Botox & Dermal Fillers
Botox and dermal fillers are cosmetic procedures, Botox is used for dynamic wrinkles (those seen when you are making facial expressions but that disappear otherwise) of the upper face, while dermal fillers are often used for static wrinkles (wrinkles that are visible when your face is relaxed) and to plump areas of the lower face (ie. cheeks, nasolabial folds, and lips, etc.).
We often combine Botox and Dermal Fillers to achieve your facial aesthetic goals. Neither treatment is universally better. Depending on what corrections and improvements you’re looking to achieve, we may recommend Botox, or fillers, or both based on those goals.
What is Botox and how does it work?
Botulinum Toxin (BOTOX) is a neurotoxic protein that prevents the release of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine from the axon end of a motor neuron. This action thereby prevents muscle contraction which results in relaxed facial muscles. This cosmetic treatment may reduce lines, wrinkles and the appearance of an aged face, while avoiding surgery.
Botox injections do not require any down/recovery time and for the most part, are quite painless. Effects are temporary, usually lasting about 3-6 months depending on your metabolism, and frequency of treatments may be reduced over time as a result of the muscles weakening.
Commonly treated areas include:
Forehead Lines
Frown Lines (11’s)
Eyebrow Lift
Bunny Lines (nasalis area)
Crow’s Feet (around the corners of the eyes)
Under Eye Lines
What are Dermal Fillers and how do they work?
At Restore Medi Spa, we use hyaluronic acid (HA) based fillers. HA is a carbohydrate (polysaccharide) that naturally occurs in the human body and provides moisture, plumpness and fullness to the skin. It does this via binding with and absorbing water to any given area. As we age this carbohydrate decreases. HA is commonly used in the cosmetic industry to reduce wrinkles and lines and rejuvenate the skin. It can also be used for other purposes such as providing cushioning in the joints for disorders such as osteoarthritis.
Aside from the improved visual changes in appearance, hyaluronic acid fillers may also cause more elasticity in the skin and make it feel softer. There are low and high cross-linked dermal fillers. The former usually last 3-6 months and the latter can last 6-12 months or even longer. On average dermal fillers will last 4-8 months, therefore follow up treatments are recommended around every 6-12 months.
Commonly treated areas include:
Lid Cheek (under eye)
Cheeks
Lips & Lip Lines
Nasolabial Folds (smile lines)
Marionette Lines (mouth corners)
For more information on cosmetic injections, visit the Health Canada page here.