Blog

What Are the Differences between Botox and Dermal Filler

September 16, 2019 by dermcare Leave a Comment

What Are the Differences between Botox and Dermal Filler

Looking to improve your appearance but not sure where to begin? Given the number of treatment options out there, it’s easy to get confused. Thankfully, many common complaints can be solved using one or two popular treatments, both of which are non-surgical and involve minimal downtime. These are Botox and Dermal Fillers.

Due to the enormous popularity of Botox and Dermal Fillers, it’s likely you’ve already heard or read about them. No longer reserved for just celebrities and Instagrammers, Botox and Dermal Fillers are now accessed by millions of Americans each year. In fact, there’s even been a 41% rise in young women getting Botox since 2011 and dermal fillers were the second most popular cosmetic treatment performed in 2015. But what’s the difference between the two, and which one is right for you?

Botox and dermal fillers are both injectable treatments administered by licensed practitioners that help to prevent or minimize the visual effects of skin aging. While similar in many respects, Botox and Dermal Fillers are used slightly differently.

Botox

Injected directly behind the line or wrinkle that needs treating, Botox works to prevent further problems caused by movement. Botox is a form of botulinum toxin and paralyzes specific muscles in the face, giving temporary relief from deepening wrinkles in that area. You might select Botox if you notice the start of crow’s feet or lip lines and want to proactively deal with the problem before it becomes more visible.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers, on the other hand, involve the injection of substances beneath the skin surface to add to its volume. For example, while Botox might ‘freeze’ the lines surrounding the mouth, dermal fillers will plump out the lips to give an overall more youthful look. Dermal fillers may also be used on much deeper, longstanding wrinkles to plump out that area of the face and minimize the wrinkle’s visibility.

As with all cosmetic treatments, procedures come with risks and side effects. Luckily, what Dermal Fillers and Botox have in common is that they are both FDA approved treatments. When administered by a licensed practitioner, both procedures are safe and can be performed in conjunction with each other. Side effects for both treatments can include bruising, mild pain and swelling. However, side effects tend to be minimal and you can get both Botox and Dermal Fillers without any downtime. In fact, it’s not unheard of for people to get Botox on their lunch breaks and then return to the office! It really is that simple.

Difference in Results

The desired result of both Botox and Dermal Fillers is a natural, fresh and improved appearance. Please note, however, that Botox results are temporary. You need to keep up with a Botox regime as suggested by your doctor in order to maintain your look. Most of the Botox’s effects last between three to six months.

The results of Dermal Fillers are longer lasting than Botox. The duration of the effects depends on the brand of Dermal Filler, the amount used and the injection area. For instance, when dermal fillers are used to add volume to the cheeks, they can last for several years, which is significantly more than if they are injected into the lips.

Of course, everyone is different and only a licensed practitioner can give you advice on the suitability of either Botox or Dermal Fillers. To discover which method is best for you, book an appointment with a friendly and professional practitioner at Dermcare. Click here to get in touch.

How safe is Botox?

September 12, 2019 by dermcare Leave a Comment

How Safe is Botox?

Frown lines? Crow’s feet? Common signs of ageing can show up quickly and without warning. Lines like these can be hard to cover with makeup and impact your overall confidence. If you’ve been doing some late-night Googling on how to reduce the appearance and worsening of these unwanted lines, it’s likely that Botox has come up in your research.

Since its FDA-approval 15 years ago, Botox has proven to be the go-to solution in the treatment for wrinkles and common signs of ageing. According to the American Journal of Plastic Surgeons, this minimally invasive cosmetic procedure is so widely popular that in 2017, more than 7 million procedures were conducted in the US alone. Globally, Botox sales continue to rise. In 2017, the global market size was $3.84 billion and the figure is expected to reach $9.84 billion by 2025 according to figures provided by Reuters.

Interestingly, usage is not limited to the reduction of fine lines. The drug has a host of other non-cosmetic and off-label uses such as the treatment of cerebral palsy in children, controlling weak bladders, and in managing excessive sweating

How it Works

When using Botox for cosmetic purposes such as removing worry lines, only very low doses are required. Your practitioner will mix the drug with saline to reduce its potency then inject it into the necessary area. The toxin then blocks nerve signals within your muscles thus reducing the muscle contractions that result in wrinkles. When your facial muscles stay relaxed, the result is a smoother and younger appearance. When performed correctly, it will not be obvious you have had Botox. Instead, you’ll look naturally radiant and younger, with a reduced risk of developing deeper wrinkles in the future.

Is Botox Safe?

For a drug that yields results in as little as 3 days, safety concerns are bound to rise. Add to the fact that the drug is derived from a type of toxin, it’s only natural that you’ll feel dubious about putting it into your body.

The good news is that Botox is FDA-approved, making its use not only legal but also highly regulated. It is also produced in a tightly controlled environment and administered in minuscule amounts to ensure safety. Most importantly, the drug molecules largely stay within the injection site leaving little to no chance of it entering the bloodstream or migrating to other areas.

However, the drug should only be used in very controlled doses administered by a licensed dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Uncontrolled doses can exceed the safety limit, resulting in potential injury. Dosage varies from person to person dependent on what you need and how big a muscle you need controlled. Doctors recommend that you do not rub or massage the injection site to reduce the probability of swelling or temporary weakening other facial muscles.

Other Side Effects of Botox

Botox is considered safe when it’s used in trace amounts and administered by a qualified injector. However, just like other medications, the drug comes with its own set of potential side effects. While some people experience no reaction or side effect to Botox, this is not applicable to everyone. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons lists the following as some of the side effects of using Botox:

Bruising and pain at the injection site
Flu-like symptoms
Headache
Nausea
Redness
Temporary facial weakness or drooping

In extremely rare cases, the toxin may result in more severe side effects such as breathing problems, slurred speech, or muscle weakness. If this happens, you should consult your doctor immediately to ensure that they are not a result of excessive dosage.

Bottom Line

Botox is a highly regulated and well-understood drug that is considered safe for cosmetic uses. You can stop injections at any time, or enjoy long-term use if you prefer.

If you decide Botox is for you, be sure to book an appointment with one of our friendly and qualified practitioners to guide you through the process.

Get 10% Off a Hair Regrowth PRP Package in our Natick Office!

October 3, 2018 by dermcare Leave a Comment

Welcome October with $100 Off Radiesse in our Chelmsford Office!

October 2, 2018 by dermcare Leave a Comment

Hormonally-Induced Acne – A Post by Dr. Michael Krathen (Dermatologist in Natick and Waltham)

September 11, 2018 by dermcare Leave a Comment

A post by Dr. Michael Krathen – Dermatologist in Natick and Waltham

As many of us are aware, acne is very common and presents in various subtypes. Hormonally induced acne, one of the more common subtypes of acne, is, unfortunately, both under-recognized and under-treated.

Generally, hormonally induced acne is characterized by deeper sometimes tender pimples occurring on the jawline, chin, forehead, and trunk of female acnepatients. Typically this acne subtype flares reliably in relationship (before, often) to one’s menstrual cycle (but not always). Menstrual cycles may be regular or irregular. Importantly, if one’s menstrual cycles are irregular, in conjunction with acne and hirsutism (excess hair growth), one should consider evaluation by an endocrinologist or gynecologist for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or other disorder.

In my experience I divide hormonally induced acne into the following typical presentations:

1) Teens with significant acne flaring during the week before menstrual cycle

2) Young women (age 20’s-30’s), often with no history of teenage acne, with rather abrupt onset of deeper tender pimples

3) Pregnant women

4) Peri-menopausal acne (sometimes occurring several years before or after menopause as well), women in the 40’s or 50’s with tender deeper pimples generally occurring on the chin, jawline and neck.

5) Women of all ages who recently (2-3 months prior to onset of acne) switched birth control to include one of the following progesterones: norethindrone, levonorgestrel, etonorgesterel, among others.

Treatment of hormonally induced acne can be a bit of a challenge. Topical treatment generally is insufficient to improve hormonal acne, although mild hormonal acnemay be improved by clindamycin, azelaic acid, niacinamide, dapsone or other antimicrobials/anti-inflammatories. Coordinating with one’s primary care physician, dermatologist, pediatrician, and/or gynecologist is crucial, as optimizing the selection of a low-androgenicity oral contraceptive can make a huge difference in the treatment of hormonal acne. The optimal progesterones for hormonal acne include desogestrel, norgestimate, and drospirenone. Lastly, spironolactone, a diuretic often employed in the off-label treatment of hormonal acne, may be used as mono-therapy or in combination with an oral contraceptive.

The final comment to make about hormonally induced acne is regarding the use of isotretinoin. Now, I love isotretinoin as much as the next dermatologist, however one must recognize its limitations as well. Although hormonal acne will improve during an isotretinoin course of therapy, it will generally recur after the treatment has completed. As a result, before female patients commence a course of isotretinoin, it is often sensible to optimize hormonal acne treatment to determine if the isotretinoin course is actually necessary.

If the above sounds like you or someone you care about, know that effective therapies exist and the prognosis is great.