How Not to Overdo Botox and Fillers
Some of the most popular cosmetic treatments on the dermatology market today are injectables like Botox and dermal fillers. These treatments target fine lines and wrinkles on the face to keep skin looking youthful. But often, people are concerned that the results from Botox or fillers will be glaringly obvious. Here are a few tips to keep things discreet and keep your skin looking natural.
What to Know About Properly Using Botox
What Do Botox and Dermal Fillers Do?
In short, Botox and dermal fillers are the ultimate anti-aging treatments. Botox is an injectable that has been around for decades and is FDA approved to treat wrinkles and fine lines in certain areas on the face. Using a prescription solution that is injected into the wrinkle, Botox’s active ingredients “relax” the surrounding muscles. Since these muscles contract — hundreds of times a day — while making common facial expressions, the skin becomes creased, and eventually, the wrinkle remains on the face.
Once a Botox treatment is used, it gently paralyzes the muscle that’s causing the wrinkle in the first place, and the wrinkle itself eventually smoothes out. Botox is most often used on forehead lines, frown lines between the eyes, and “crow’s feet” around the side eye area. While the effects are temporary, they can last up to six months.
Dermal fillers have similar results, but work a bit differently. Fillers use hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin cells and boost the skin’s volume. Valuable hydration is lost in multiple layers of the skin during the aging process and dermal fillers can make skin look plumper, brighter, and younger. While fillers can be used on wrinkles, they’re also very effective to help boost volume in sagging areas, fill in thinning or wrinkled lips, and reduce undereye bags or hollows. Dermal fillers aren’t permanent, but can last anywhere from six months to 18 months.
The Right Treatment
To keep things looking natural when investing in Botox or dermal fillers, you’ll need to ensure you choose the right treatment. Botox is pretty straightforward but fillers vary by brand. Even knowing which option is most suitable for your specific skin condition can be tricky. The Juvederm dermal filler is arguably the most popular filler on the market, typically used for lip augmentation and nasolabial folds.
The Restylane dermal filler works best on the corners of the mouth and hollows under the eyes. The Perlane dermal filler helps restore cheek volume or decrease the appearance of nasolabial folds. You shouldn’t make the decision of which treatment to get on your own, but rather work with a board-certified provider.
Find the Right Provider
Anyone administering Botox or dermal fillers should be certified, with extensive experience and a portfolio of before-and-after photos of real patients. Anyone can claim to administer Botox or filler treatments, so do your research. The right provider will make recommendations based on your specific concerns, administer the treatment expertly, and monitor your results.
Be wary of scams. Often, advertisements for deeply discounted Botox or dermal filler treatments make their way around. But to ensure the product is safe, don’t jump on any treatment that seems too inexpensive to be legitimate.
Contact The Dermatology Group
If you’re in the Cincinnati, Ohio area and want to try Botox or dermal fillers with a board-certified specialist, contact The Dermatology Group today for an appointment.