Over the last decade, cosmetic injectables have been growing rapidly in popularity. Certainly Anti-wrinkle injections has long taken the number 1 spot, but Dermal fillers are fast catching up.
In this article, we are going to take a closer look at both Dermal Fillers and Anti-wrinkle injections and weigh them up against one another so that you can determine which is best for you.
The fact is, knowing the differences between both options is critical, particularly when deciding on which is the most viable cosmetic for your skin type, needs, and requirements.
Here’s everything you need to know…
Defining Anti-wrinkle injections and Dermal Fillers
Before we can get started on comparing the two, first let’s define what Anti-wrinkle injections and Dermal fillers are.
What is Anti-wrinkle injections?
The important distinction to make is that Anti-wrinkle injections is actually a brand of a specific neurotoxin named botulinum. There are four main approved neurotoxins that are most commonly used and these are (but are not limited to):
- Anti-wrinkle injections
- Dysport
- Xeomin
- Jeauveau.2
There are others that are used widely across the globe, but let’s not get distracted from the main purpose of this article; we are going to focus on what botulinum toxin injections are used for and how they compare to Dermal fillers.
So, how does it work?
Anti-wrinkle injections treatments, or any other approved neurotoxin work by temporarily weakening or ‘paralysing’ the muscles in the face. These injections are best when targeting certain areas of facial expressions, e.g.,
- Frown lines
- Crow’s feet
- The lines between the eyebrows (aka 11’s)
Anti-wrinkle injections is most commonly used to treat forehead wrinkles around facial expressions, though there are other non-cosmetic uses for such injectables, including:
- Injections in the armpits to help prevent hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).
- And injections in the jaw muscles used to prevent bruxism (teeth grinding).
When used for cosmetic purposes, you can typically see visible results from Anti-wrinkle injections after and between 2 and 10-days (depending on your individual skin type and the toxin used).
What are Dermal Fillers (Soft Tissue Fillers)?
Dermal fillers (also called soft tissue fillers), are gel-like products that are used to fill the folds and creases that develop in the skin, replenishing lost volume. They can also be used for contouring the face as well.
What materials are used in fillers?
The key ingredient of dermal fillers is Hyaluronic acid, which is a polysaccharide that occurs naturally in the body. This acts as a lubricating agent and natural cushion for our joints, nerves, skin, eyes, and hair.
When utilised in skincare and cosmetics, hyaluronic acid serves as a moisture binder, attaching itself to the moisture in your skin cells, while also drawing moisture from the air and holding it, thus making those skin cells more plump.
Dermal filler treatment can be made up of a variety of different materials, both temporary and permanent, and are used to fill lines.
The most common, approved fillers include:
- Restylane
- Juvederm
- Belotero
- And calcium fillers such as Radiesse.
These are the most common fillers, and while Anti-wrinkle injections and Dermal fillers are commonly used in conjunction with one another, they do work differently and are typically used to target different lines and wrinkles in the face.
At what age is it safe to get Dermal fillers?
Experts say that the best time to fill your dermis and remove age spots and wrinkles is around your mid-20’s.
The fact is, the skin deteriorates over time and this begins after the age of 25. As such, having regular maintenance injections from that age is an option.
Using Dermal fillers before the age of 50 is optimal, though that’s not to say you cannot or should not use Dermal fillers after the age of 50.
Fillers Vs. Anti-wrinkle injections
Now that you have a clearer idea as to what Anti-wrinkle injections and fillers are, let’s compare the two. So, what’s the difference between Anti-wrinkle injections and fillers?
How effective either Dermal fillers or Anti-wrinkle injections is, largely depends on what it is that your needs are. For example: Anti-wrinkle injections injections can be used as a preventative step (i.e., before you even notice any deep-set wrinkles form in your appearance).
It’s not uncommon for people to have Anti-wrinkle injections in their mid-twenties as a preventative measure. Simply put, if you want to prevent wrinkles from forming for as long as possible, Anti-wrinkle injections can be used as such.
Dermal fillers on the other hand, are commonly used under the eyes, in the cheeks, and the jawline. As such, deciding on which product to use (Dermal filler treatments or Anti-wrinkle injections), depends on the area of your face that you are most concerned with treating.
As a rule of thumb:
- Anti-wrinkle injections is best used for expression lines (working on those crease points where muscles in the fact contract).
- Dermal fillers are ideal when used to soften static wrinkles (targeting any deep lines that are present in the face, even when your facial muscles are not contracting).
How quickly can you see results with fillers?
A common question that people ask is how quickly you see results when using Anti-wrinkle injections and fillers? Anti-wrinkle injections and fillers work differently and so the results vary. This also depends on you as an individual, the quality of the product itself, and how well it is administered. In any case, we will share some averages for your reference.
- Anti-wrinkle injections: Typically speaking, you can see the results of Anti-wrinkle injections treatment in as little as 3 to 4-days. That being said, most patients tend to have to wait at least 10 to 14-days to see the full results. Wait for 14-days and if you don’t seem to notice any different, contact your licenced Anti-wrinkle injections specialist.
- Dermal fillers: Dermal filler results vary, but most patients can expect to see positive results within 1 to 2-days. Of course, make sure that only FDA approved fillers are used, and that you go with a licenced professional.
