The rise of cosmetic injectable treatments to battle the signs of ageing is no secret and non-surgical procedures are now widely acceptable, affordable and accessible to those that are suitable for treatment. Botox and fillers are the most common and well-known cosmetic injectable treatments for those looking to turn back the hands of time. However, would you know the difference between the two, and which would be most effective for you?

Before we explain the treatment itself, it’s worth knowing that Botox is actually a brand name, not the substance used in the injectable treatment. Botulinum Toxin Type A is the correct name for the substance used in wrinkle smoothing and has been used in medicine for over 30 years. It has been used to treat muscle spasms in children, bladder weakness and for hyperhidrosis (excess sweating) but is most famously known for the treatment of dynamic wrinkles in the upper face. Botulinum Toxin Type A temporarily relaxes the muscles responsible for creating dynamic wrinkles (the wrinkles that appear when we make facial expressions), such as crow’s feet and forehead wrinkles and the treatment itself takes around 10 minutes. It’s fairly painless and the results can last up to around 4 months. Wrinkle smoothing injections can produce excellent results and many women in the UK undergo this regular treatment as part of their skin care regime.

Dermal fillers are also injectable substances, but rather than treating dynamic wrinkles, they are used to treat static wrinkles, hollows in the cheeks and temples, thinning lips and sagging cheeks. Most dermal fillers consist of Hyaluronic Acid, a naturally occurring sugar within the body, responsible for youthful and firm skin. As we age, the hyaluronic acid in our skin depletes, leading to wrinkles, furrows, lack of volume and sagging skin. Injecting these, specific areas with dermal fillers not only immediately increases the volume under the skin, but can also assist in the skin’s natural collagen production. Dermal fillers typically treat lower face issues such as nasal-labial folds, thinning and wrinkling lips, hollow cheeks and can even be used in non-surgical nose and chin re-shaping. Temples can also be treated with dermal fillers as well as the tear troughs under the eyes. As with winkle smoothing injections, dermal fillers are fairly quick to administer, however, there can be some bruising and swelling following treatment, so it’s worth taking this in to consideration when timing your treatment. Typically, dermal fillers can last between 4 months and a year, depending on the product used, the areas of the face treated and the lifestyle you lead (smoking, sun-worshipping and excessive exercise can mean that you may need more frequent treatments).
If you are unsure which treatment would be right for you, it’s worth knowing that at DrMediSpa our team of medically trained professionals can advise you on the most effective way for you to turn back the hands of time in a full medical consultation.

For more information on wrinkle smoothing injection and dermal fillers, contact Dr Somji and the team at DrMediSpa in Loughton, Essex.