Not many people know the difference between fillers and botox

Botox and fillers are both aesthetic treatments that are given by injection. Both include treatments that do not involve surgery. Although both are injected, these two procedures are very different. Let's get to know the difference between filler and botox first so you don't choose the wrong procedure.

What are the differences between filler and botox?

Before deciding which treatment to choose, first know what are the differences between fillers and Botox.

Purpose of the procedure

Botox injections are a reliable skin care treatment for wrinkles. Usually, wrinkles appear as a result of everyday facial expressions, from smiling, frowning, to crying.

Botox works by blocking nerve signals in the muscles and making them more relaxed. That way, the surface of the skin becomes smoother and firmer.

While fillers or what are often called dermal fillers, aim to fill in the soft tissue that is under the skin's surface to add volume to certain parts of the face. Usually used to add volume to the cheeks, lips, and around the mouth which are thinning due to aging.

Materials used

Botox uses a protein from the Clostridium Botolinum bacteria which will be injected into the skin. While fillers use several ingredients that have been approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration or the equivalent of BPOM in Indonesia, such as:

• Calcium hydroxupalatite (Radiesse), a mineral-like compound found in bones.
• Hyaluronic acid, an ingredient found in fluids and tissues in the body to increase skin elasticity.
• Polylactic acid, an ingredient that stimulates the skin to produce more collagen.
• Polyalkylimide, in the form of a transparent gel.
• Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres (PMMA), a semi-permanent filler

Resistance

Botox injections usually last 3 to 4 months after treatment. So, you will need to be repeated enough injections to maintain the results.

While the filler effect depends on the ingredients used. However, it usually has a longer yield than Botox. The time span is about 4 months to 2 years. However, just like Botox you still need further treatment to maintain the desired results.

Side effects

Botox has various side effects such as bruising on the skin that was injected, headaches, drooping eyelids, and redness and irritation of the eyes.

While fillers have more side effects, such as allergic reactions, bruising, infection, itching, numbness, redness, scarring, and wounds.