Botox® or Dermal Fillers? Which Is the Right Choice for You?

Before you decide whether to get Botox® or go for one of the popular fillers available, keep reading to learn all you can about the products. It might surprise you that you don’t have to choose one or the other.

One day, you look in the mirror and see lines and wrinkles have suddenly cropped up on your face, and you realize the unimaginable has happened — you’ve gotten older.

This shocking realization is why Americans spend more than $16 billion a year fixing up their faces with surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic treatments. The rising popularity of anti-aging treatments is partly due to the increasing number of safe and effective options available — and we offer them all here at Woodlands Aesthetics in The Woodlands, Texas.

The most frequent question we get is: Which is better — Botox® or fillers? So, we’re taking some time here to address the differences and similarities so you can make an informed decision.

How Botox and dermal fillers are similar

If you’re confused about which treatment is right for you — Botox or fillers — we understand, because they’re similar in many ways.

Injectables

Botox and dermal fillers are minimally invasive treatments, meaning they don’t involve surgery, but they do require injections.

Treatment time

Whichever treatment you choose, you can expect to be in our office for about half an hour, depending on how many injections you need to achieve your goal.

Downtime

You don’t need to schedule any downtime for Botox and fillers. Although you may notice some slight redness or puffiness immediately after your treatment, those side effects subside quickly.

How Botox and dermal fillers differ

Despite their similarities, Botox and fillers are very different treatments. Here are the unique features of each.

What they treat

Botox only treats lines and wrinkles caused by facial expressions: between your brows, across your forehead, and around your eyes.

Fillers treat the crepey, textural wrinkles that result from lost volume under the surface of your skin: cheeks, chins, lips.

What they contain

Botox contains a purified form of the Botulinum toxin type A, a neuromodulator.

Dermal fillers contain biocompatible substances, such as hyaluronic acid and polymethyl methacrylate.

How they work

Botox works by interfering with how your nerve cells communicate, paralyzing the muscles they serve. No more muscle contractions means no more wrinkles.

Dermal fillers don’t affect your muscles; they simply replace volume under the surface of your skin, increasing plumpness and providing a smoother texture.

How long they last

Botox lasts about 3-4 months before you need a touch-up.

Fillers last 6-12 months or longer.

How Botox and dermal fillers are better together

If you’re like most people, you have both types of wrinkles: dynamic wrinkles caused by years of making facial expressions, and static wrinkles caused by lost fat tissue, thinning skin, and sun damage. So, why not consider combining Botox and dermal fillers in one session?

Our experienced team of medical professionals at Woodlands Aesthetics, led by Ashley Cook, WHNP-BC, assesses your skin condition, talks with you about your goals, and helps you decide on the best treatment — or combination of treatments — that will make your skin look smoother, brighter, and younger.

To schedule a consultation, call us today, or use our online booking tool.