woman with glowing smooth skin

Do You Need a Dermal Filler or a Wrinkle Relaxer?

In life, we grow and change with every experience.

Our skin changes, too, reflecting both the beauty and challenges of time.

You can turn back the clock on wrinkles and restore the youthful fullness and smoothness of your skin without surgery. But how do you know which is right for you in the Botox® vs. fillers debate?

Whether you’re looking to soften smile lines, plump up your lips, or reduce forehead wrinkles, injectable treatments can help you reveal your most confident self.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular brands in skin care to help you understand how they work together and separately so you can achieve your skincare goals.

What Is a Wrinkle Relaxer?

A wrinkle relaxer, also called a neuromodulator, temporarily relaxes the facial muscles that cause the appearance of wrinkles. Common wrinkle relaxers are Botox® and Dysport®.

Wrinkle relaxers contain a bacterium called clostridium botulinum toxin A, their active ingredient. A professional injects wrinkle relaxers into key areas of your face, such as frown lines, forehead lines, and lines around your eyes.

What Is a Dermal Filler?

Dermal fillers work exactly how their name implies: they fill in areas of your face that have experienced volume loss. They soften the appearance of wrinkles by filling them in. Dermal fillers work well on the folds between your nose and mouth, around your jawline, and in your lips.

Dermal fillers like Juvederm® and Restylane® are made of hyaluronic acid, a compound your body naturally produces. However, as you age, production diminishes, resulting in fine lines and wrinkles.

What You Should Know About Restylane® and Juvederm®

Neither Restylane® nor Juvederm® require allergy testing before use because they’re made of a naturally occurring substance in your body. Both have been safely used for decades to add volume to the face and define lips.

Juvederm® and Restylane® are produced by different companies, but work in the same way. Juvederm® has patented its Hylacross™ technology, so it spreads smoothly under the skin to achieve the desired effect. This technology can result in fewer treatments over time.

Treatment time with either family of products takes an hour or less. You’ll begin to see results immediately after injection, with further improvement after about three weeks. Dermal fillers like these can last for six months up to two years, depending on the product and your body, so you can experience long-term results.

What You Should Know About Botox® and Dysport®

Dysport® and Botox® are similar, but they do have some slight differences. Your injector will choose the best product for your skin type. These treatments are similar, but are produced by different companies.

There is little to no downtime with either, but you shouldn’t lay down immediately after treatment. Hold off on exercising for 24 hours post-treatment.

After either product is injected, it can take up to two weeks to take effect, although Dysport® is the quicker of the two. Wrinkler relaxers typically last three or four months.

A Custom Plan Helps You Reach Your Skin Care Goals

To help you achieve your skin care goals, a master injector will create a custom treatment plan especially for you, based on the location and severity of your wrinkles.

You likely won’t have to choose between Botox® vs. fillers, because they often work together to help you feel like yourself again. Many custom treatment plans include both types of wrinkle-smoothing injectables.

Finding a Master Injector For Botox® and Dermal Fillers

To get your custom treatment plan that includes dermal fillers or wrinkle relaxers, the first step is finding a master injector in your area. A master injector is a medical professional who has completed advanced training in cosmetic injectables.

To become a master injector, a health provider must have a deep understanding of facial anatomy and mastery of techniques using Juvederm®, Restylane®, Botox®, Dysport®, and more. It’s best to work with a credentialed master injector, rather than an injector without the certification, so you can achieve optimal results.

Become Your Best Self At Cosmetic Laser Centers℠

At Cosmetic Laser Centers, our team of medical professionals, master injectors, and skincare experts is dedicated to helping you bring your inner beauty outward.

We offer the latest non-surgical rejuvenation techniques to help you be the best version of yourself and walk through the world with confidence. At Cosmetic Laser Centers, you won’t just see remarkable results; you’ll experience our impeccable level of service standards firsthand.

Schedule your consultation for dermal fillers or Botox® near you, at either of our two convenient locations in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area: