When figuring out which is better - fillers or Botox, it is important to take into account a number of aspects: the speed at which the result appears (after Botox it is visible in a month, and after fillers - in 2-3 weeks), the cost of the procedure (and it will differ significantly depending on the chosen product based on hyaluronic acid), effectiveness depends on the specific wishes of the client, the duration of the result (after Botox up to six months, after fillers - from six months to two years).
It is also worth remembering that both products can be used simultaneously. Read more in our article about which is better – fillers or Botox, and in which case which procedure to choose.
Botulinum toxins: composition, application features
Botox, the collective name for muscle relaxants, is considered the most popular product used in injection cosmetology. The substance is produced by isolating the botulism virus type A from bacteria.
The fraction is a protein substance that undergoes purification, stabilization, and drying. Albumin or gelatin sodium chloride is added to the resulting hemagglutinin.
Ready-made botulinum toxin is sold in the form of a lyophilisate (dry powder). To use the substance requires dissolution with sodium chloride in a certain proportion.
Botox is used to relax muscles. When the drug is administered, a local blocking of nerve impulses occurs, which makes it possible to immobilize a specific muscle. This allows you to provide motor rest to a separate area. In cosmetology, this property is used to temporarily eliminate wrinkles. Botox disrupts facial activity, which is recognized as the main cause of skin wrinkles.
Botox reliably eliminates wrinkles for 3-12 months. Modern drugs allow you to achieve a natural result that does not turn your face into a mask. The duration of retention of the effect depends on the dosage of the substance used, lifestyle, and characteristics of the body. Motor activity returns to the muscles gradually.
Note! The formation of new wrinkles occurs as facial expressions increase. In some cases (by controlling facial movements), the formation of wrinkles in certain places can be delayed or avoided.
Choosing Botox as a means of injection correction is recommended for those who have bright facial expressions. At the same time, complex age-related changes are invisible, and wrinkles are actively forming, disrupting aesthetic appeal.
Reviews
Galina, 42 years old, Perm
“I work as a cosmetologist. I usually advise girls to do Botox first if their wrinkles are pronounced. Then we evaluate the result and, if necessary, add fillers. They are usually needed in the nasolabial folds, since the toxin is not very effective in this area. I personally like the result of combining techniques.”
Victoria, 37 years old, Tomsk
“I’ve been injecting fillers for several years. I always had it done by the same cosmetologist. Then she said that fillers would soon stop working so well - after all, my age was approaching. I decided to have Botox. Compared to previous procedures, I did not like the feel of it. Face constrained. Mobility is maintained, but it is no longer possible to fully express emotions, as if someone were holding.
Fillers: the benefits of injections
Fillers are the second most popular option for injectable appearance corrector. The most popular base substance: hyaluronic acid of non-animal origin. The animal version is highly allergenic. The composition of the filler can also be based on:
- collagen;
- poly-L-lactic acid;
- calcium hydroxyapatite;
- polymers.
It is preferable to use substances from biodegradable materials. This will give a more predictable result with minimal possibility of complications.
Fillers are used to correct appearance, changes in which are associated with deformation of contours and lack of tissue volume. The option allows:
- regulate the fullness of certain areas;
- shape, tighten an oval;
- improve skin quality;
- stimulate internal rejuvenation;
- minimize wrinkles.
Filler is used to fill specified areas. This helps push wrinkles out of the depths, lift sagging areas, eliminate “bruises” and sunken areas. The filler is designed to last for 6–18 months. Gradually, the donor volume is absorbed, and the problems return.
It is recommended to choose filler as a means of injection correction for those who have dry, sagging skin, gravitational ptosis, lack of tissue volume, and wrinkles formed by tissue sagging.
Recovery period
There is no rehabilitation period after Botox injections and contouring. The usual lifestyle is complemented by compliance with simple rules that are necessary for uniform distribution of drugs and consolidation of the effect. The injection of dermal fillers may be accompanied by swelling, discomfort, burning and itching.
