We’ve all heard of Botox and dermal fillers, and we all know they’re injectable treatments for the face and occasionally body, but there are very many differences between the two treatments? In fact, you’ll find that both are very different from what they’re made from, how they work in the skin, and the results they achieve.

What they’re made from

They are, indeed, both made from different substances. Botox is made from a regulated and FDA approved medical toxin that is available only through prescription and is injected as a liquid. Dermal fillers on the other hand are a gel-like substance containing hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring skin protein used in skin hydration and laxity.

How they work

Both of these treatments work in very different ways in the skin and face. Dermal fillers, for example, are a gel that are placed in the skin’s soft tissue. They don’t migrate from the area and work to immediately plump and restructure the treated area. Botox is injected not into the skin, but directly into the muscle. The toxin is injected into the muscle to stop it contracting as aggressively, limiting the animation and preventing the muscles from creasing the skin during expression.

Where they treat

Because dermal fillers are used for soft tissue augmentation, they’re very popular in areas such as the lips, cheeks and jawline. They can also be placed to lift certain areas that have thinned over time which create facial folds, such as nose-to-mouth lines or marionette lines. Botox is used in expressive areas of the face to limit wrinkles and fine lines, so its main treatment areas include the crow’s feet, laughter lines, frown lines between the eyebrows, and forehead lines when the brows are raised.

Alternative uses for dermal fillers and Botox

Dermal fillers treatment areas continue to find new ways in helping people for different body parts. More advanced areas include the tear troughs, jawline, hands, and even minute injections in the décolletage. Similarly, Botox has also developed into alternative uses, though these are more medical uses. For example, Botox injections are used to help treat excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis. Using the same process, small amounts of Botox are injected into treatment areas such as the underarms and hairline to limit the excessive sweat production.

Who performs the treatments

These treatments should only be performed by medical professionals, since they are injectable substances being placed within your skin. It is important to understand that Botox uses Botulinum Toxin A, a substance that is only available through prescription, therefore can only be performed by medical professionals. Dermal fillers in the UK are currently non-prescription which means technically anyone can perform, but this doesn’t mean they should. Your risks increase and your safety can be compromised if you visit a non medical professional. Regardless of whether you are considering dermal filler or Botox, you should aim to seek a medical professional or independent prescriber for your treatments.

Botox and dermal fillers in Milton Keynes are available from the medical trained hands of the R3 Aesthetics practitioners, get in contact today to book your consultation.