The Differences between Dermal Fillers and Wrinkle Relaxers
Do you have friends who’ve shared their personal experiences with cosmetic injectables? Are you starting to seriously consider getting these treatments yourself? In recent years there has been a major surge in the popularity of cosmetic injectables, and with this surge in popularity comes an increased awareness of cosmetic procedures.
That said, there is still often a bit of confusion about cosmetic injectables, with particular focus on what the key differences might be between the types of injectables.
Dermal fillers and wrinkle relaxers are two of the most widely requested cosmetic treatments. Knowing the differences between the two can help you to best determine which one may be the right choice for you. Both offer an effective solution for helping you with the signs of ageing, but in very different ways.
What are anti-wrinkle injections?
According to MIRA cosmetic clinic, you can think of anti-wrinkle injections, or wrinkle relaxers, as being a solution for treating dynamic facial lines. That is, the lines that appear on your face as a result of movement in your facial muscles. Some of the areas that anti-wrinkle injections can treat include frown and forehead lines, dimpled chins and crow’s feet.
So just what is inside of the wrinkle relaxing injection? Botulinum toxin, better known as Botox, is a naturally-occurring protein that can stop muscles from contracting when injected into them.
When used on facial muscles, wrinkle relaxers work by temporarily relaxing the facial muscles that are responsible for wrinkles and fine lines on the face. Some results may be seen right away, but the full effect of the injections can take several weeks to appear. The results from anti-wrinkle injections can vary between individuals but typically will last between 3 and six months.
What are dermal fillers?
Hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers are used primarily to treat the static lines and wrinkles on the face. They can also be used to enhance and restore volume to enhance the way some of your facial features look. Where wrinkle relaxers are used to stop the contraction of facial muscles, fillers add volume to existing lines or features. As we age, the amount of collagen in our skin decreases, which can result in our skin becoming thinner and much less able to repair itself. As our natural stores of hyaluronic acid are depleted with age, we see wrinkles, folds and thinning or sunken features start to appear.
Injecting dermal fillers can add volume, which then in turn leaves you looking rejuvenated and youthful. Results can last between 6 and eighteen months, but can vary between individuals.
The similarities between dermal fillers and wrinkle relaxers
Both filler treatments and wrinkle relaxer treatments involve injection a naturally-occurring substance. There are no foreign chemicals used in these treatments. Both procedures are non-invasive and quick; they can be completed in under an hour in a clinic setting. Treatments are often completed in mere minutes, with patients being free to return to their workday immediately upon completion of the treatment.
Only minor discomfort is expected with both treatment types, despite both being delivered via an injection. The needles are very small for both treatments, and a local numbing agent is used to minimise the discomfort for patients.
Can dermal fillers and wrinkle relaxers be combined?
As the two treatments address very different concerns, it is feasible to combine the two in order to meet your overall cosmetic goals. It’s important to discuss any concerns you have, along with your aesthetic goals, with your doctor. This will help to ensure you are both on the same page about your expectation from the treatments.
Some patients can actually benefit from a combination of both dermal fillers and Botox, while others may simply need one or the other to attain their cosmetic goals.
As an overview, wrinkle relaxer injections are used to address dynamic wrinkles on your face, while dermal fillers are typically used to address static wrinkles, which are those wrinkles you can see without facial movement. Dermal fillers can also, of course, be used to enhance the volume of lips, cheeks and other facial features.