Botox vs. Fillers: Which Is Right for You?

Botox and dermal fillers are two of the most popular cosmetic treatments that turn back the clock on aging. Both are injectables that are proven safe and effective against lines and wrinkles, but they work differently to give you the youthful, rejuvenated appearance you desire.

At Coast Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center, we offer comprehensive medical and cosmetic services to help our Laguna Beach, CA, patients achieve a fresh, youthful look. Our team of board-certified dermatologists uses the most advanced dermal fillers and wrinkle relaxers and combines treatments for the best outcomes.

What are the differences between neuromodulators and fillers?

There are distinct differences between neuromodulators and dermal fillers, in terms of what they do and how they work:

• Botox, Daxxify, and other neuromodulators: These work by reducing muscle activity to relax lines, wrinkles, and creases caused by dynamic facial expressions. These common signs of aging are typically found in the upper face, such as the forehead and around the eyes.
• Dermal fillers: These products are made of hyaluronic acid, which “fills in” or plumps certain facial areas to achieve a smoother and more lifted appearance. Common concerns treated include wrinkles around the mouth, thin lips, and cheeks that need additional fullness and definition.

Botox results last 3-4 months, while Daxxify can last up to 6 months or longer. Most HA dermal fillers last 6-12 months. Sculptra® produces results for up to 2 years.

What can neuromodulators like Botox treat?

Botox Cosmetic, Daxxify, and other neuromodulators are typically used to treat the following areas and concerns:

• Glabellar lines: Also called frown lines or the “11s”, these vertical lines appear between the eyebrows. When injected into the creases, Botox relaxes the targeted muscles and prevents them from contracting. The area between the eyebrows achieves a smoother-looking appearance.
• Crow’s feet: These lines and wrinkles form in the outer corner of the eyes. Botox reduces underlying muscle activity that leads to crow’s feet due to repetitive squinting or smiling, and the skin underneath and around your eyes will look smoother and line-free.
• Forehead lines: Lines can also form across the forehead, giving you a worried or angry appearance. Botox injections prevent the horizontal lines created when raising one’s eyebrows.
• Lip lines: Vertical wrinkles can develop along and above your upper lip due to frequent motions like smoking or sucking on a straw. Botox reduces the movement of the orbicularis oris muscle, which encircles the mouth and controls movements of the mouth and lips. Botox into this muscle softens the vertical lip lines.
• Bunny lines: These are the fine horizontal lines that often appear at the top of the nasal bridge. Botox can be used to smooth away these creases as well.
• Neck bands: Horizontal muscle bands are often caused by an overactive platysma muscle, commonly due to looking down at our devices. Botox is injected into the platysma muscle to relax it, resulting in a smoother and firmer-looking neck.

What can dermal fillers treat?

Dermal fillers can address the following common signs of aging in the face and neck:

• Hollow areas under the eyes
• An undefined jawline
• Loss of volume and definition in the cheeks/midface
• Nasolabial folds (smile lines)
• Marionette folds (creases at the corners of the mouth)
• Lip lines/smoker lines
• Flat, thin lips
• Chin creases and wrinkles
• Protruding veins and thinning skin in the hands

What are neuromodulators and fillers?

Most commonly referred to by product names like Botox®, Daxxify®, Dysport®, and Jeuveau®, neuromodulators work by blocking nerve signals in the muscles, which reduces muscle movement temporarily. When the muscle relaxes, certain wrinkles may be softened, minimized, or eliminated.

Dermal fillers, also called soft tissue fillers, are gel-like substances designed to be injected beneath the skin’s surface to add volume and fullness. The most common dermal fillers belong to the Juvederm® and Restylane® families of fillers. Made of hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance already found in the body and responsible for retaining moisture, these fillers instantly plump up the skin to smooth out lines and wrinkles and enhance facial contours.

Dermal fillers are temporary because HA is broken down and absorbed by the body over time, but there are synthetic dermal filler formulations that aren’t absorbed by the body. Rather, they work by stimulating collagen production to produce gradual results that last longer.

Sculptra, a collagen stimulator, is made of smooth beads of polylactic acid in a gel. Similar to HA fillers, it adds volume to the skin, but as the beads naturally break down, they stimulate the body’s collagen remodeling process to produce longer-lasting results.

Find the perfect injectable treatment at Coast Dermatology

Determining the right injectable for you depends on your skin concern, skin condition, and your goals. Neuromodulators and dermal fillers are both effective at skin rejuvenation and are also complementary cosmetic treatments that can be performed in a single session to produce a non-surgical facelift.

Coast Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center in Laguna Beach, CA, provides exceptional services focusing on health and beauty. Dr. Glenn Goldberg is a board-certified dermatologist with more than 35 years of expertise in cosmetic treatments like Botox and other injectables. When you come in for a consultation, he will evaluate your skin, discuss your goals, and determine which injectable or combination of injectables will help achieve your desired results.

With experience and an aesthetic eye, Dr. Goldberg can safely and effectively treat signs of aging and refresh your appearance. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how our injectables can benefit you.