What Is the Difference
Between BOTOX® and Fillers?
This is a very commonly asked question! The best way to understand the difference is to remember that BOTOX® Cosmetic is used for dynamic wrinkles, meaning wrinkles that are created when we move our facial muscles and express ourselves. Dermal fillers, on the other hand, are used to add volume to fill deeper folds and lines.
BOTOX® is a neurotoxin often referred to as a “wrinkle relaxer.” It is injected in tiny doses, measured as units. BOTOX® and Dysport® (a similar neurotoxin formula) are injected directly into the muscles responsible for creating the wrinkles that form when we make facial expressions.
Dermal fillers are used more for static wrinkles, meaning wrinkles that are visible at rest without expression. These hyaluronic acid fillers are a gel consistency injected beneath the skin to create volume, smooth out deeper folds, fill in areas of hollowness, and help contour and define facial features.
What Is JUVÉDERM®?
JUVÉDERM® is a hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring substance found mostly in the skin and connective tissue, that gives our skin its structure and volume. It also plays a role in keeping our skin hydrated by binding to water and retaining moisture.
As we age, the amount of hyaluronic acid in our bodies begins to decrease, causing the deeper layer of skin to lose volume and the top layer to wrinkle and fold.
By injecting an HA-based gel filler like JUVÉDERM®, areas beneath your skin’s surface can be filled in to add volume and restore a youthful appearance.
What Is JUVÉDERM® used for?
JUVÉDERM® is used to treat the most common signs of aging. The JUVÉDERM® collection of fillers can be injected to correct loss of volume in the face and fill in lines and folds around the nose and mouth, including nasolabial folds (known as the “parentheses”). JUVÉDERM® can also provide natural lip enhancement tailored to meet your personal aesthetic goals. During your consultation, we will provide education and recommendations as to which dermal filler may be best for you.
The JUVÉDERM® Collection Includes:
JUVÉDERM® XC/JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC
JUVÉDERM® XC/JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC corrects moderate to severe wrinkles and folds around the nose and mouth with results lasting from nine months to one year. When injected to enhance and plump the lips, results can be expected to last approximately six months.
VOLLURE™
JUVÉDERM VOLLURE™ is best known for its natural, long-lasting results. VOLLURE™ is most effective when correcting mild to moderate lines and wrinkles, leaving you with a smoother skin surface. Results typically last 12 to 18 months.
VOLBELLA®
JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA® is specifically designed for subtle lip enhancement and filling vertical lip lines (known as smokers’ lines) around the mouth. Volbella is the perfect filler choice if you’re looking to naturally smooth and hydrate your lips without too much volumizing. Results last six months to one year.
VOLUMA®
While fillers are known for providing volume, JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® is also designed to lift and contour the mid face. VOLUMA™ is beneficial for women and men looking to correct age-related changes in the face such as hollowing and sagging skin as well as younger patients looking to lift and highlight their cheeks. Results with VOLUMA™ can be seen for up to two years.
Is JUVÉDERM® Right for Me?
JUVÉDERM® dermal fillers are ideal for patients who are concerned with visible signs of aging, including prominent wrinkles and folds. As a quick, procedure with little to no downtime, dermal filler rejuvenation is a great way to slow down the clock and restore your skin’s youthful state.
Why Choose JUVÉDERM®?
Dermal fillers in the JUVÉDERM® family are an ideal way to address your cosmetic concerns without undergoing surgery. Dermal fillers are a safe, natural way to achieve a refreshed look in as little as 30 minutes with essentially no downtime.
JUVÉDERM® Results
When Will I See the Effects of JUVÉDERM®?
The effects of JUVÉDERM® are seen immediately. Full results become visible after one to two weeks once the expected small amount of swelling has subsided. Much like BOTOX®, the results seen with dermal fillers depend on the area treated, the product used, and your personal lifestyle.
How Long Does JUVÉDERM® Last?
