Does trying to figure out the difference between dermal fillers and neurotoxins leave a permanent furrow in your brow? If you’re considering injectable treatments but don’t know where to start, you’ve come to the right place! Part of my job is to help you understand the difference between the types of injectables we use during cosmetic procedures. The two categories of injectables are neurotoxins and dermal fillers. And while they are both among the most popular anti-aging treatments used today, they are different beasts! Here’s a little “Injectables 101” for your reading pleasure…
How are dermal fillers and neurotoxins the same?
Well, they both:- Are minimally invasive with no downtime
- Not permanent (treatments have to be repeated to maintain effect)
- Offer natural-looking results
What are dermal fillers?
As we start to age, our bodies aren’t able to produce collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin. Collagen and elastin are essential for tight skin, and hyaluronic acid provides us with plump, smooth skin. Unfortunately, in our 30s, not only does our skin lose the ability to produce these as efficiently as before, but cell turnover will start to slow as well. As a result, we start to see expression lines around the eyes, forehead and mouth. Dermal fillers are made of hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring substance in our bodies. There are also hyaluronic acid fillers that contain the numbing agent lidocaine (to keep you a little more comfortable during your treatment!). According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, dermal fillers can be an effective way to:- Plump thin lips and restore a youthful contour
- Restore lost volume to cheeks and undereyes
- Soften and smooth facial creases and wrinkles
- Improve the appearance of recessed scars
- Juvederm® Ultra XC
- Juvederm® Volbella XC
- Juvederm® Voluma
- Restylane®
- Restylane® LYFT
- Restylane® Silk
- Restylane® Refine
- Restylane® Define
- Belotero Balance®
- Radiesse®
- Bellafill®
- Sculptra® Aesthetic
What are neurotoxins?
Neurotoxins are also used to treat the signs of aging, except this treatment is administered with a substance called Botulinum Toxin Type A. According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, these injections are the most popular cosmetic treatments administered in the United States. Neurotoxin injectables are most commonly used to smooth wrinkles that are a result of frowning, smiling, squinting or other common facial expressions. When this treatment is administered, the neurotoxin blocks nerve impulses to the facial muscles, which causes the muscles to relax. So, in turn, expressions soften and wrinkles are drastically reduced. It’s important to remember that the effects of neurotoxin injectable treatments aren’t immediate. Full results will appear within one to two weeks. The neurotoxin treatments that we like and use include:- BOTOX®
- Dysport®
- Xeomin®