Botox VS Fillers: What is the Difference?
Botox and dermal fillers are types of cosmetic treatments that enhance one’s appearance. Many people in the UAE and all over the world go for Botox or dermal fillers to look young. These treatments are made popular by celebrities who seem to defy ageing.
Everything You Need to Know About Botox
There is a lot of information about Botox from various blogs and celebrity magazines; however, most of this information is not true. Botox is mainly used for 3 purposes: severe underarm sweating, cosmetic improvement, and muscle spasms. However, most people are familiar with its cosmetic purpose. Botox cosmetic contains several ingredients, such as botulinum toxin type A, sodium chloride, and human albumin.
Is Botox Safe?
Botox is a safe cosmetic treatment; however, Botox Dubai specialists don’t conduct the procedure for people under 18 years. Although Botox is safe, you shouldn’t undergo the treatment if you;
- Are allergic to any of the ingredients in the Botox
- Have a skin infection or any other condition in the area to be injected
- Have breathing conditions, such as asthma
- Have diseases that affect muscles, such as myasthenia gravis, Lou Gehrig’s disease, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome
- Have difficulty swallowing
- Plan to undergo surgery or have had facial surgery
- Have drooping eyelids
- Have weak forehead muscles
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How Does it Work?
Wrinkles in the skin occur perpendicular to a contracting muscle that is located below it. For instance, when the muscles on your forehead contract, the lines formed are horizontal because the forehead muscle is vertical.
The specialist injects Botox cosmetic into your muscles to block nerve impulses in those tissues. The muscle activity responsible for causing frown lines are reduced, which results in a smoother look. The skin does not get wrinkles easily because there is no contracting muscle underneath. The procedure takes about 10 minutes; however, you will see results after a few days. This is because Botox requires 2 to 4 days to attach to nerve endings, which activate the muscles to contract.
Is Botox Painful?
Injections hurt; however, the needles used for Botox Dubai procedures are very small, which minimizes pain.
Are There Any Side-Effects?
Botox has several side-effects, such as pain at the injection site, redness and swelling, bruising, and bleeding. Several of these symptoms are an indication of an allergic reaction to the treatment. Other symptoms include fatigue, neck pain, and dry mouth. Some people also get droopy eyelids, numbness, muscle spasms, migration of the substance, and twitching.
What are Fillers?
Dermal fillers are gel-like substances injected under the skin to smooth lines, restore lost volume, enhance facial contours, and soften creases. Although dermal fillers are popularly known as wrinkle fillers, they do more than that.
Dermal fillers smooth out lines around the mouth and nose, such as smile lines, parentheses, and marionette lines. Reduces and restores volume to sunken temples or cheeks. They also plump and improve the appearance of lips, improve symmetry, and reduce chin creases.
What Ingredients are in Fillers?
The products used by dermal fillers Dubai specialists are all approved. Dermal fillers are grouped according to their compositions. The Hyaluronic acid present in fillers occurs naturally, and it can also be found in your skin. It keeps your skin hydrated and plump. Dermal fillers made with Hyaluronic Acid are gel-like and soft, and they last between 6 to 12 months before your body naturally absorbs it.
Some fillers are also made from Calcium Hydroxylapatite, which also occurs naturally and is found in our bones. The calcium particles are reduced to microscopic levels and are mixed with a smooth gel. The composition of this filler is thicker than the Hyaluronic Acid one, and it lasts up to 12 months. Calcium Hydroxylapatite promotes collagen production and it is ideal for smoothening deeper lines.
You can also get fillers with Poly-L-lactic Acid which is a biodegradable synthetic substance. It is also biocompatible, meaning you can use it in your body. This acid has been utilized for many years in medicine; for instance, it has been used in dissolvable stitches. These substances boost collagen production and help to smooth lines. The effects last up to 2 years.
What are the Risks?
Before going for dermal fillers Dubai, your specialist will explain the risks involved in the procedure. Severe complications are rare; however, this depends on the type used. Some risks include;
- Asymmetry
- Acne-like eruptions
- Bleeding and bruising from the injection area
- Lumps
- Scarring and wounds
- Infections
- Redness
- Skin rash and itching
- Blindness
- Over or under-correction of wrinkles
- Necrosis.
When Should You Not Get Fillers?
Although dermal fillers can help to smooth deep lines, they are not ideal for everyone. You shouldn’t get fillers if you’re allergic to any of the substances used. You should also stay away from dermal fillers if you are breastfeeding or expectant. There are no studies showing the safety of fillers for expectant or nursing women. It is better to be safe than take irreversible risks.
If you have viral, bacterial, or fungal infection on the injection site, you should not go for this treatment. There is a possibility of these infections to happen post-injection. Bacterial infections are more common compared to other types.
If you are one of those people who fear needles, you should relax because dermal fillers don’t hurt, you will feel minimal pain or a pinch. This procedure takes steps, but the physician will apply a numbing cream to reduce pain.
Botox and dermal fillers are both cosmetic treatments administered via injections. They are minimally invasive as they do not include surgery. Before going for these treatments, you should be aware of the risks and choose a qualified physician.
