Posted by LawtonMD on April 9, 2015
Get the Lowdown on the Facial Injection Craze
Newport Beach, Calif. – An irksome wrinkle, sagging eyelids, fine lines that are anything but – these and other signs of aging leave us wondering how exactly to go about putting our best face forward, as the old saying goes. The answer for millions of Americans? Cosmetic injections.
By far the most popular facial injection is botulinum toxin. In 2014, injections of this – Botox is an example – accounted for 6.7 million cosmetic procedures, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Soft tissue fillers, such as Juvederm, accounted for another 2.3 million, the ASPS says.
“So many people count facial injections as their go-to cosmetic enhancement because they’re super effective and not the least bit invasive,” says board-certified cosmetic and plastic surgeon Dr. Tenley Lawton. “But it’s important to know that Botox and fillers work in unique ways. Having a surgeon who understands the difference is essential to getting the results you want.”
“While Botox and fillers aren’t interchangeable,” the Newport Beach plastic surgeon adds, “they can work in tandem for even more natural-looking results.”
So What’s the Difference Between Botox and Fillers?
First, the similarities. Both are naturally derived substances that are injected with a fine needle into specific facial areas to smooth and refine the skin. As for the differences, botulinum toxin is a purified protein that relaxes muscles in order to reduce facial lines. Fillers use Hyaluronic Acid to restore volume in areas that appear sagging, hallow or wrinkled.