Anti-Aging Treatment: BOTOX® vs. Juvéderm®
As a person ages the skin naturally loses its elasticity. Exposure to harsh environmental elements speeds up the aging process and leaves many people struggling with loose, saggy facial skin much earlier than anticipated. This, combined with the repetitive use of facial muscles can lead to lines, wrinkles, and an overall aged appearance.
At his facial plastic surgery practice, Dr. David Sherris offers his Buffalo, NY, patients a number of anti-aging treatments, including Botox, to restore a more refreshed and youthful appearance. Here, we go over some of the key differences regarding two popular anti-aging treatments: BOTOX® and Juvéderm®. Based on each patient's unique needs, Dr. Sherris can advise patients as to which treatment may be right for them.
How Do Botox and Juvederm Work?
Botox and Juvederm both address lines, wrinkles, and creases to rejuvenate the face and provide our Buffalo patients with smoother facial skin. However, while both are injectable anti-aging treatments, they work in two completely different ways.
Botox is made up of a diluted version of the botulinum toxin. Botox works as a muscle relaxer. When injected into facial muscles, it serves to temporarily paralyze them, so that they cannot contract. This dramatically reduces the appearance of wrinkles like crow’s feet, frown lines, and forehead creases.
Juvederm is a cosmetic filler. Rather than targeting the facial muscles, Juvederm softens the appearance of lines and wrinkles by filling in the skin to restore volume that has been lost as an effect of aging. Juvederm is commonly used to treat nasolabial folds (marionette lines), smile lines, and fine lines in and around the lips.
What Types of Wrinkles Do Botox and Juvederm Treat?
Because Botox and Juvederm work differently, they are effective on two different types of facial wrinkles. Botox works best for dynamic wrinkles and Juvederm works best for static wrinkles.
Dynamic wrinkles are directly related to facial muscles. Dynamic wrinkles appear when a person contracts their facial muscles to make an expression, and disappear when the face is in a rested state. Common dynamic wrinkles include crow’s feet, frown lines (the two vertical lines between the eyes), forehead creases, and smile lines.
Static wrinkles remain on the face whether a person is expressing an emotion or resting their face. That is because static wrinkles are not linked to muscle activity. Instead, static wrinkles form when facial volume is lost and the skin loses its elasticity. Common static wrinkles include creases in the cheeks, nasolabial folds, and lines around the lips.
How Long Do Botox and Juvederm Last?
Botox and Juvederm are both temporary cosmetic treatments. They are great options for our Buffalo patients who want to say good-bye to facial wrinkles without committing to a surgical procedure, like a facelift or brow lift. Although personal results may vary, Botox usually lasts three to six months and Juvederm results generally last between six and 12 months. Patients can prolong the results of each of these products by undergoing touch-up treatments.
Can I Undergo Both Botox and Juvederm Treatment?
Based on the area of the face that needs treatment and the type of wrinkles that are present, some patients may be better suited to choose either Botox or Juvederm. However, there are those who are ideal candidates for both cosmetic treatments. Botox and Juvederm treatment can safely be combined to completely rejuvenate the face, which is sometimes referred to as a liquid facelift.
Contact Us
If you are interested in learning more about Botox and Juvederm, and which treatment may be best-suited to your unique needs, we invite you to contact our facial plastic surgery practice. To schedule a personal consultation with Dr. David Sherris, send us a message online, or call (716) 884-5102.