The effects of dermal fillers placed deeper in the mid face can be seen for up to two years, whereas areas involving the lips and around the mouth may provide results for up to one year. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers like JUVÉDERM® are naturally metabolized out of the body over time. Since the muscles around the mouth are used more frequently (talking, eating, drinking), the dermal filler tends to metabolize quicker than in the areas of the face where the muscles are used less frequently.
What Is Restylane®?
Restylane® is a formulated hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler used to produce a natural, youthful appearance in various areas of the face. It is designed to restore the body’s own natural hyaluronic acid that we lose over time.
What Is Restylane® used for?
Restylane® products are injected to help achieve volume and fullness by correcting creases and folds in the mid and lower face as well as providing a soft, hydrating lip enhancement.
The Restylane® Collection Includes:
Restylane-L®
Restylane-L® was the first in the collection and is still considered to be the most versatile. It is most widely used to correct areas of deficiency and volume loss as well as to provide lip augmentation. Depending on how much product is used and the area treated, results can be seen for six months to one year.
Restylane® Silk
Restylane® Silk is designed to give a silkier lip augmentation and smooth vertical “lipstick lines” around the mouth. Results last approximately six months.
Restylane® Lyft
Restylane® Lyft is used for cheek augmentation and contouring as well as filling in moderate to severe facial folds (smile lines) associated with aging. Depending on the treatment area, results can be seen for nine months to one year.
Restylane® Refyne and Defyne
In our Restylane® collection of dermal fillers, Restylane® Refyne and Restylane® Defyne are the most flexible formulas used to help smooth mild, moderate, and severe lines. Known to maintain your natural movement and expressions, results can be seen for up to one year.
Restylane® Kysse
Restylane® Kysse is the first lip filler designed for flexible movement
and natural-looking volume proven to last for up to 1 year.
Is Restylane® Right for Me?
If you are looking to restore volume, rehydrate, or add definition to your face, one of the many Restylane® products could be right for you. During your consultation, we will personalize your treatment plan and provide recommendations and education as to which dermal filler will help meet your aesthetic goals.
Restylane® Results
When Will I See the Effects of Restylane®?
Like JUVÉDERM® and other HA dermal fillers, the effects of Restylane® are seen immediately, and full results become visible one to two weeks after treatment.
How Long Does Restylane® Last?
The duration of Restylane® results will vary depending on the area treated and product used. Most patients report desirable effects of treatment lasting six months to one year.
What to Expect From Dermal Filler Treatment
How Should I Prepare for My JUVÉDERM® or Restylane® Treatment?
- It is recommended that patients avoid taking medications with blood-thinning effects such as NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, Aleve®, Advil®, etc.) for three to five days prior to treatment.
- Arrive for your treatment with a clean, makeup- and lotion-free face.
What Should I Expect During My Dermal Filler Appointment?
- Your areas of focus will be discussed, and a complete facial assessment will be performed and medical history reviewed.
- Treatment recommendations and product education will be provided based on your aesthetic goals.
- Once an injectable plan is in place and all your questions have been answered, we will offer the option to have complimentary topical numbing cream applied to the treatment area for added comfort. ** ON A HAPPY NOTE: with or without numbing cream, many patients report no pain during treatment. **
- At the completion of treatment, ice packs will be provided to reduce swelling.
Dr. Lo with nurse injector Anne Newbert. BSN, RN, CCRN
What to Expect After Dermal Filler Treatment: Post-Care Instructions
- To optimize healing, it is recommended that you avoid any strenuous activity or vigorous exercise for the first 24 hours after treatment.
- Dermal fillers are injected with meticulous precision. It is advised that you do not have any other facial treatments scheduled two weeks after your appointment that would include massaging, rubbing, or manipulating the product.
- To help reduce the occurrence of bruising, we advise that you avoid taking NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, Aleve®, Advil®, etc.) up to five days following your treatment.
