Can You Have Botox and Fillers at the Same Time?
Botox and dermal fillers are substances used to enhance the aspect of the face. Depending on the skin issues and condition and the desires of the patient, the plastic surgeon can recommend one type of filler or the other and even a combination of substances. These procedures are performed on people who want to address the signs of aging by correcting wrinkles, adding volume to the lips or cheeks and so on. These substances are injected with a fine needle in small quantities under the skin to correct the imperfections in the area.
Both Botox and fillers injections are very much in demand nowadays as the procedures don’t take long, are associated with just a slight, temporary discomfort and the results are long lasting.
Is Botox better than fillers?
There is one common misconception about dermal fillers and Botox. Some people tend to believe that the aesthetic procedures with the best results and very efficient in treating the signs of aging are performed with Botox. And hyaluronic acid (used in the fillers) is just an ingredient in skincare products.
In reality, both Botox and hyaluronic acid are substances that are injected under the skin to correct or augment certain areas. As a general rule, we use Botox for the areas where we want to relax the skin and hyaluronic acid in areas where we want to add volume.
Woman with Botox Injections
Botox and hyaluronic acid don’t have the same effect on the face, they are not substitutes for each other and we use them for different purposes. However, we can combine them to remodel the face when this is necessary. In other words, the two substances can complement each other, but not substitute each other.
The most important thing that we need to consider is that the injections with Botox and the fillers needs to be done in such a manner so the patient can achieve a natural result.
What is Botox?
Botox is the popular name for the Botulinum toxin – a neurotoxin produced by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. Yes, it is a “poison”, but one that can be used to enhance the aspect of your face!
Botox injections are a simple and efficient procedure to temporarily erase the fine lines and wrinkles from different areas of the face (crows’ feet, wrinkles on the forehead, between eyebrows, etc.). To sum it up, Botox is recommended to reduce the visibility of expression wrinkles (those wrinkles that occur as a result of repetitive use of facial muscles when smiling, frowning and so on).
How does Botox work?
Fine lines and wrinkles can occur in time with the repeated action of the facial muscles to create certain expressions. During the Botox injections treatment, we inject very small doses of the substance in the muscles. Botox has a neuromuscular blocking effect – as a result, the muscles are slightly paralyzed and can’t contract as they did before. Stopping the muscle contracture helps prevent wrinkles, the skin doesn’t fold, so we can say that it doesn’t age when under the effect of Botox.
It takes no longer than ten to fifteen minutes to get Botox and the patient doesn’t need a down time after the procedure. The effect becomes visible within a few days and can last for up to four months, even more in some cases.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is naturally found in the human body. Present in the skin and joints, hyaluronic acid has the role to keep them firm, hydrated and elastic. The hyaluronic acid filler is made in the lab, it is biodegradable and looks like a clear, transparent gel.
We use hyaluronic acid to fill in wrinkles and folds in the skin, to augment the lips and to correct the facial contour. The hyaluronic acid fillers facilitate restoring the loss of volume at the level of the face that occurs as we age.
Unlike Botox which blocks the contraction of the facial muscles, hyaluronic acid is used to fill in fine lines and wrinkles that are visible when the muscles of the face are relaxed. We target different areas of the face with hyaluronic acid fillers. At the same time, we can use the fillers to augment the lips or cheeks, remodel the facial contour, and to smooth down acne scars.
How long are the results visible after using fillers?
The procedure is simple, often takes about half an hour or less, and the results are visible immediately. The results achieved with the hyaluronic acid fillers are long-lasting, but not permanent. Different factors such as the patient’s age, skin type, lifestyle choices, muscular action, but also the area targeted and the technique used can impact the durability of the results. Most patients can enjoy the wrinkle filling effect of the hyaluronic acid injections for about one year. When the filler was used to augment the lips, the results can last between six to twelve months.
Final words
You can have Botox and fillers at the same time. Botox deals with the wrinkles and fine lines at the level of the forehead, between eyebrows and around the eyes. Hyaluronic acid injections are the ideal solution for wrinkles that occur around the mouth and in the cheeks area and can also be used to increase the volume of lips and cheeks.
The main difference between Botox and hyaluronic acid fillers is how they work. Botox inhibits the neurotransmitter release causing the muscles’ inability to contract and skin relaxation in the area. The hyaluronic acid fillers’ action is similar to the one of a sponge – it retains water at the level of the skin, keeping the skin firm and plump.
Using both Botox and hyaluronic acid fillers allows for a complete remodeling of the patient’s face and a very natural result. You can schedule a consultation with Dr. Essie Yates, board-certified plastic surgeon in Fort Lauderdale, to find out all the details of the procedure.