Do You Need Botox Or Is A Facial Filler A Better Option?

By Tara West

Today there are more options then ever for fighting back against the signs of ageing. Women and men who are tired of dealing with their sagging skin, eye and forehead wrinkles are turning to cosmetic procedures for help. The issue with this is that not everybody understands the differences between these techniques. The two most common procedures are Botox injections and the injection of facial fillers. So as to decide which of these procedures is correct for you, you first need to understand each procedure and how it operates.

Botox is at its most effective for frown lines and the fine lines round the eyes which are commonly referred to as crow's feet. The reason that Botox is so effective in these areas is because these kinds of wrinkles are most often due to muscles which become contracted as we grow older. A Botox injection uses a small amount of a toxin to paralyze that muscle and force it to relax. When the muscle has relaxed and isn't pulling on the skin, the associated wrinkles fade or even vanish altogether.

The drawback of Botox is it's temporary. You will see your wrinkles start to come back in about 4 months. If you wish to enjoy continued results you are going to need to have the procedure repeated. Botox usually cost about $400 per treatment. This could get prohibitively costly for some people but many providers currently offer financing options for people who would like to undergo this procedure.

Facial fillers on the other had are most suitable for use in the lower part of the face. The reason these fillers are better to use in this area of the face is they do not have any effect on the muscle. Relaxing the muscles in the lower part of the face can have negative results on the way your lips and mouth can move. These effects may result in a unnatural look or worse yet give the appearance that you have suffered a stroke or other medical problem.

These facial fillers work by adding volume to your face in areas where that volume might have been lost. These products literally fill in the wrinkle so as to lessen its appearance. Unlike Botox which needs to be repeated every few months, these products often last around a year before needing to be repeated. Since you get a more enduring result with these fillers, they are also costlier. Each treatment will cost between $800 and $1200 depending on which kind of filler you opt to use.

Now you understand the basic differences between these products, you will be able to better decide which procedure may be suitable for you. Many cosmetic specialists are offering free consultations to patients which are interested in getting either of these procedures. Having a consultation with your local provider is essential to help you choose what procedure is best for you, and what financing options might be available based on your personal situation.

About the Author:

Tara West is a writer and editor . She has written broadly on skin care and beauty including many reviews of wrinkle remover products and other methods of combating the signs of ageing and various strategies for achieving a facelift without surgery