Many might wonder which treatments are right for their skin, whether it’s anti-wrinkle injections or dermal fillers, to combat signs of aging. While these two can fight off aging signs, each has a different role to play. Dermal fillers are made to fill and plump out the skin to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, whereas anti-wrinkle injections work by relaxing the facial muscles to prevent new wrinkles from forming, as well as smooth out existing lines.
What Do Anti-Wrinkle Injections Have in Common?
Anti-wrinkle treatments and dermal fillers also have in common, which include the following:
- Both can address visible signs of aging.
- Both are cosmetic treatments designed to enhance natural looks.
- Both are injectables administered using a syringe.
- Both have minimal side effects and little downtime.
- Both only need short consultation times.
- Both should only be administered by a medical professional like a qualified cosmetic doctor or registered cosmetic nurse.
What Are Anti-Wrinkle Injections?
They are non-surgical alternative treatments that can help reduce lines such as wrinkles and frowns, rejuvenate the face and reverse a prematurely aged appearance. Botulinum toxin is the most commonly used muscle relaxant to treat frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines), worry lines across the forehead, and crow’s feet around the eyes.
Aside from that, it can produce the effect of a brow lift since it relaxes the muscles that drag down the brow. A few tiny injections are administered to the correct muscles under the skin, which reduces nerve stimulation to the targeted muscles. The treatment duration usually takes about 10 minutes, which can vary on the number of areas being treated.
Moreover, the effects are not apparent immediately after treatment. The muscles remain relaxed over the next few days, and it often takes around 3-4 days for final results to become visible, typically reaching their full results in one week. For instance, when patients are treated for lines on the forehead, they are physically unable to frown, preventing the dynamic wrinkles that are usually present.
It is important to note that the body gradually reabsorbs anti-wrinkle injections over time, so repeat injections are necessary about every three to five months to maintain results. With continued use, the effects may last longer because the targeted muscles have ‘unlearned’ the response that originally contributed to the development of the lines.
What Are the Benefits of Anti-Wrinkle Injections?
Anti-wrinkle injections target facial muscles and offer the following benefits:
- The injectables help reduce fine lines by relaxing the muscles.
- They may help to reduce nerve stimulation.
- The results are seen up to 2 weeks post-treatment.
- The effects last between 3 and 8 months, depending on the treated area.
- For long-term results, repeated treatments are recommended.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
The ‘radiant glow’ associated with being young and healthy is often attributed to the fullness and smooth, plump contours evident in the upper, lower, and mid-face regions. In seeking to restore this glow, practitioners often call on one or more of a variety of dermal fillers that can be injected under the skin to smooth and fill deep folds and lines.
Dermal fillers are gel-like substances injected into these areas to plump out wrinkles and smooth the face. They are also used to restore volume to the face where tissue has degenerated with age or where lipoatrophy (fat loss triggered by disease) has caused the cheeks to collapse.
Fillers can also fill pockmarks and acne scars, contour or reshape facial features, and add volume to lips and cheeks. More permanent fillers can reshape the nose and jawline to create a more balanced and harmonious face shape.
Many different fillers on the market range in longevity, composition, and viscosity, which can be pretty confusing. While a cosmetic doctor is the best person to advise on the most suitable filler for specific needs, educating oneself before the consultation is important. This will ensure to feel more comfortable and confident when discussing options.
In addition, hyaluronic acid is the most popular dermal filler that helps to hydrate the skin by binding to water and stimulating collagen production. This improves the skin’s overall elasticity and flexibility, which is particularly important in areas where the skin has thinned.
What Are the Benefits of Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are injected into the dermal layer under the skin and offer the following benefits:
- The injectables fill and restore volume loss.
- They can help contour facial features.
- They improve skin quality, including hydration and texture.
- Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are naturally dissolved by the body.
- The effects typically last 6 months to 2 years, depending on the treated area.
- Maintenance dermal filler treatments are available to extend the results.
What Are Anti-Wrinkle Injections and Dermal Fillers Used For?
Anti-wrinkle injections are mainly used to treat expression lines. The three main areas treated are
- Frown lines,
- Forehead lines
- Crow’s feet.
They also treat
- Bunny lines, which are on the sides of the nose
- To help with lines around the lips.
On the other hand, dermal fillers are often used wherever more volume is needed. As we age, we lose facial volume (from the fat and bone), and dermal fillers can replace this.
Commonly they are used
- In the cheeks
- At the side of the face
- Along the jawline
- In the temples
- In the forehead
- In the folds around the mouth.
They can also beautify a face by
- Highlighting a cheekbone,
- Straightening a nose
- Strengthening a weak’s chin
- Volumizing the lips.
Which One Is Right for You?
Consulting a trained cosmetic injector can help determine which treatment suits the skin and concerns better. The cosmetic injector can provide an overall assessment and plan to help achieve the desired outcome. This may include:
- Which areas of the face to target using anti-wrinkle injections or dermal filler treatment
- Which aspects of your face restore volume using dermal fillers or anti-wrinkle injections
The cosmetic injector will also consider the aesthetic goals, budget, health, and medical history. Overall, both treatments provide temporary solutions to correct the signs of aging.
They are both reabsorbed for a few months, with dermal filler lasting from six months to one year, depending on the injection site. Anti-wrinkle injections last between three and six months.
The Bottom Line
Several non-surgical treatments, like anti-wrinkle treatments and dermal fillers, can effectively enhance the overall appearance of the skin and achieve a natural and more youthful-looking result. ZI BLOOM Aesthetics offers Anti-Wrinkle Injections that use Dysport and Xeomin neuromodulators to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. At ZI BLOOM Aesthetics, we focus on subtle changes to create a natural and youthful balance.