Botox or Filler? Which Treatment Is Best for My Wrinkles?

Every year, millions of Americans opt for Botox® or dermal filler treatments to help battle the signs of aging. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, these two injectable treatments are the most popular cosmetic treatments.

Of course, one of the most important steps to getting the results you want is to select the right injectable for your needs. And sometimes, that can be a little confusing.

In Woodland Hills, California, Jeffrey Sherman, DC, NP, and the team at Prime Wellness offer Botox and dermal fillers to help women and men smooth out wrinkles and address other aesthetic concerns. Here, learn how these agents work and how to decide which option is better for you.

Botox basics

Possibly the best-known wrinkle treatment, Botox is designed to work on dynamic wrinkles — lines that form when you make facial expressions. Over the years, those lines become etched into your skin, which means you can see them even when your face is relaxed.

Expressions involve nerve signals between your facial muscles and your brain. When you make an expression, those nerves carry signals to your brain, and your brain responds by “telling” specific facial muscles to contract. As the muscles contract, they tug on your skin, creating dynamic wrinkles.

Botox works by blocking those nerve signals, preventing muscles from contracting. That means those muscles won’t tug on your skin, and lines and wrinkles won’t form. Botox can be a great option for crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles, brow lines, and “bunny lines” along the upper sides of your nose.

Botox uses very thin needles for highly precise application, enabling us to target even tiny muscles accurately. The result: smoother skin that helps you look younger and less “stressed.”

Facts about fillers

Dermal fillers treat different types of wrinkles and lines — so-called static wrinkles. These wrinkles happen as we age, and our skin produces less collagen, a protein that helps skin stay smooth, supple, and firm. 

Collagen fibers form a supportive network for your skin, and when production declines, that network weakens, allowing our skin to sag and settle into static lines and wrinkles. Sun exposure and other environmental exposures, chronic illness, and even genetics can also play a role in collagen breakdown.

Fillers work by “filling in” lines and folds, including deep folds that form around your nose and chin. They can also help replace lost volume in your cheeks, under your eyes, and lips. Some fillers can replace lost volume in the backs of your hands or fill in scars and other depressions.

Combination treatment

Botox and fillers are time-tested, safe, and effective treatments that help your complexion look younger without invasive surgery. Plus, there’s no downtime with either type of injectable; each treatment is completely customizable, and you can repeat treatments to help you maintain your results.

Another benefit of injectables: Botox and fillers can be used together to treat both types of wrinkles. Combination treatment is so effective that it’s sometimes referred to as a “mini facelift.”

If you’d like to learn more about injectables and how they can help you look and feel your absolute best — without surgery or downtime — call 818-824-8629 or request an appointment online with the team at Prime Wellness today.