Fillers…Botox…or both? Dr Jean and Alastair Carruthers and Dr Shannon Humphrey, in this VIP Wrinkle Treatment article> teach us the difference between Dermal Fillers and Botox, and how you can benefit from both treatments.
When it comes to the fight against fine lines there are seemingly endless options for giving your complexion a youthful boost. We’ve all heard of Botox thanks to the spate of celebrities who use it, but what about fillers, the other option for smooth, line-free skin? If you’re not sure what the difference is, or how to tell which option is best for you, we’re here to help.
To learn more we turned to some well-known experts in the field: Doctors Jean and Alastair Carruthers, known for discovering Botox for its cosmetic use today and their colleague, Dr. Shannon Humphrey.
Betting on Botox
One of the most familiar ways to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, Botox Cosmetic is a brand of neuromodulator (other brands include Dysport® and Xeomin®). “These treatments work by causing facial muscles to relax temporarily,” explains Dr. Alastair Carruthers. “Botox effectively treats frown lines, forehead lines, crow’s feet, lip lines, and many other wrinkles that result from facial expression.”
You’ve seen how Botox can take years off your favorite stars (and maybe even a few or your friends), but is it right for you? The advantages speak for themselves. “Botox is an excellent treatment for many types of patients,” says Dr. Jean Carruthers. Someone in their late 20s or early 30s might choose Botox to help prevent wrinkles and enhance their complexion. Older patients may opt for the treatment to soften existing lines and prevent new ones from forming, she explains. “In truth nearly every cosmetic patient can benefit from Botox as a component of their cosmetic treatment and maintenance plan.” Most importantly, Botox has an excellent established safety record and is the most popular cosmetic procedure worldwide.
Focus on fillers
Like Botox, fillers are an injectable treatment used to tackle some of the most frustrating signs of aging, but unlike Botox they don’t relax facial muscles, but instead work to fill creases and “plump” the skin. “Soft tissue fillers can be used to restore a semblance of youth through the replacement of lost tissue volume well as filling folds and wrinkles,” explains Dr. Humphrey. Whether you want Angelina Jolie’s luscious lips, or you’re hoping to rid you face of frown lines, there’s a filler that can help.
Botox and fillers: Can you get both?
While you might think that Botox and fillers can only be used separately, they’re actually better together (kind of like chocolate and peanut butter, or strawberries and champagne). Botox is often used in conjunction with fillers (and even lasers) to enhance the overall results of those treatments. “Botox and fillers are a perfect combination,” says Dr. Carruthers.
Botox and fillers perform differently, so a combination of those treatment works better than either treatment alone. Botox paralyzes the underlying facial muscle, while fillers plump the skin and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. “Together they provide the most soft and natural looking improvement in facial appearance and age related cosmetic concerns. In many cases soft tissue filler will last longer when used with Botox,” Dr. Carruthers explains. Talk to your doctor to determine which treatment path is right for you.
Between Botox and fillers you should have no trouble finding a skin smoothing solution that works for you. Wrinkles and fine lines don’t stand a chance against either, and if you really want a put stop to aging skin — use a combination of both.