Such symptoms are not dangerous and are explained by the influx of intercellular fluid to the injured tissues. After application of the toxin, skin manifestations are rarely diagnosed.
In case of dissatisfaction with the result or negative consequences, the substance should be removed from the body. To do this, the following measures are taken:
- hyaluronic acid - injection of hyaluronidase, lidase, physiotherapy with these agents;
- for calcium hydroxyapatite, lactic acid, collagen – hardware treatment;
- Botox - compensatory injections, massage, physiotherapeutic methods, taking hormones and antibiotics.
Differences between options
Both options: filler and Botox are approved by cosmetologists and are actively used by patients. The methods are aimed at aesthetic correction of appearance, carried out by injection.
Both options, when prescribed correctly, with proper selection of the drug and dosage, are optimally accepted by the body and do not produce significant side effects or complications.
Many people are interested in what the difference is between injection products if the purposes of use are similar. A significant difference between filler and Botox lies in the principle of action of the drugs. Botulinum toxin is aimed at blocking muscles and relaxing facial expressions. The effect is temporary and does not have a positive effect on tissue.
Filler, when using preparations based on hyaluronic acid, gives not only a mechanical effect. The condition of the skin improves and internal activity is activated. This is how filler gels differ from botulinum toxins.
Although the best possible result is also temporary.
What is Botox?
Botulinum toxin type A is used in cosmetology to get rid of facial wrinkles. The most common drug in botulinum therapy is Botox. It is injected into the facial muscles and locally blocks nerve impulses going to the facial muscles. Limiting facial expressions leads to smoothing out small wrinkles on the skin.
Preparations based on botulinum toxin are used not only for rejuvenation, but also for medicinal purposes. Products with high diffusion ability are used to combat hyperhidrosis. Botulinum therapy is beneficial for muscle hypertonicity and spasms.
Botox begins to work within a week after the procedure, the effect lasts up to 6-8 months. During the procedure, anesthesia is usually not performed - the drug is painlessly injected with very thin needles.
Secrets of choice
The right choice - Botox or filler - can only be made by a cosmetologist after a face-to-face consultation with the patient. The doctor takes into account the current condition and individual characteristics. Cosmetologists often recommend the use of one or another technique depending on the location of the problem. Most doctors are confident that it is better to remove eyebrow wrinkles with Botox, and correct nasolabial lines with filler. But crow's feet can be easily eliminated by any of the methods.
Cosmetologists often focus on the condition of the skin. For owners of dry, flabby skin, they prefer to recommend the use of filler or preliminary mesotherapy and biorevitalization. It is difficult to bring an aged face into an aesthetic appearance without an integrated approach. In this case, doctors combine Botox and filler, using the drugs in different areas, performing procedures at intervals of time.
Attention! Cosmetologists are not inclined to advise young patients to start with injection techniques. Peels, massages, well-organized regular care can delay the onset of age.
Why do the procedures suggested by the doctor sometimes differ from those that the patient is in the mood for?
Cosmetologists assess the problem somewhat differently. For them, faces and bodies are not a single picture, but are mentally arranged into a three-dimensional “composition” of skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscles, and tendons.
Face modeling
The specialist understands that the problem the patient is dealing with has deep roots and selects a solution method that gives long-term results. Therefore, it is better to listen to the opinion of professionals so as not to waste money and time.
Combination rules
Cosmetologists do not recommend simultaneous injections of different drugs into a single area. This can lead to inadequate functioning of the substances and complications.
Performing the procedure using drugs with different mechanisms of action is possible when affecting remote areas. Is it possible to carry out a complex procedure at once? The doctor will definitely say.
When treating a single area, cosmetologists recommend first performing Botox injections. After 14–30 days, correction is carried out or the area is supplemented with the required amount of filler. This scheme will allow you to efficiently remove even large wrinkles.
