines that etch themselves deeper into the face every day. Botox works to relax the muscles that cause these lines, reducing the dynamic movement to help temporarily diminish their appearance. Used consistently, it can actually train the muscles to stay relaxed, softening noticeable wrinkles and helping to prevent new ones from forming.

Botox is formulated using a small amount of a highly purified protein derived from clostridium botulinum, a bacteria that affects nerve activity. Known as a neurotoxin, Botox works by blocking nerve activity in the muscles around the injection site, keeping the neurotransmitters responsible for movement from working or overworking properly. FDA approved for use as a cosmetic treatment in 2002, Botox is by far the most requested nonsurgical procedure in the United States, with over 5 million treatments performed every year.

DERMAL FILLERS
Facial fillers, which are also called dermal fillers, are also used to reduce or eliminate visible signs of aging. Like Botox, facial fillers are an injectable treatment; however, the similarities end there. Fillers work in a completely different way to treat completely different kinds of wrinkles.

Facial fillers are primarily designed to treat static wrinkles and lines that, unlike dynamic wrinkles, are visible even when the face is relaxed. Examples of static wrinkles include marionette lines, nasolabial lines, and smile lines; fillers work by filling in those lines, as well as by plumping up areas of the face that may have lost their youthful volume. There are several types of fillers made from a variety of substances, from hyaluronic acid (a molecule found naturally in the human body) to synthetic ingredients. Depending on the client’s needs and goals for treatment, some fillers are formulated to stimulate the growth of collagen in skin. Collagen is a vital ingredient necessary to keep skin looking supple and smooth, so by boosting the growth of healthy new collagen, youthful results will last longer.

Whether an individual is seeing early signs of aging in their face or has wrinkles and lines that have worsened over time, Botox, dermal fillers, or a combination of both can refresh and rejuvenate the face.

Donna April Serure, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist with Laserderm Dermatology and Cosmetic Laser Surgery in Smithtown, New York. Serure specializes in adult, adolescent, and pediatric dermatology. As a specialist in the field of dermatology, Serure dianoses and treats all types of skin conditions including, but not limited to, skin cancer, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, acne, warts, and dysplastic nevi. laserderm.com