Neurotoxins (like Botox®, Dysport®, and Jeuveau®) and fillers (like Restylane® and Revanesse® Versa™) both treat wrinkles. However, they are used in different types of wrinkles and different areas of the face because they work in different ways!
Neurotoxins
Neurotoxins work by temporarily blocking the chemical signals which tell our muscles to contract. We use neurotoxins most commonly in the forehead, around the eyes, and in between the eyebrows. There are additional areas in the lower face we treat too, like the lips, chin, and jaw muscles! In these areas, the wrinkles are created by muscles making the same expressions over and over. If we relax the muscles and don’t allow you to make these expressions so intensely, the wrinkles will smooth out and may even disappear completely.
Neurotoxins also prevent new wrinkles from forming in these areas. It is important for patients to get these injections every 3-4 months if they want to maintain the effects.
Fillers
Fillers work by…you guessed it…filling the wrinkle or hollow area! Filler is made out of hyaluronic acid, something found in many moisturizers nowadays and also naturally created by the body! Filler feels like Jell-O, and looks very soft and natural when used appropriately.
We use filler in the lower face – like the cheeks, undereyes, nasolabial folds between the nose and mouth, lips, chin, and many other areas! These are wrinkles or areas of hollowing that appear over time due to the natural aging process (loss of bone and movement of fat under the skin), and not necessarily muscle movement or facial expressions. Filler lasts about 9 months to a year or more, depending on the person and the area treated.
