As we age, wrinkles and fine lines become an inevitable part of life. We start to look more tired and notice things such as, crows feet and forehead lines. These symptoms unfortunately can’t be treated by over-the-counter anti-aging products.
Because of this, injectable implants and facial fillers have become a popular option for millions of people. Most patients will ask, what’s the best option for me? How can I decide between Botox and a dermal filler like Juvéderm?
Well, let’s break it down.
Comparing Juvéderm and Botox
Botox cosmetic is a noninvasive form of wrinkle treatment. It’s a purified protein, made from a variety of ingredients. Botox injections contain a neurotoxin called botulinum toxin A, which works by relaxing the muscles that cause stubborn fine lines and wrinkles.
Botox is the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatment, with more than 6 million Botox treatments administered each year. It’s most commonly known to treat fine lines and wrinkles, but can also be used to treat things such as, migraines and muscular disorders.
Juvéderm Fillers are a noninvasive solution containing a gel made from naturally occurring hyaluronic acid– a natural sugar found in skin. It’s used to restore facial contours and works by “filling in” your wrinkles from underneath the skin.
Juvéderm is one of the most common nonsurgical cosmetic procedures done in the United States. It primarily focuses on the face, specifically the lips, cheeks and mouth area.
Wrinkle Types
One of the most important factors to consider when deciding between Botox or Juvéderm is the type of wrinkles you’re treating. Both treatments are great for smoothing wrinkles on your face but do not work on the same type of wrinkles.
Juvéderm works best for wrinkles that show when your face is at rest, while Botox works best for wrinkles that appear during movement. For example, if wrinkles appear when you smile, laugh or show other emotion, Botox is your best option. If wrinkles appear when your face is at ease, Juvéderm is the better solution. However, some treatments work best when together especially when you're looking for both volume and tightening.
Procedure Times and Results
Both procedures work relatively fast and the results are usually noticeable within a few days of the procedure. However, it’s likely you will notice Juvéderm injection results faster than Botox.
Each of the treatments are capable of providing natural-looking results but it’s important to consider the expertise of your specialist before deciding where to go for your procedure. Over time, the injectables get safely absorbed by the body, resulting in nonpermanent changes.
Juvéderm procedures can take as little at 15 minutes or as long as an hour. This will depend on the amount of injections you receive. The results will depend on the concentration of hyaluronic acid in your body. The higher the concentration, the longer the results will last.
Botox procedures can also be completed in minutes. Bigger areas of the skin will require more injection, thus taking more time. It’s expected that Botox results will last anywhere between three months to a year.
Botox Pain & Side Effects
Major side effects from Botox are rare in most cases. Typically, the most side effects include minor bruising and swelling. Some of the more serious side effects include:
· Numbness
· Weakness
· Headaches
· Facial asymmetry
It’s important to inform your doctor about your treatment plans and discuss the medications you're on before seeking treatment. Drug interactions are possible, especially medicines used for neuromuscular diseases.
In more serious cases a complication called botulinum toxicity can occur. This happens when the active ingredient in Botox travels from the original injection site to another area of the body. While this is rare, signs of possible toxicity to look for include the following:
· Blurry vision
· Dizziness
· Nausea
· Vomiting
· Weakness or numbness in muscles
· Paralysis
Juvéderm Pain & Side Effects
Overall, Juvéderm is deemed safe for cosmetic use. But the active ingredient (hyaluronic acid) may have some side effects. Some of these side effects can include:
· Injection site pain
· Swelling
· Rash
· Tenderness
· Firmness
· Lumps/bumps
· Bruising
· Discoloration
· Itching
In rare cases, more serious complications can occur. The risk usually involves different knock-off formulations of Juvéderm. For this reason, It’s important to speak with your doctor before receiving treatment. Talk to your healthcare provider about the following risks:
· Skin discoloration
· Scarring
· Numbness
· Allergic reactions
· Infection
· Blood loss
You’ll also want to discuss any variations in risks and side effects before receiving treatment.
So, which is the better option?
The answer is neither. Nor Juvéderm or Botox win a trophy for having the best solution for fine lines and wrinkle treatment. They each offer effective solutions to anti-aging treatments. While both serve similar purposes, they operate in different principles and treat different types of wrinkles.
In order to decide which is best, speak with a specialist about the best treatment solution for you.