Anyone without any experience with injectable treatments or dermal fillers might think they’re all created equal. They reduce the appearance of wrinkles, yes, but there’s more to know that just the results. If you’re interested in your own nonsurgical treatment with injectables to reduce some of the signs of aging from your skin, you have more choices to make than just showing up. The first step is your consultation with your physician, who will explain the procedure and your options. You may hear the words Botox and Juvederm, which are two popular injectable treatment options. However, they aren’t one and the same. Here’s what you have to know about the two hottest brands in injectable treatments today.
Botox: The Top Injectable Neurotoxin
The brand Botox has become somewhat of a household name but is only one of several types of injectable treatments known as neurotoxins. Despite the scary name, these are safe treatments with only rare side effects ever reported and fast-acting results that kick in within just a few days of injection. Other brands besides Botox include Dysport and Xeomin, with more expected for FDA approval in the near future. Botox itself came onto the market with its FDA approval in 2002 for the treatment of frown lines and has spent more than a decade as a top choice among patients. It was recently given additional approval by the FDA for the treatment of crow’s feet.
So what do neurotoxins like Botox do? These injectables work by relaxing the muscles of the face in the injection area. This will reduce facial wrinkles caused by the movement of those facial muscles. These types of wrinkles are known as dynamic wrinkles and include such expression lines as frown lines and smile lines. Treatment effects from Botox can last 3 to 4 months and can be a good choice for first-time patients to injectable treatments. A Botox procedure is nonsurgical and involves few side effects, just some faint redness and/or swelling that will subside within a few days’ time. Additionally, patients are not required to spend any downtime afterwards, but can continue their daily activities immediately following their procedure.
Consult with your physician if you’re interested in Botox treatments, as he or she can help determine if you are eligible for an injectable procedure. If the idea of a muscle relaxant isn’t your favorite one, there are other injectable procedures out there that take a different approach, like the dermal filler Juvederm.
Juvederm: The Top Injectable Dermal Filler
The goal of dermal fillers is to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in specific areas, just like injectable neurotoxins. The difference lies in how this is done. Instead of temporarily paralyzing muscles in parts of the face, dermal fillers do just what it sounds like: they fill in areas to add plumpness and volume while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Many dermal fillers today, including Juvederm, are made of hyaluronic acid, which is a complex sugar found in all mammals, and has significantly changed these treatments. Previously, many fillers were made of collagen, which didn’t last very long and often caused allergic reactions in patients. Hyaluronic acid is a much safer alternative and gives patients much more natural and longer lasting results.
Brands like Juvederm have capitalized on the health benefits that hyaluronic acid has for the skin. Aside from plumping the skin and retaining water like a sponge to stay that way, it is also involved in the skin’s transport of essential nutrients to healthful cells. Not only will your hyaluronic acid dermal filler give you the volume you need to keep your face looking youthful, but it will also boost your skin’s tone and texture to make you look healthier too.
Juvederm is the leading brand in this category, with subtypes like Juvederm Ultra and Juvederm Ultra Plus also available. It is a smooth gel filler that gives you a smoother, more natural look. Patients often feel rejuvenated right away with these procedures, especially once they get a peek in the mirror! The results are nearly instant and there is little downtime involved. While some bruising and swelling may occur, most patients are able to immediately resume their normal activities with the help of some light makeup, so you can have your procedure and get right back to running errands, running the board room, or picking the kids up from school. Because it is based on natural compounds, it is safe for the body to gradually absorb this filler and then safe to have follow-up treatments when needed. If you choose this type of injectable and the Juvederm brand, you’ll have to choose between Juvederm Ultra for erasing lighter wrinkles and Juvederm Ultra Plus for more severe wrinkles. There is also a newer type of Juvederm called Juvederm Voluma XC which has been FDA-approved for the treatment of volume loss in the cheeks.
Consultation with your physician prior to your treatment will help you determine if you are eligible for injectable treatments like Botox and Juvederm, or if another course of treatment would be better for you. There are plenty of options available to help you rejuvenate your skin, both surgical and nonsurgical, so don’t be afraid to ask all of your questions in order to make the most informed decision possible.
Where Can I Get Botox or Juvederm Treatments?
If injectable neurotoxins or dermal fillers sound like what your skin needs to look and feel its best, you’ll want to discuss your options with a physician who offers and is well versed in both procedures. Contact the office of Hamilton Facial Plastic Surgery, located at 11725 N. Illinois Street #545 in Carmel, Indiana, by phone at (317) 859-3810 to make an appointment for a consultation. Dr. Mark M. Hamilton, M.D., FACS, is a double board certified plastic surgeon offering many injectable treatments as well as other nonsurgical and surgical procedures to help you create the ideal look for yourself. He is a recognized leader in the field and has been acknowledged as one of the Top Physicians in the United States by the Consumers Research Council of America for his work. You may also consult with Elizabeth Mangis, R.N., Dr. Hamilton’s Aesthetic Nurse Specialist whose work focuses on Botox and dermal filler injections. She is a trusted expert in her field and can offer the experience and attention you deserve as you choose and undergo the procedure for you. Contact Hamilton Facial Plastic Surgery today to begin your personal rejuvenation process.