What is the Difference Between Botox and Filler?

Botox and filler are cosmetic treatments that are practiced with injections. They are minimal invasive so they do not contain surgical methods. However, this is the end of their similarities.

Botox contains purified bacteria that freezes the muscles. While doing so, botox helps to reduce lines and wrinkles that facial expressions cause. Filler treatment contains components that would fill the areas losing their volume because of aging. This is a common treatment for cheeks, lips and mouth area.

What is Botox?

Botox can help to fix dynamic wrinkles like wrinkles around eyes or horizontal lines on the forehead. Botox is the purified version of botulinum toxin that is made from bacteria. Large amount of them can be fatal. However, small amounts have been used safely for decades to fix wrinkles.

Botox works by blocking the nerve signals on the injected muscles. When the signals are stopped, effected muscles are temporarily paralyzed or frosted. This way wrinkles and lines can be removed. The treatments made with botox and botulinum toxin are sometimes called neuromodulators or neurotoxins.

Botox only works on wrinkles that are resulted from muscles movements. These are known as dynamic wrinkles and called ‘’mimic lines’. The most common dynamic wrinkles that botox can treat are wrinkles between eyebrows, horizontal lines on the forehead or lines around the eyes.

Botox would not work on saggings or wrinkles that swelling causes. These are also known as static wrinkles. Static wrinkles contains lines on cheeks, neck and chin area.

Botox is not a permanent treatment. Repetitive treatments are necessary.

What is Filler Treatment?

Dermal filler materials can help thin lines to gain their volumes. Also known as soft tissue fillers, dermal fillers are materials that are designed to add volume by injecting under the skin. Items that are used in dermal filler materials:

Calcium hydroxyapatite compound similar to minerals inside the bones

Hyaluronic acid that is found in some liquids and tissues in the body that gives volume to the skin

Polyacrylamide a transparent gel compatible with body

Polylactic acid that encourages body to produce more collagen

Each of them are designed to treat aging indicators or other cosmetic problems. Effect periods differ. Some filler materials can last 6 months whereas some keep their effects for 2 years or more.

Different dermal fillers are designed to treat different aging indicators. With the chosen filler material it is possible to;

Give volume to thin lips,

Fill the sagged areas on the face,

Give volume to under eye dark circles,

Soften static wrinkles especially on the lower part of the face.

Static wrinkles are results of collagen and elasticity deficiency in the skin.

To sum, here are the differences between botox and filler materials:

Botox: Freezes the wrinkles and lines that facial expressions cause. Its effect lasts 3-4 months.

Dermal Filler Materials: In order to fill the areas that lose their volume, hyaluronic acid and similar materials are used. The effect depends on the chosen material.

Choosing a dermatolog, plastic surgeon or cosmetic surgeon helps to practice safe and proper application. Patients should argue about doctor’s experiences and educations on botox and filler equipments before deciding. Contact us to get the know Zen Poliklinik team closely…