Over the years, wrinkle-smoothing injections such as BOTOX have become household names. While the brand name “BOTOX” is universally recognized, several others like “Nuceiva” are on the market and work just as well. Men and women across the country opt for these rejuvenating treatments to turn back the clock on unwanted wrinkles and folds.
Once patients try BOTOX or Nuceiva, they frequently make it a part of their skincare routine by scheduling maintenance appointments every 3 to 4 months. However, despite being so popular, these injections are still widely misunderstood. Here we’ll discuss a bit more about these transformative products.
What is a wrinkle-smoothing injection, aka a neuromodulator?
Neuromodulators are made from a purified form of the botulinum toxin, which temporarily relaxes the tiny muscles that contract when we make various facial expressions. Over time, these repeated contractions create dynamic wrinkles, such as crow’s feet and frown lines. As we age, our wrinkles become deeper and more prominent.
By limiting the movement of the underlying muscles, injectable wrinkle-smoothing injectables like BOTOX or Nuceiva effectively soften the appearance of common signs of aging, giving the skin a smoother and more youthful appearance.
How is BOTOX different than fillers?
Both neuromodulators and dermal fillers are designed to temporarily enhance the appearance of your skin, primarily by smoothing out wrinkles. However, the 2 products work in different ways.
Wrinkle smoothers, like BOTOX or Nuceiva, treat dynamic wrinkles by reducing specific facial muscle movements that create wrinkles over time. You can see how BOTOX and Nuceiva smooth expression lines in our patients’ BOTOX before and after pictures and in the Instagram post below:
On the other hand, fillers are gels that add volume to different areas of the face and physically “fill in” wrinkles to reduce their appearance. Most fillers contain a synthetic form of hyaluronic acid, a substance that is found naturally in the body. Hyaluronic acid keeps the skin hydrated and supple. Take a look at our patients’ dermal filler before and after pictures to see their rejuvenating effects.
Neuromodulators and fillers are often used together to achieve optimal results; this combination is often called a nonsurgical or “liquid” facelift.
Who should not get BOTOX or fillers?
BOTOX, Nuceiva, and dermal fillers are typically well-tolerated by most patients. However, they may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. Make sure to disclose any of these conditions before treatment.
Patients should also not be pregnant or breastfeeding. (You can read more about pregnancy, BOTOX, and dermal fillers in our related blog post.) Lastly, if you have a known allergy to botulinum toxin or hyaluronic acid, you should explore other wrinkle-reducing options.
What is BOTOX and filler recovery like?
Patients are free to return to normal daily activities immediately after treatment for both BOTOX and filler. We recommend that for the remainder of the day you thoroughly wash your hands before touching your face. This helps to reduce the risk of infection, which can compromise your results. (However, we do not recommend rubbing or putting pressure on the treatment area.) You can learn more about what to expect after a BOTOX treatment from Healthline.
Some patients experience swelling, redness, or bruising near the injection sites, but these symptoms will subside within a few days. Overall, recovery time is quite minimal.
How long do treatments last?
The effects of neuromodulators and fillers are temporary, and results vary for each patient. Most people return to our practice for a subsequent BOTOX treatment every 3 to 4 months when the effects begin to wear off. These follow-up appointments can help maintain your desired appearance. Additionally, there is evidence that after using neuromodulators for some time, patients may require less-frequent touch-up appointments.
For filler treatments, maintenance is recommended every 6 months, depending on the type of filler used. This allows you to keep looking fresh and natural all year long.
If you are interested in any injectable treatment, remember that an experienced injector matters more than the brand. Women and men come to us from all over Ontario because our experienced nurse injectors are very talented and skilled. To request a consultation online or call our office at (905) 631-6288.
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