What's the difference between Botox & Fillers?

Okay, I will admit it... When I started with Atlanta Dermatology and Laser Surgery a little over a year ago, I had no idea what Botox was and that it was any different than a "filler." In fact, I often used them interchangeably thinking they were the same thing. Yes, I am the one who was guilty of confusing patients EVERYWHERE on the Botox vs. Filler dilemma. Well, I am here to set the record straight and  explain it to you in a way that even I can understand!

Let's first start off by describing what Botox Cosmetic is. Botox is a treatment that is used to treat wrinkles, usually around the eyes (crows feet and between the eye brows) and the upper face (those stubborn creases we get on our forehead). Wrinkles are caused by the muscles under our skin pulling our skin as we make facial expressions. The Botox product is then injected into specific muscles of the face, injecting the product into the muscle reduces muscle contractions so they cannot pull the underlying skin, helping to stop the source of wrinkles. Botox usually lasts up to anywhere from three to four months, patients are advised to get retreated every three months for optimal results. Our physicians are skilled in knowing exactly how much Botox to use to treat your area of concern and where they should inject it to achieve your desired wrinkle reduction, while still looking natural.

To sum it all up, Botox works by keeping the muscles that cause us to form wrinkles from moving, helping to stop the wrinkles you have from showing and stopping deeper or new wrinkles from forming.

Check out before and after photos of a Botox Patient:

So, now you ask.. and this is different from Fillers...because? 

Fillers do just what they sound like, they fill areas that have lost volume due to aging. With age we often see a loss of volume in areas on face like the lips, cheeks, chin and smile lines (nasolabial folds and marionette lines). Fillers are injected into the skin to fill up where age has stripped us of volume (thanks a lot old age) and they remain there from any where from six to 18 months, some may last longer. While in your skin the filler attracts water to the treatment site, and encourages collagen formation around the site as well; thus, the plumping effect is achieved by the combination of the filler, the increase of water and the new formation of natural collagen.

Basically, Fillers work by filling up areas that have lost volume or wrinkles that have formed due to aging, by plumping up the area. The "plumping effect" helps to give a more youthful, refreshed and rejuvenated appearance to treated patients.

Check out before and afters of Patients after using Juvederm (a filler we use at our office) below: 

Now you can see how Botox and Fillers are really different but how both are excellent at meeting the unique needs of each and every patient. Our providers are trained and highly skilled in both Botox and Fillers and would love to meet with you to discuss how they can help you.

 For more information on Botox and our  Fillers or to schedule a free consultation call (404) 296-8000 or visit our website: www.atlantadermatologyexperts.com