In 2020, Botox® was the top minimally invasive procedure performed in the United States, and fillers easily earned second place, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
It’s easy to understand why these injectables are so highly desired. They’re safe and do an exceptional job of smoothing away your wrinkles and restoring a vibrant, youthful appearance.
Though James W. Goodnight, MD, has earned a well-deserved reputation for his plastic surgery skills, he realizes not everyone needs or is ready for a surgical procedure. At Dr. Goodnight’s Everlasting Beauty, he performs Botox and filler injections with the same expertise and artistic skill he uses during surgery.
You don’t need to worry about facing difficult decisions between Botox and fillers. For starters, we’re here to explain how they work and if they will achieve your cosmetic goals. But beyond that, each one targets a different type of wrinkles.
Two major types of wrinkles
All wrinkles look the same, but they develop a little differently. As you age, your skin loses moisture and produces less collagen and elastin, the proteins responsible for strength and resilience.
Add exposure to sunlight, which causes extensive damage to your skin and its supporting structures, and wrinkles appear. The wrinkles caused by these normal age-related changes are called static wrinkles.
The second type, called dynamic wrinkles, develop over years of making the same facial expressions. Every time you squint or frown (to give you two examples), you contract the same set of muscles. Repeated muscle contractions scrunch the skin together, ultimately resulting in lines and wrinkles.
Botox targets dynamic wrinkles
Botox is a type of neurotoxin that blocks the nerve signals responsible for muscle contractions. When we inject Botox, we carefully target the muscles responsible for your dynamic wrinkles. In about 24-48 hours, the medication makes the muscles relax, which in turn diminishes or eliminates:
- Frown lines
- Crow’s feet
- Forehead furrows
- Bunny lines (on your upper nose)
These are often the deepest and most noticeable wrinkles on your face. And they tend to give you the appearance that you’re grumpy or worried, even when you’re not.
Since we precisely inject specific muscles, most of the muscles in your face remain untouched, allowing you to show the full range of expressions. As a result, Botox leaves you looking younger.
After your treatment, your results should last up to four months. The effect of Botox gradually fades away, but you can always choose to get another treatment to maintain your results.
Dermal fillers target static wrinkles
Dermal fillers fill in the area under static wrinkles. As a result, the filler plumps up the area, smoothing lines, wrinkles, and folds. We can also inject fillers in regions that lose volume or look gaunt.
Fillers do an exceptional job of treating laugh lines, forehead wrinkles, and marionette lines (the wrinkles that run down from the corners of your mouth).
In addition to getting rid of wrinkles around your mouth and nose, we use fillers to:
- Fill-in scars
- Lift your cheeks
- Restore cheek volume
- Plump your lips
- Add volume where needed
- Improve facial symmetry
Many dermal fillers are made of hyaluronic acid, a natural, moisture-retaining gel. We customize your cosmetic treatment using different types of fillers designed for specific wrinkles and areas of your face.
Fillers produce long-lasting results
Fillers dramatically change your appearance as soon as they’re injected. How long your results last depends on the type of filler and where it’s injected.
Hyaluronic acid fillers last from six months to two years. However, some fillers last up to three years. And one brand contains tiny particles that add volume for five years. Like Botox, you can have more filler injected when your results start to disappear.
If you’re ready to rejuvenate your appearance or you have questions about Botox and fillers, call Dr. Goodnight’s Everlasting Beauty or request an appointment online today.