Botox and dermal fillers are the favorite non-invasive solutions for men and women wishing to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and achieve a youthful look. However, some people are not sure exactly how they differ. When you understand the difference between botox and dermal fillers, you can better determine which would be the best choice for you. Let’s take a look at botoxfirst. What is botox? Botox is a neuromodulator that relaxes the muscles that cause wrinkles to form. It is made of botulinum toxin, which is a natural, purified protein produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum. Before being used for cosmetic purposes, botox was used in the medical field to treat health issues such as facial spasms. How does it work? Botox treats dynamic wrinkles, which are formed when you make a facial expression such as frowning or squinting. It works by relaxing the muscles. If the muscles are no longer active, this will give the overlying skin a chance to smooth out, and also temporarily prevent new wrinkles from forming. Where can botox be used? Botox has been used extensively in the last few years to tackle vertical lines on the forehead, crow’s feet, and lines between the brows. A tiny needle is used to inject botox into the muscle. It is a quick treatment that takes about 15 minutes to perform. Downtime is minimal, but patients may experience some slight swelling and bruising after treatment. The results of botox last 3-6 months. Now let’s look at dermal fillers … What are dermal fillers? Dermal fillers are cosmetic injectables that are used to plump facial wrinkles and folds, and also to restore volume to the face. There are different categories of dermal fillers on the market, but dermal fillers that are made of hyaluronic acid (HA, are among the most popular, especially the Juvederm line. How do they work? Dermal fillers are injected into the skin using a very thinneedle; the treatment takes an average of 30 minutes. There is virtually no downtime, but as with botox, there may be some bruising and swelling. Depending on the type of filler used the results can last anywhere from 6-18 months. Dermal fillers are able to plump the skin thanks to the effects of HA. HA is a substance that occurs naturally in the body, and helps to keep the skin supple and firm. Less HA is produced as you age, and sagging, inelastic skin is the result, but dermal fillers can help in this regard, as the HA attracts water to it and therefore plumps the skin. Where can dermal fillers be used? Facial fillers can be used to correct different aspects of facial aging, and rejuvenate the appearance. They can be used to fill in facial lines, wrinkles, and creases, augment the cheeks, and add volume to the lips. They are ideal for use on nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and vertical lip lines. What’s the difference between botox and dermal fillers? While both botox and dermal fillers can be used for facial rejuvenation, they work in very different ways. Botox is most effective for moderate to severe crow’s feet and frown lines. It softens and reduces these lines by stopping muscle movement in the areas of the upper part of the face where dynamic wrinkles form. On the other hand, dermal fillers smooth wrinkles by creating a plumping effectand adding volume to the skin.They do not affect the muscles in any way. They are more beneficial on static wrinkles, as these can be seen even when your face is relaxed. Choosing between botox and dermal fillers will depend on the type of wrinkles you need treated. In some cases you may require treatment with both cosmetic injectables, in order to achieve the desired facial rejuvenation results. Fortunately, if you consult with your board certified plastic surgeon they can help you decide whether botox or dermal fillers would be the better option for you.