Botox and Dermal Fillers
Posted November 17, 2015
E.D. from Pittsburgh writes:
I have been thinking about doing some things lately to make myself look a little younger, but I am not ready for surgery. I have seen a lot of different ads for fillers and Botox as a way to achieve a more youthful look. Do they really work and how long do they really last? There seem to be so many new ones on the market now, how do I know what works best for me?
Dr. A: Thank you for your question. First, let me clarify the difference between Botox and dermal fillers. Both products are used to treat lines or wrinkles but they do so in very different ways. If lines are created by the contraction of a muscle (such as the forehead, between the eyebrows, or the lower crows feet around the eyes), then Botox is the best choice. If the lines are due to aging or weight loss then dermal fillers are the better choice.
There are also dermal fillers that work very well for adding volume to the cheeks and lips. Juvederm Voluma and Radiesse are both excellent for adding volume to the cheeks to rejuvenate them as well as provide a “lift” to the mid-face area. Both products last approximately one year with optimal treatment. Juvederm does an excellent job at adding volume to the lips and nasolabial folds (the vertical folds outside the corners of the mouth). We also carry Belotero that corrects fine lines, some of which may be found around the mouth or crows feet around the eyes. This product works well to soften and smooth the upper lip and fine lines noticed around the mouth.
If you’re thinking about doing something to look younger I encourage you to come into one of our three offices and meet with me, or our Physician Assistant, to discuss all the options available to you. We would be happy to partner with you and discuss a treatment plan that would meet your individual needs and give you the look you are trying to achieve.