It is possible to change the order of use of drugs, but it is difficult to make an optimal calculation of the required amount of substances. Often, the result of this type of procedure disappears faster or the patient suffers complications.
Lipolitics (fat burning drugs)
Lipolitics can be direct (acting directly on the adipocyte - a fat cell - by destroying its membrane) and indirect (removing excess fluid, improving microcirculation, stimulating the process of weight loss).
The names of direct lipolytics usually contain phosphatidylcholine and sodium deoxycholate (these are bile salts). If they are not included in the composition, then this means that this is an indirect lipolytic.
For the face - a delicate area with a thin layer of fat - I definitely recommend indirect ones.
Direct lipolytic needs to work strictly in the fat layer, otherwise you can get into the muscle or get retraction (uneven effect).
Direct or combined lipolytics are indicated for the body. Here the fat layer is much better developed, and complications are unlikely.
Like any procedure, lipolytic injections also have certain nuances. For example, with the help of lipolytics you cannot lose weight, but you can only locally reduce the volume. If the skin in the treated area has lost its elasticity and sagged, you first need to improve its quality, and only then resort to lipolytics. The results of therapy will last provided proper nutrition and minimal physical activity.
Lipotherapy is perfect for fat traps that do not respond to sports and nutrition (belly, riding breeches, knees, double chin).
Opinion of cosmetologists
Doctors actively use both versions of drugs in their work. Cosmetologists carry out prescriptions according to the situation: some patients are more suitable for botulinum toxin, for others modeling with hyaluronic gels. Sometimes a combination of techniques is indispensable. In this case, injections must be done sequentially.
The cosmetologist suggests using drugs to correct different areas.
The cosmetologist suggests sequential use of medications.
The cosmetologist offers an integrated approach.
Indications and contraindications
Indications for botulinum therapy:
- facial wrinkles on the forehead, bridge of the nose;
- nasolabial folds (it is advisable to use fillers in addition);
- the need to correct the oval of the face;
- photoaging;
- age-related changes;
- hyperhidrosis (increased sweating);
- the need to change the shape of the nose (Botox can visually narrow the nose).
Contraindications to the procedure:
- antimicrobial therapy;
- oncology;
- pregnancy or lactation period;
- poor eyesight;
- asthenia (muscle weakness);
- menstruation;
- poor blood clotting;
- herpes in acute form;
- calcium intake.
Before the procedure, it is necessary to inform the doctor about all your diseases so that he takes this into account. If there is a tendency to bags under the eyes or swelling of the face, you should also tell your doctor about this.
What is Botox and what wrinkles does it eliminate, watch the video:
Beauty doesn't mean stress
This is exactly the feeling experienced by many women who have just signed up or have already visited a cosmetologist and received a portion of fillers in the face. Ladies compare similar procedures to visits to the dentist - it doesn’t seem to hurt, but it’s quite unpleasant. Needless to say, injections should be done regularly, otherwise their entire effect will disappear.
Self-care should be fun, relaxing and uplifting. When giving injections, you always play roulette, because you cannot be 100% sure that the cosmetologist will not overdo the drug and that there will be no side effects.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the advantages of botulinum therapy are the following:
- fast completion of the procedure;
- painlessness;
- quick effect;
- the frequency of repetition of the procedure is no more than once every 3 months;
- prevention of deep wrinkles;
- lack of rehabilitation period.
If the procedure is carried out in compliance with all necessary antiseptic and sanitary requirements, and a qualified cosmetologist administers Botox, then serious complications and negative consequences can be avoided.
Otherwise, you may encounter the following negative consequences:
- distortion of facial expressions;
- pronounced swelling of the face;
- paralysis of the muscles around the mouth;
- shorter-term effect in athletes;
- drooping of the eyebrows, eyelids and corners of the lips;
- mask effect on the face;
- inability to blink normally, chew food and swallow.
To avoid most undesirable consequences, you need to choose a doctor with a higher specialized education and extensive experience working with Botox.
