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Why Botox is Better than Dermal Fillers
Residents of Westwood considering getting Botox may find themselves confused by the large number of cosmetic products that are currently injected under the skin. Some websites may tout the advantages of their dermal filler, even over the many known advantages of Botox. What's the difference between Botox and dermal fillers, and how do you know which one to choose?
Botox vs. Dermal Fillers
Botox is a neurotoxin that reduces the appearance of wrinkles by blocking nervous system signals that cause muscles to involuntarily contract. These contracting muscles then produce wrinkles in various parts of the face, including the forehead, the area between the eyebrows, and various places surrounding the mouth and the eyes. A few well-placed Botox injections by a skilled Westwood Botox doctor will stop these muscles from contracting, thus eliminating or at least reducing their associated wrinkles. The effect is not permanent; most Botox injections last anywhere from three to six months.
A dermal filler, on the other hand, such as Juvederm, Restalyne, Collagen, and others, is a substance that adds volume to the skin, which, like Botox, results in a more youthful appearance. It's normal for the skin to lose its collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid as we age. These components are key for our skin to maintain its firmness, its smoothness, and its shape. An injection of a dermal filler helps to make up for this loss in skin volume, returning some of these components to the skin. Fillers can also be used to fill in acne scars. Need more help determining what is right for you? Contact Botox Westwod today and we will answer any questions you have.
Some Dermal Fillers are Controversial
Although new advances in cosmetic technology are making the latest generation of dermal fillers fairly safe, not all dermal fillers are worth the risk. Newer dermal fillers, just like Botox, are temporary in their effects and need to be re-injected every few months. It is not unusual for Westwood Botox doctors to use a combination of Botox injections and these temporary dermal filler injections to create the best results for the face. If you compare wrinkles to mountains and valleys, you could say that Botox injections smooth out the mountains, and dermal fillers fill in the valleys.
However, there are also permanent dermal fillers that are not well-regarded by many experienced Westwood Botox practitioners. These permanent dermal fillers are most often made from silicon. As a result of using these silicon injections, bumpy, grain-textured scars can appear in the skin long after the injection – even decades later. Although the FDA has never approved silicon for use as a dermal filler, some doctors use it anyway. The only advantage of this controversial type of dermal filler is that it only has to be done once to achieve the desired look.
You can find more information on our practice at Botox Westwood.
Botox is Safer than Most Dermal Fillers
Even with the advances in dermal filler technology, Botox is still considered to be safer. Why is this? The substances used are often animal-based, leading to a greater chance of an allergic reaction. Some Botox Westwood patients may also have an allergic reaction to Botox, but this is rare.
Other risks of dermal fillers include blood pooling beneath the surface of the skin, and necrosis, or tissue death. In some rare cases, fillers can lead to a loss of skin – an ironic result considering that the goal of a filler is to add volume to the skin, not decrease it.
If you are considering a Botox injection or a dermal filler, seek out the help of a qualified Westwood Botox or Botox Los Angeles doctor. A qualified doctor can explain all the risks and advantages of Botox injections and other types of injections, and can guide you towards the product or combination of products that will work best for your skin.
Come in today to receive Botox Injections at Botox Westwood!
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