BOTOX® vs. Soft Tissue Fillers

Many options are available if you want to enhance your appearance without surgical treatments. In fact, these non-surgical aesthetic treatments have been growing in popularity over the years. In particular, the use of cosmetic injections has been especially popular. When you meet with a plastic surgeon in Orange County at our practice, we can discuss these matter with you in more detail. Let's briefly go over the basics of these injectable treatments right now.

About Cosmetic Injections

Cosmetic injections refers to a whole set of facial cosmetic surgery options that use special solutions or compounds to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. The results of these treatments last for a few months, and repeat treatment can be performed easily. There is no downtime, no scarring, and no chance of major complications as there is in surgery. This may explain why so many people are turning to these injectable treatments every year.

There are two different kinds of cosmetic injections available: dermal fillers and muscle relaxants, the most well known of which is BOTOX® cosmetic. Let's look at both of these right now.

What are dermal fillers and how do they work?

Dermal fillers are cosmetic injections that are used to enhance the volume of the injection site. These fillers essentially fill in deep lines, wrinkles, and hollows of the face. Some of the better known dermal fillers on the market include Restylane®, collagen, and Sculptra®. Since there are many options for dermal filler injections, the best option for you can be determined during your aesthetic consultation.

What is BOTOX® cosmetic and how does it work?

BOTOX® injections in Orange County differ from dermal filler injections in an important way. Rather than filling the injection site and adding volume, BOTOX® cosmetic will stop the muscle contractions in a given area. By reducing muscle contractions, the wrinkles caused by those muscle contractions will fade.

How do these cosmetic injections compare to surgery?

In general, both dermal fillers and BOTOX® cosmetic injections provide results that are comparable to face lift, brow lift, and other facial rejuvenation surgeries. That said, sometimes a patient's aesthetic goals are better met through the use of surgery rather than cosmetic injections. For example, if a patient has issues with the drooping or sagging of their eyelids, that can only be effectively addressed through surgery (a blepharoplasty/eyelift, to be exact).

Which of these options is the right one for me?

This is, not surprisingly, something that cannot be answered over the internet. When you visit our Orange County facial plastic surgery and skin care center, we will be sure to go over all of your options for effective care. Rest assured that all options are on the table and we will go over them with you in full detail so you can make an informed decision.

Learn More About Dermal Fillers and Cosmetic Injections

Both BOTOX® injections and dermal fillers can work wonders for you. The best part: no scarring, no downtime, and excellent results. If you would like more information on BOTOX® injections and dermal fillers, be sure to contact our plastic surgery centers in Orange and Placentia today.