The secret to turning back the clock has yet to be discovered, but improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and boosting natural collagen production are a few ways to take control of aging skin – and maybe stop that clock from ticking.   

BOTOX and derma fillers are some of today’s most popular cosmetic surgery procedures and may help reduce wrinkles and replace tissue loss to leave skin looking young and beautiful. Both injections contain a number of skin-enhancing ingredients that can fill in fine lines and scars with only a few treatments. These are relatively painless procedures, and some can even be completed under 30 minutes.   

How do you choose between BOTOX and the different types of derma fillers?  Here’s what you need to know when you’re considering facial rejuvenation procedures and anti-aging treatments:  

Dermal Fillers – What Are the Options?  

You’ll find both temporary and permanent dermal fillers at your cosmetic surgeon’s office, and each type presents various benefits. Temporary fillers are absorbed by the body after a period of time and will require ongoing treatment sessions. Permanent fillers maintain their shape for extended periods of time, and will help you maintain those youthful looks for the long term. Deciding between the two types of treatments will depend on your budget, your long-term goals for skin enhancement, and whether you have any allergic reactions to each formula.  

Permanent fillers such as Artefill are collagen-based fillers that may help reduce laugh lines, crows feet, and other fine lines and wrinkles that accompany aging skin.  This injection not only fills the area with collagen, but also encourages collagen production; this means your skin may start to produce natural collagen on its own and this process can further enhance your appearance over time. Artefill is the first ever permanent filler approved by the FDA, but some people may experience adverse reactions to the ingredients.  

Temporary derma filler  options and ingredients include:  

• Collagen – made with bovine collagen
• Radiesse – made with calcium hydroxyl-apatite
• Hylaform – made with hyalurnoic acid
• Sculptra – made with poly-lactic acid
• Restylane – made with hyaluronic acid

Except for Sculptra, all of the above dermal fillers require only one treatment to achieve immediate results.

Still, each dermal filler is unique, and presents its own set of risks. A consultation with your cosmetic surgeon or physician will help you an informed decision that best suits your needs.  

How BOTOX Works

BOTOX was approved by the FDA in 2002, and offers another temporary solution for frown lines and small wrinkles between the brows. Each treatment takes approximately 10 minutes, and you will see noticeable results after just a few days. The BOTOX injection is applied to numbed muscles above the brow line, and the chemicals help to ‘freeze’ the muscles in place. According to The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, almost 2.75 million BOTOX procedures were performed in 2007, and BOTOX was the top non-surgical cosmetic procedure for both men and women.  

Choosing the Right Treatment

Choosing between BOTOX and dermal fillers will depend on your short-term and long term goals for skin enhancement.  BOTOX is designed solely for the forehead and brow area, while dermal fillers can be applied to different areas of the face. Sagging skin in the jaw line and cheeks, and wrinkles around the mouth and nose are best treated with dermal filler injections, while BOTOX can help manage deep furrows on the forehead.

Set up a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon in your area to learn more about BOTOX and dermal fillers available. After running a skin test, your doctor can guide you through the process and get you started on the right treatment plan that suits your needs.