Injectable treatments like Botox show no sign of letting up; in fact it’s a rising trend among millennials and now men. While you’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t know what Botox is, filler is a different story. Thankfully, set us straight and cleared up the confusion for us.
Botox
What is it?
Also known as Botulinum toxin, Botox is a non-surgical anti-ageing treatment that treats lines and wrinkles. A purified protein is injected into the skin that relaxes muscles, temporarily softening lines. Botox reduces the action of the treated muscles, preventing them from moving and this gives you a younger and fresher looking appearance. Contrary to popular belief, Botox does not paralyse muscles. It can also be used as a preventative treatment to delay the ageing process. The treatment takes 10-15 minutes and results appear over the following few days.
Who is it suitable for?
Botox is a prescription medicine and there is some contraindication that might preclude you from having the treatment done, but these are all discussed in detail at your consultation. It can be a suitable treatment for reducing lines and wrinkles. However, it is more effective on less developed lines. But what areas of the face are most suited for Botox? Forehead lines, frown lines and crows feet (lines around the eyes) are popular treatment areas. However, Caci clinic will talk through your desired results and whether the treatment is suitable for you.
How long does it last?
It generally lasts 3 – 4 months.
Fillers
What is it?
Dermal filler is used to help restore lost volume, or enhance certain areas of the face (like the lips). Dermal filler is an injectable gel containing naturally occurring hyaluronic acid. Fillers help restore volume loss that begins to occur in our late thirties and results in a fresher, brighter appearance. It can also provide extra hydration, particularly in the lips. How does this work exactly? Caci uses a dermal filler called Juvederm that contains a local anaesthetic, meaning you’ll feel more comfortable during the treatment. The dermal filler is injected using a fine needle and takes 10 – 15 minutes to perform. The longevity of filler varies between clients.
The most popular areas are:
- Lips
- Cheeks
- Nasolabial folds from nose to outer cheek
- Marionette or Jowl lines that run from either side of the mouth to the chin
Who is it suitable for?
Fillers are used to plump areas of the face such as cheeks, chin and lips. This treatment adds volume and is ideal for those looking to add definition to areas like the cheeks. It can even soften sharp or angular jawlines. By restoring volume to facial areas, fillers can also help to smooth lines and wrinkles that form in certain parts such as around the lips, or the lines that form between the bottom of the nose and the corners of the mouth.
How long does it last?
Results typically last 12 – 24 months although this varies from person to person.
The bottom line
A good way to look at it is lines of expression need Botox while lines at rest need filler. Fillers are best used on lines that don’t move when you make facial expressions, whereas Botox is used to treat moderate to severe lines caused by repeated facial expressions.
Something to consider is the lasting power of each treatment – while dermal filler lasts 12 – 24 months, Botox results only stick around for 3 or 4 months. But as these treatments work differently, they are used on different areas of the face to get the best results. They can also be used together to customise your treatment, depending on what you need.
LAST CHANCE OFFER:
Until November 30, you’ll receive a complimentary skincare gift when you pop in to a Caci Clinic for an appearance medicine consultation. So if you’ve been thinking about targeting those stubborn lines and wrinkles…now’s the time!
Botox® is a Prescription Medicine containing 100 units of clostridium botulinum Type A toxin complex for injection. It is used for the treatment of frown lines, crow’s feet and horizontal forehead lines. It should be administered only by trained medical professionals. Cautions: people with defective neuro-muscular transmission disorders, presence of infection at site of injection, glaucoma, pregnancy and lactation. Possible side effects include headaches, pain, burning or redness at injection site, local muscle weakness including drooping eye lids, lack of feeling & nausea. . Note: Botox® treatment lasts about four months and after this time further courses of treatment may be necessary. Speak to your specialist about your own situation.
JUVEDERM injectable gels are medical devices containing 24 mg/mL cross linked hyaluronic acid. They are used for the filling of medium size and deep facial wrinkles by injection into the skin and for creating definition and volume in the lips. They should be administered only by trained medical professionals. Cautions: Use in an area that has been treated with another dermal filler. People with autoimmune disease; or who are pregnant, breastfeeding, age under 18; or have an increased susceptibility to keloid formation and hypertrophic scarring. Possible Side Effects: Injection site inflammatory reactions(redness/swelling/itching/painorpressure).indurationornodules; discolouration; weak filling effect
Talk to your specialist about the benefits/risks of these procedures in appearance medicine or if you have concerns or side effects. Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Auckland