Botox® and Dermal Fillers: Everything You Should Know
Botox® and dermal fillers are often discussed in the same sentence and trained in the same classes, but their uses are very different. In that respect, it’s important that you know the difference properly so that you can choose the right procedure for your own needs.
What Exactly is Botox®?
Essentially, Botox® stands for the first FDA-approved brand of botulinum toxin, produced by the bacteria clostridium botulinum. It can act as a neurotoxin blocking certain nerves, which is why it has “toxin” in its name. Botox® is widely used for medical purposes as it’s refined enough and administered in small doses so that there’s no health danger.
Botox® is injected in targeted areas with the purpose of blocking the activity of certain nerves that we don’t need in our daily lives. The practice of using Botox® in cosmetic medicine has proven to be very effective when it comes to relaxing the lines and wrinkles, and even lifting the muscles. For instance, Botox® face slimming can be achieved by partially blocking the muscles of the targeted area.
Similarly, Botox® can be used to manage excessive sweating and migraines and targeted scalp areas. The benefits usually last between three and six months.
Potential Botox® Side-Effects
Botox® side-effects are truly rare, but it’s possible to experience slight bruising and tenderness at the injection spot. Some people have reported a headache on the treatment’s first day. On much rarer occasions, patients could experience flu-like symptoms, and/or find it difficult to swallow.
Who is Eligible for Botox®?
In general, patients who are in their late 20s or older can make the most out of Botox® as a cosmetic treatment. Younger patients should wait a bit as they usually don’t have the “wrinkles in motion” that happen with age. However, pregnant ladies should avoid Botox® as well as patients suffering from certain neurological conditions such as myasthenia gravis, for example.
What Can Botox® Correct?
Botox® is an ideal short-term solution when it comes to lifting and relaxing lines and wrinkles caused by muscle movements. These particular signs of aging are also known as dynamic wrinkles or expression lines.
The most common area that one can target with Botox® is the upper face. Facial expressions such as smiling, squinting, frowning, etc. often lead to the more obvious appearance of expression lines around the upper face. It also can include between the brows and in the forehead. For instance, using Botox® for crow’s feetaround the eyes and injecting Botox® for 11 lines in the central brows, are some of the most popular Botox®-related treatments precisely because facial expressions increase wrinkles in these areas because these areas can flash the wrinkles on and off hundreds of times a day.
Of course, other areas of the face can be efficiently targeted as well, which leaves the use of Botox® for upper lip wrinkles and Botox® for chin dimpling at the top of the list when it comes to the main reasons why patients turn to this procedure.
However, keep in mind that Botox® cannot affect static lines/wrinkles. These occur due to the natural process of aging which involves sagging and loss of plumpness. Static wrinkles are most commonly found in the cheek, lower face, neck, and jaw area of the patient.
The Cost of Botox®
Keep in mind that there’s no specific price for Botox® injection. If you’re looking for the best results and safest procedure, it’s important to do your research and put trust into renowned clinics and professionals who have a history of top-quality work in this field. The best and fairest way to price Botox® is per active unit, not per area. In that respect, you might be looking to pay anywhere between $300 and $700, depending on the location, experience, and target area.
What Exactly Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are prescription, sterile medical injectable products meant to improve the plumpness of the targeted area by adding volume to the tissue. There are many kinds of dermal fillers. The most popular include hyaluronic acid fillers as well as collagen-stimulating fillers such as Sculptra, and some permanent fillers which are much riskier and should not be used. One might even consider fat transfer to be a kind of dermal filler.
Dermal fillers are a great solution, for targeting specific areas on the skin that have lost their volume or simply revitalize the skin. Different consistency and filler forms are used to improve the efficiency of the procedure depending on the treated area. With constant technological advancements in cosmetology, dermal fillers are only getting more effective.
This is not a permanent solution but it does last for up to 18 months. It’s also possible to reverse the effect of dermal fillers sooner.
Potential Dermal Fillers Side-Effects
Just like with Botox®, side-effects of dermal fillers are rare when injected by a skilled provider. Patients might experience side-effects related to the injection itself such as swelling, tenderness, and bruising. On very rare occasions, vascular occlusion could occur. More serious side-effects such as nerve damage, allergies, and infections are extremely rare
Who is Eligible for Dermal Fillers?
In case you’re pregnant, have a known allergy to certain filler ingredients, or have already experienced negative reactions to dermal fillers, you should avoid this cosmetic procedure. Make sure to do your research and opt for a renowned filler brand if you want to get the best possible results with minimal chance of side-effects.
What Can Dermal Fillers Correct?
Essentially, dermal fillers are designed to fight the first signs of aging by filling, as the name suggests. Different kinds of dermal fillers target different issues and problem areas.
The most common uses of dermal fillers include the following:
Plumping up thinner lips
Enhancing/filling shallow face areas
Minimizing (or completely removing) the under eye shadow/wrinkles caused by the lower eyelid
Minimizing the appearance of filling in scars
Softening or filling in static wrinkles (most often in the lower face)
Contrary to Botox®, which is used to treat dynamic wrinkles and lines, dermal fillers can smooth out static wrinkles that usually occur due to the lack of collagen and elasticity loss. These static lines are commonly found around the mouth and cheeks.
The Cost of Dermal Fillers
Just like with Botox®, the price of dermal fillers will vary from place to place. The range of different kinds of fillers also affects the end price, together with the area you want to treat. For instance, Juvederm is one of the most popular filler brands, and the cost per syringe ranges from $500 to $700. However, if you’re looking for full-face treatments, you should be expected to pay anywhere between $1500 and $3500.
It can be very tempting to look for cheaper Botox® and dermal filler services but remember that these are usually not performed by professional and experienced medical practitioners, which makes the safety and efficiency of the procedure rather questionable.
Key Differences Between Botox® and Dermal Fillers
Botox® and Dermal Filler Training
We at PracticalCME want to make sure that your clients have the best possible service and experience upon visiting your clinic. This is why we offer comprehensive training courses for injecting Botox® and dermal fillers. Aside from doctors (MD’s and DO’s), we also provide Botox® training for physicians and Botox® training for nurses. In the case that you’re a licensed medical practitioner outside of the US, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for more information.
You can count on PracticalCME to provide a live training course for a maximum of six medical providers per course across the country. Everyone at the course will be provided with 20 units of real Botulinum Toxin and 1cc of Juvederm dermal filler.
It’s also possible to combine fast track online learning with live training if that fits your needs better. You’ll be able to start watching online material immediately.
At PracticalCME, you can earn 10 AMA/AAFP CME credits through Botox® CME and Dermal Filler CME training on the same date.
You will also learn everything about Botox® and popular dermal fillers and how to use them. In addition, the training course will also provide you with a guide on how to market your new services the best.