Injectable Filler Maintenance and Follow Up
- The full effects of your injectables procedure will be seen one to two weeks after treatment. Initial follow-up appointments are encouraged if you have specific questions regarding your treatment. We are confident you will love your results! For that reason, “before” and “after” pictures are taken to use as reference for your future treatments.
FAQs About Injectable Fillers
-
When it comes to treatment with dermal fillers, every patient is evaluated on an individual basis. The discretion of our trained medical staff will determine if it is the right time for you to begin filler treatments.
-
To avoid the risk of any additional irritation, it is recommended to discontinue the use of Retin-A products one week prior to your appointment.
-
We recommend arriving at your appointment with clean skin free of makeup and lotion. However, the beauty of injectables is that they can be quick “lunch-break” appointments that fit right into the middle of your day. For your convenience, we have everything in the office needed to clean your skin and wipe off makeup prior to your appointment. After, it is advised that you avoid putting makeup back on for a few hours to reduce the risk of skin breakouts.
-
When properly placed, cheek or mid face filler is meant to help define and contour facial features. Puffiness may occur temporarily after treatment due to swelling but should subside within a couple of days as the product settles.
-
Once you have healed for a couple of days and the filler settles, the finished product should be smooth, defined, and well-hydrated lips.
-
It is possible that a filler can move within the area it was injected, but it is not likely. After your treatment, we will make sure the product is lying smooth under your skin and not lumpy. For the first 24 hours after dermal filler treatment, it is advised that strenuous activity be avoided to help expedite the healing process.
-
JUVÉDERM® and Restylane® dermal fillers are considered temporary because they are hyaluronic acid-based. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are broken down and metabolized out of the body naturally over a period of approximately six to 18 months.
-
Mild bruising is one of the most common side effects of dermal fillers. The good news is that if bruising does occur, it should only last a couple of days and has no impact on the overall results of your treatment.
Below are simple recommendations to help reduce your chances of bruising:
- Avoid taking NSAID medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, Aleve®, Advil®, etc. for three to five days prior to AND after your appointment.
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before and after your treatment.
- Taking Arnica Montana (commonly known as just Arnica) for four to five days before and after your appointment can help keep bruising to a minimum. This natural supplement can be found over the counter at most health food stores.
- Apply ice or cold compresses after treatment.
-
Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are known for their safety and effectiveness. The most commonly seen side effects with HA fillers in the JUVÉDERM® and Restylane® families include redness at the injection site, swelling, lumps/bumps, and bruising. All side effects are generally mild and resolve within three to five days.
-
Many patients report little to no pain during or after their filler injections. Depending on the area you are having treated, we may offer to apply topical numbing cream prior to treatment. Immediately following treatment, ice will be applied to the treated area to provide comfort for any soreness that may be present.
-
At the end of your appointment, we will make sure all of the product is lying smooth under the skin. There is no need for you to perform any additional massaging after the appointment.
-
It is recommended to wait until the following day before applying anything to the skin after your injectables appointment. This will give the needle puncture sites time to close and heal, reducing the chances of skin breakouts or irritation.
-
It is best to wait one to two weeks after your dermal filler appointment before receiving any other facial service. This will ensure that the skin has healed completely and the product placed has taken complete effect.
If you are unsure if your additional service may interfere with the results of your dermal filler, just give us a call!
Interested in Injectable Fillers in Philadelphia?
If you have any questions about getting injectable dermal filler treatment in Philadelphia, please call (215) 829-6900 or fill out our online contact form.
Dr. Lo offers injectable fillers for patients in the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, including the cities of Philadelphia, Marlton, Mount Laurel, and Cherry Hill.
Contact Us
Contact UsLocations
Philadelphia Cosmetic Surgery
301 South 8th Street, Suite 3H,
Philadelphia PA 19106
New Jersey Cosmetic Surgery
990 Route 73 North
Marlton, NJ 08053
Social Media