What is the difference between fillers and botox?

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Thanh Van - Doctor of Internal Medicine - Dermatology - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital.

Fillers and botox are two non-surgical cosmetic methods that many people choose to erase the signs of aging. Although they are the same two injection methods to rejuvenate the skin, fillers and botox have many differences. The article will analyze the difference between filler injection and botox.

1.1 What is filler injection? Filler is the name of the filler in general, containing Hyaluronic Acid. Filler injections will make the skin smoother. In addition, people also inject filler to shape some points on the face (without surgery) such as filler injection to lift the nose, filler injection to create baby cheeks, filler injection to fill lips. Unlike botox, which inhibits wrinkle formation, fillers help fill in wrinkles and create thick tissue beneath wrinkles to help the face become smoother.
Some commonly used fillers in cosmetology include: Juvederm, Radiesse, Sculptra, Restylane, Teosyal.
1.2 What are botox injections? Botulium toxin (Botox) is the name of the essence protein ingredient extracted from a microorganism used in cosmetic treatment. Botox injection is a non-surgical beauty method that helps to erase aging defects such as crow's feet, forehead wrinkles, frown lines... This method has no permanent effect, but usually only maintains its effectiveness. Fruit about 4-6 months. After that time, you may need to have botox again if you want to maintain the wrinkle reduction effect.
MORE: Types of wrinkle fillers on the face

2.1 Ingredients Filler injection: There are many types, depending on the durability. Commonly used types are hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite, PLLA... Botox injection: Short for botulinum toxin - a toxin of Clostridium botulinum bacteria. 2.2 Mechanism of action Filler injection: Helps fill in areas and organizations that are defective such as sunken cheeks, deep nasolabial folds, sunken temples; face shaping such as V-line chin shaping, high nose shape or sexy lip shape; erase static wrinkles caused by aging process; Botox injection: Helps block nerve signals to muscles to reduce muscle contractions, relax muscles, limit wrinkles when facial muscles move. Therefore, botox injections are used to remove wrinkles (forehead wrinkles, crow's feet, rabbit wrinkles, gummy smiles) and face contouring (to slim the jawline). 2.3 Effective duration Filler injection: Immediate results, lasting from 6 months - 24 months; Botox injections: Results appear after a few days, lasting 4-6 months. Thus, due to the difference in composition and mechanism of action, botox injection has many advantages in the treatment of dynamic wrinkles (formed by muscle contraction) and filler injection has advantages in the treatment of wrinkles. Static wrinkles (due to the aging process, persisting even though the face shows no emotion).
MORE: Skin tightening: How to reverse the aging process?

3.1 General Notes A few important notes you need to remember to protect your own safety when choosing filler or botox beauty treatments:
Know well the information about the origin and expiry date of filler injections. and botox; Only perform injections with filler and botox still in the box, with the stamp intact; Administer the injection at an authorized location; Only agree to inject when the technician uses a new needle, do not reuse the needle in any way; Consult your doctor before having fillers or botox injections if you are pregnant, nursing or have a chronic medical condition.

3.2 Notes after filler injection Within a week after filler injection is performed, you need to adhere to the following care instructions:
Avoid going out in the sun, exposure to the sun; Do not use saunas or other high-temperature spaces; Do not massage or perform any other beauty services for at least 2 weeks; Re-examination and examination according to the doctor's appointment; Immediately notify the doctor if there are abnormal signs such as pain, loss of sensation,... 3.3 Notes after botox injection Treatment with botox will bring optimal results within 1 week after injection, effective can last 4-6 months. People after botox injection need to pay attention:
Should keep the injection area straight: Do not frown, do not wrinkle forehead,... 3-4 hours after injection; Avoid touching the injection site, do not wear makeup for 6 hours after botox injection to avoid infection; Do not massage or touch the injection area excessively within 24 hours after injection; In the case of botox injections to slim the jaw, you should limit lying down after the injection; There may be some side effects such as: Dizziness, mild headache or muscle pain (usually appearing and disappearing after a few days). In some cases, because the subcutaneous layer is too soft, the drug may spread around causing eyelid droop in the first 1-2 weeks; There is a feeling of heaviness, difficult to control when injected in the brow area, forehead and may have reduced chewing power in the first week after jaw reduction treatment. If these side effects persist or become more severe, you should tell your doctor; You should tell your doctor if you are using other treatments during your botox treatment.

Filler injections and botox injections are two different beauty treatments, but they have the same effect of stopping the aging process. However, both fillers and botox are not permanent, so you must continue to inject periodically to maintain the beauty effect. In addition to relying on these cosmetic methods, you should also change your eating, living and exercising habits to slow down the aging process, help your skin and body look younger and more balanced.
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