Botox and Fillers – What’s the Difference?

February 14, 2013 - By Dr. Jules Feledy

Botox is a very popular cosmetic treatment, even among people who have never actually had any plastic surgery, but are interested. As versatile as it is, though, a cure-all for aesthetic facial flaws it is not. Some people might want fuller lips, for example, and assume Botox is good for that. Not so. They might be confusing Botox with something else – facial fillers, such as Juvederm. These different treatments are designed to treat facial imperfections differently. Allow us to break it down for you.

Botox

Botox is a neuromuscular toxin called Botulinum that temporarily paralyzes muscles in small doses, which causes facial muscles to relax and makes wrinkles less visible. While Botox is the most recognized brand, there exist other brands of Botulinum on the market, such as Dysport and Xeomin. These medications are meant to be used on “active” facial lines, which basically means recently-formed muscles, whereas…

Fillers

Fillers are meant to tackle the deeper soft tissue, aka “firmly established wrinkles.” They’re also good for adding volume to certain facial areas, such as the lips. There are lots of different kinds of soft tissue fillers out there, so ask your surgeon about which one would be best for your desired outcome.

Consulting your plastic surgeon really is pivotal when deciding to undergo cosmetic surgery of any kind. Try not to go in with preconceived notions about what procedure you want, and instead try and keep in mind the effect you’re after. Instead of getting what’s popular, a skilled practitioner will know what’s best for your desired outcome.