How long do fillers last?
Another common question, and quite an important one, is how long do the results of Anti-wrinkle injections and fillers last?
- Anti-wrinkle injections: You can expect the physical results of Anti-wrinkle injections to last anywhere between 3 and 6-months. This all depends on your skin, the quality of product used, how well the Anti-wrinkle injections injections were administered, and your lifestyle.
- Dermal fillers: Some FDA approved fillers injected can last anywhere between 6 and 12-months, while others can last upwards of 2 to 5-years! Longevity is the big difference Between Anti-wrinkle injections and a Dermal filler.
How much do fillers cost?
How much do Anti-wrinkle injections and fillers cost?
The cost varies significantly from country to country. The main point of this article is to compare the two treatments, so we will worry less about the exact costs, and more about the cost-differences between the two:
Anti-wrinkle injections, on average, costs anywhere between $250 to $600 per area.
Fillers, on average, range anywhere from $600 to $1,250.
Again, these aren’t exact figures and the price will vary depending on where you are based, the quality of the product used, and which practice you decide to use.
Another factor that can influence the total cost of your Anti-wrinkle injections and fillers include how advanced the wrinkles are and thus how much product will be required to produce the results that you desire.
As you can see, Anti-wrinkle injections is the cheaper of the two. This is largely attributed to the fact that the results can take longer to be seen and do not tend to last as long. Dermal fillers on the other hand can produce almost instant results, while lasting a significant amount longer.
What are the possible side effects of using Anti-wrinkle injections and Dermal filler treatments?
Possible side effects of Anti-wrinkle injections:
- Pain, swelling, or bruising of the injection site
- Headache and/or flu-like symptoms
- Droopy eyelid or crooked eyebrows
- Crooked smile / drooling
- Dry eyes
- Excessive tearing of the eyes
Please note that these possible side effects and complications are very rare. In fact, provided you work with a reputable cosmetic professional, you should not have to worry. In any case, it’s important that you are aware of the potential risks involved.
If you experience any of the following after receiving Anti-wrinkle injections, be certain to call your doctor immediately:
- Muscle weakness
- Vision impairment problems
- Difficulty speaking or swallowing
- Issues with breathing
- A loss of bladder control
Possible side effects of Dermal filler procedures:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Pain
- Bruising
- Itching
- Rash forming
- Infection
- Leakage of filler through the injection site
Again, these potential side effects are rare and tend only to occur when people use unlicensed sources and/or unapproved products.
The fact is, the most likely side effect that you will experience from either Anti-wrinkle injections and other treatments like Dermal fillers is a little bit of bruising and mild pain at the injection site – which is exactly the same as what you can expect from any other injection.
Again, the absolute priority of yours must be selecting a qualified doctor and cosmetic specialist to treat you. Many of the above ‘side effects’ are not actually side effects of the products used, but reactions to poorly administered injections.
Are there benefits to combining Anti-wrinkle injections and Dermal fillers?
While both procedures share their similarities, Anti-wrinkle injections and Dermal fillers correct different types of wrinkle.
- Anti-wrinkle injections relax dynamic wrinkles (which are caused by repetitive facial expressions such as frowning and smiling).
- Dermal filler is used to smooth out the more static wrinkles that can be visible even when at rest.
By combining both procedures, you can address multiple areas of the fact at the same time – Anti-wrinkle injections focusing on the eyes and forehead, with Dermal fillers going for the lower areas of the face.
When used in conjunction with one another, it can even prolong the results of both treatments. For example: the hyaluronic acid uses in many fillers can break down faster when applied in areas of the face that tend to be very active. However, when Anti-wrinkle injections is used first to relax muscle movement, the acid from the fillers will be far more likely to break down as fast, thus prolonging the results.
Which treatment is best for you? Should you choose both?
In any case, just because you can use both treatments, it doesn’t mean that you should.
Ultimately, before making any decisions, you should speak with your licenced dermatologist and see what they recommend.
While it does depend on your needs and requirements, your skin type and lifestyle will play a big role in whether or not one is better suited to you than the other – or if both can be used to benefit you.
Your dermatologist will put your health and safety above all – as should you. It could be that neither procedures are right for you – in which case, you will be advised accordingly on alternative cosmetic treatments.
Assuming that you are safe to use either (or both), you can decide on which is best with the following recap:
- Choose Anti-wrinkle injections if: you have noticeable, dynamic wrinkles such as Crow’s feet that you would like to reduce.
- Choose Dermal fillers if: you have static wrinkles (lines and folds in the skin) that you would like to alleviate, thus creating a fuller and more voluminous face.
- Choose both if: if both of the above apply to you and want to correct dynamic wrinkles and treat smile lines, while reducing the presence of static wrinkles in the lower face, then Anti-wrinkle injections and Dermal fillers can be used together.
Conclusion
We cannot stress enough how important it is that you only seek either Anti-wrinkle injections or Dermal fillers from a licenced professional.
Attempting to do this by yourself, or seeking out cheaper treatment from an unlicensed source, is a tremendous risk – which is where we come in!
Contact us today and find out more about how we, as licenced and reputable dermatologists, can help restore your appearance, preserve your youth, and do so absent risk.