Many visible signs of aging are the result of volume loss. As we age, facial tissue thins, and lines become etched around the nose and mouth and cheeks appear hollow. There are many dermal filler products on the market; however, two of the most common are BOTOX® Cosmetic and JUVÉDERM®. These two dermal fillers are used to treat expression lines, smooth lines around the nose and mouth, restore volume to sunken cheeks, diminish vertical lip lines, plump the lips, and restores a more youthful appearance. If you are considering aesthetic injectable treatments, below are a list of common questions regarding BOTOX® Cosmetic and JUVÉDERM®.
1. What is BOTOX® Cosmetic and JUVÉDERM®
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a drug made from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum injections work by blocking muscular nerve signals. This in turn weakens muscle contraction and results in a more relaxed, youthful look. Patients most benefit from this when treating wrinkles and creases, whether from aging or other causes. These can form from practically any facial movement, including frowning, squinting, raising eyebrows, and even smiling, but the severity of the wrinkle will vary from person to person. By utilizing botulinum injections, patients can address these with minimal invasiveness and vastly improve their appearance.
JUVÉDERM® is a soft injectable hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance already found in the skin that keeps skin plump and hydrated.
Injected under the skin, JUVÉDERM® stimulates the production of the connective tissue that plumps the skin (collagen) and instantly smooth out wrinkles and nasolabial folds along the side of the nose and mouth. JUVÉDERM® can bring about a dramatic, natural looking results that typically last 6-12 months.
Explore the Gallery of Before & After Results In Botox
2. Are BOTOX® Cosmetic and JUVÉDERM® safe?
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), BOTOX® Cosmetic and JUVÉDERM® dermal fillers have undergone extensive clinical testing regarding their safety and effectiveness. Approved in the US for more than 17 years, BOTOX® is commonly used to rejuvenate facial features, but it is also used to treat over 20 different conditions including migraines, muscle spasms, stiffness, and excessive sweating. Approved by the FDA in 2006, JUVÉDERM® is considered safe with minimal side effects, such as bruising or itching at the site of the injection that usually disappear within seven days.
3. Which filler do I need?
There are many dermal filler products on the market; however, each product is uniquely formulated to have certain textures, density, and injection depth. While your provider will determine which product is best for you, certain fillers work for certain areas of concern. BOTOX® is best used for expression lines (brow furrows, crow's feet, and frown lines). JUVÉDERM® is best used for smooth under the eyes, marionette lines, plump lips, soften nasolabial folds, and smooth chin wrinkles.
4. How much do aesthetic injectable treatments cost and will my insurance cover the cost?
Cost varies based the amount of product needed to achieve optimal results and the areas of the face that are treated. Insurance providers do not typically cover cosmetic procedures.
5. Will the results look natural?
BOTOX® Cosmetic and JUVÉDERM® dermal fillers can enhance the way you look. Physicians often will use multiple products depending on the patients' needs. BOTOX Cosmetic is often used to relax the dominant frown muscles between the eyebrows, allowing the two vertical lines between the brows, often referred to as the "11," to temporarily diminish in appearance. JUVÉDERM dermal fillers work differently, by instantly filling in and smoothing out wrinkles and folds that look like the parentheses along the side of your nose and mouth, creating a smooth, natural look and feel.
6. How long do aesthetic injectable treatments last?
In general, the denser the product and the more deeply it is injected, the longer it lasts. Treatments such as BOTOX® Cosmetic and JUVÉDERM® dermal fillers are temporary. BOTOX Cosmetic effects can last up to four months, while JUVÉDERM dermal fillers deliver sustained results for six to eighteen months. For example, injections to lips will need to be repeated quicker than injections to nasolabial folds.
Juvederm Results
7. How long do aesthetic injectable procedures take?
Many procedures can be performed quickly and require minimal down-time. Following a facial analysis by your physician, as well as a discussion of your desired outcomes, BOTOX® Cosmetic and JUVÉDERM® dermal fillers require only a brief in-office visit and take an average of 15 minutes to perform.
8. What can I expect during treatment?
Your initial treatment begins with a consultation, during which time your area of concern will be evaluated, and your medical history will be reviewed. Make sure to disclose to your provider any allergies you may have or medications you are taking. Before treatment begins, the area will be cleaned, and you may receive a topical anesthetic to numb the area prior to injection. Depending on the product and area receiving treatment, you should be able to notice results immediately. After treatment, you should be able to go back to your normal activities immediately; however, your provider may request that you refrain from any strenuous activity for the remainder of the day.
9. Do aesthetic injectable procedures cause bruising or other side effects?
Following treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic, some patients have reported minimal bruising around the injection site. Following treatment with JUVÉDERM®, most side effects were mild to moderate and lasted 7 days or less. The most common side effects included, but are not limited to, temporary injection site reactions such as redness, pain/tenderness, firmness, swelling, lumps/bumps, bruising, itching and discoloration. With BOTOX® Cosmetic and JUVÉDERM®, recovery time is minimal, but people are often advised to avoid strenuous activity, sun exposure, wearing makeup, and consuming alcohol for at least 24 hours post treatment.
10. Will my face still have expression?
When administered by an experienced physician, you can still smile, frown, and look surprised without those lines - also known as the "11" - between your brows. Aesthetic injectable treatments such as BOTOX® Cosmetic and JUVÉDERM® dermal fillers are technique-sensitive procedures, so make sure to visit a well-trained aesthetic-specialty physician for your treatment and discuss the optimal results you would like to achieve.
