Botox vs Fillers: Which Aesthetic Treatment Is Best for Me?

If you’re bothered by the increasing number of lines and wrinkles you see in the mirror, we have good news: Many treatments can help! Choosing which is best for you can be confusing, but our staff at South Naperville Family Practice is here to help! 

We offer a full range of aesthetic procedures, several that are specifically designed to lessen the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, including Botox® and similar treatments, and fillers such as Juvéderm®. The most appropriate treatment for you depends on a host of factors, but know that our staff makes recommendations based on your skin, overall health, medical history, and your longer-term goals. 

Not all wrinkles are the same

One of the most important factors in choosing between a filler and Botox has to do with whether you want to treat dynamic or static wrinkles. 

You see dynamic wrinkles only when your face moves a certain way. For example, you may only have crow’s feet around your eyes when you smile. Those are dynamic. 

After years, though, those dynamic wrinkles are there even when your face is at rest. Those are static wrinkles. 

The difference in how Botox and fillers work

Why it matters whether you’re treating dynamic or static wrinkles has to do with how the two treatments work. Even though both Botox and fillers are injected, they work very differently. 

Botox is a neurotoxin. It works by blocking nerve signals that tell the muscles that cause your wrinkles to contract. For example, Botox is often used to treat the two lines between your eyebrows that form a number 11. It stops the muscles that cause those wrinkles from contracting. You can still move your eyebrows and don’t lose your expressiveness, but those wrinkles don’t appear. 

Fillers, on the other hand, do just what their name implies: They fill in the wrinkles. Static wrinkles sometimes appear because your skin isn’t producing as much collagen and elastin as it once did. Fillers plump your skin, smoothing away the wrinkles. 

There are different types of fillers, as well. Some use the active ingredient calcium hydroxylapatite, others contain hyaluronic acid, and others have different ingredients. Some last longer than others, and some are better for treating certain areas or kinds of wrinkles. 

Risks, longevity, and other considerations

Botox injections are one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the world, and Botox has been in use for decades. It’s considered quite safe, particularly when administered by qualified professionals like our staff. 

All of the fillers we offer are FDA approved and are considered very safe for most people. One of the reasons it’s important to get an evaluation and customized treatment suggestions is that your personal medical history is unique to you, and you deserve a plan designed for your individual circumstances. 

The effects of Botox injections range from 2-3.5 months. However, if you make them part of your regular beauty routine, you’re likely to need fewer over time. Fillers tend to last longer, but they also vary, so the exact amount of time you can enjoy the results depends on which one you choose. 

If you’d like to learn more about the treatments we offer to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, schedule a consultation today! You can make an appointment by calling our Aurora, Illinois, office at 630-236-4300. Also, you can send a message to the team here on our website. We’ll be happy to help you.