Facial Fillers or BOTOX®: Which Option Is Better for Me?

Is it better to get BOTOX^® or fillers? At out New Jersey-based office, we often hear this question from patients who are considering injectable treatments for the first time. The answer is simple: It depends!

If you’re new to treatments like BOTOX^® and fillers, you may not be fully aware of the differences between the two. In short, these options are not the same. Although there are certainly some similarities between them—such as the fact that they are both administered via injections to treat wrinkles—there are some major differences in how they work, as well as the types of concerns they target.

Here’s a basic rundown of how the two types of treatments work and what they address: 

BOTOX^®

BOTOX^® is used to soften lines of expression. This injectable contains a protein called botulinum toxin, which is derived from a naturally occurring bacterium known as Clostridium botulinum. When it’s injected in small, diluted, and purified doses into facial muscles, BOTOX^® minimizes wrinkles by inhibiting contractions for several months. This treatment only works on expression wrinkles, also known as dynamic wrinkles, which develop due to repetitive facial expressions such as frowning, smiling, squinting, or raising the eyebrows. As these expressions happen, the skin becomes stretched over time, leading wrinkles to develop in certain areas. BOTOX^® is also referred to as a “neuromodulator” or “neurotoxin,” which is the generic name for the category of treatments that also includes other brands. Younger patients who have never had injectables before will often decide to get BOTOX^® first because the types of wrinkles it treats tend to occur at a younger age. The treatment can also help to prevent “early” dynamic wrinkles from becoming deeper and more dramatic, since it relaxes the muscles at fault.

Facial Fillers 

Facial fillers, also known as dermal fillers, gel-like substances that add volume, plumpness, or lift to certain areas as a way of reducing facial creases and restoring more youthful contours. They are designed for addressing hollows and static wrinkles, which are creases that develop due to loss of collagen, elastin, and fat, and remain visible in the skin at all times. Depending on the specific filler used, results can last for half a year up to two years.

Schedule a consultation or get more information about injectable treatments from the team at Burnett Plastic Surgery. Call us at 908.233.0200 or fill out a contact form to request an appointment.