Botox Vs. Other Dermal Fillers: Which is the Best Option

There is so much discussion these days about dermal fillers, and how they compare with Botox. Patients in The Woodlands assume that not only are they similar, but they also work the same way. Nothing could be further from the truth, and we are going to explain why dermal fillers are not an option at all.

Let’s Clear Up the Confusion

Botox has proven to be super safe and effective for decades. Botox is designed to treat what are called dynamic lines. It’s is primarily used to relax and smoothe out the frown lines that show up between the eyes, sometimes called elevens; crows feet – the wrinkles that make a home at the outer corners of your eyes; and the horizontal creases some of our patients in The Woodlands notice on their foreheads – surprise! Those too.

Over time the expressions that you make everyday cause lines to show up that become permanent even when your face is relaxed. Botox should be administered by a board-certified plastic surgeon who understands the anatomy of the face and how to precisely target the correct areas, injecting just enough Botox, so you look refreshed and not frozen.  We recommend our patients in The Woodlands come in for maintenance treatments every 3 to 4 months to keep their faces looking smooth and lovely. We aim to create a natural, rested appearance that still allows you the ability to animate your facial muscles.

What’s Wrong with Dermal Fillers and is there Another Choice?

Now that you know a little more about the pluses of Botox lets talk a minute about dermal fillers. Remember how we told you about dynamic lines and why Botox works so well on them? Well, what about the areas of your face that have lost volume and are deeply creased? We refer to those areas as static. There are several different dermal fillers advertised to “fill in” deep wrinkles and areas that have lost volume. Dermal fillers are an option we make available to our The Woodlands patients, but depending on your needs, you may want to consider “fat grafting” as an alternative to dermal fillers.

What is Fat Grafting and How does it Work?

What you may not know is that a lot of people experience allergic reactions and unpleasant side-effects when using dermal fillers. On the other hand, fat grafting is a terrific way to add volume and smoothe out static wrinkles using your body fat. Without going into too much detail fat grafting involves taking fat from parts of your body that you don’t want it anyway, via liposuction, purifying it and injecting it into the areas of your face that require a different approach. Fat grafting, like Botox, is non-invasive, can be permanent in some cases, and your body will not reject it.

How do I Know What is Right for Me?

Botox has a reputation for being the BEST at treating dynamic wrinkles for a reason – it works! Dermal fillers are newer, and there is evidence they can be beneficial, but it’s best to play it safe whenever possible. Call our office in The Woodlands today at (936) 539-8115 to schedule an appointment where you can learn more about your options and what is best for you.