Cosmetic Medicine
Botox and Dermal Fillers
Botox and dermal fillers are cosmetic procedures, we use Botox for dynamic wrinkles (those seen when you are making facial expressions but that disappear otherwise) of the upper face. By contrast, 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?
How Cosmetic Botox works:
Botulinum Toxin (BOTOX) is a neurotoxic protein that blocks the release of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine at the motor nerve endings. As a result, the targeted muscles contract less, which results in relaxed facial muscles.
What to expect:
After treatment, you can return to normal activities, no downtime needed. Within a few days, results start to show and typically last 3-6 months depending on factors like your metabolism and treatment dose. Over time, the frequency of treatments may be reduced as a result of the muscles weakening.
Areas that are commonly treated with Botox include:
Forehead
Frown Lines
Eyebrows
Bunny Lines
Crow’s Feet
Under Eye Lines
What are Dermal Fillers and how do they work?
How Dermal Fillers 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.
What to expect:
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.
Areas that are commonly treated with Dermal Fillers include:
Lid Cheek (under eye)
Cheeks
Lips & Lip Lines
Nasolabial Folds (smile lines)
Marionette Lines (mouth corners)
Botox and Dermal Filler FAQs
Generally speaking, Botox treats dynamic wrinkles (lines that appear with expression but fade at rest) of the upper face. By contrast, dermal fillers address static wrinkles (lines visible when your face is relaxed) and to plump areas of the lower face (e.g. cheeks, nasolabial folds, and lips, etc.). Together, they’re often combined to meet your facial aesthetic goals. Neither treatment is universally better; ultimately, the right choice depends on the specific improvements you want.
Like any medical procedure, Botox and dermal filler treatments carry some risks. Most commonly, you may notice temporary redness, swelling, or bruising at the injection site. At Restore, we use products that are authorized by Health Canada (HPFB) and approved by the FDA. If you are concerned about potential side effects, please book a free consultation with your injector to discuss further.
While people as young as 21 can legally receive Botox injections, we generally don’t recommend starting until wrinkles are actually visible as the effectiveness is unknown in the absence of wrinkles. An age range of 30-60 is the most common.
Yes, most clients are very happy with the outcome of their non-surgical procedures and say they look younger and feel more refreshed. However, it’s important to understand that non-surgical treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers have limits and may not achieve every goal. Therefore, it is absolutely crucial to sit down with your injector and review realistic outcomes/expectations, benefits, and risks. Individual results vary.
The number of Botox units or millilitres of Dermal filler you need depends on your muscles, anatomy, and goals. Your injector determines the dose using several factors like examining your facial movements. We will work with you to develop the right plan.
For more information on cosmetic injections, visit the Health Canada page.