There is an assortment of treatment options when it comes to wrinkle treatment. While there are several over-the-counter products, an increasing number of people turn to doctors and specialists to go for authentic treatments with more effective and longer-lasting results. For this purpose, the widely used treatments include Botox and Dermal Fillers.
Although both the procedures are aimed to reduce wrinkles, there are predominant differences between them. These treatments are commonly practiced, with greater than 9 million cases performed in 2015, as per data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Before resorting to any of the procedures, you should know the procedures, cost, and associated risks to keep realistic expectations of what can be achieved.
What Is Botox & What Can It Achieve?
Botox treatment in Singapore comprises refined bacteria botulinum toxin type A, which freezes the muscles. This way, botox helps to diminish fine lines and wrinkles that show with age. Although this bacterium can cause deadly effects in large amounts in small and regulated amounts, it has been safely used to fix wrinkles.
At the site where botox is injected, the neuronal signals in the muscles are blocked. With the interruption of these signals, the targeted muscle becomes paralyzed or frozen transiently. When the affected muscles do not contract in the face, specific wrinkles can be relaxed, faded, or even eliminated.
The brands offering botulinum toxin include Allergan Botox, Xeomin, and Dysport.
However, botox generally only works on wrinkles that appear due to muscle movement called dynamic wrinkles and expression lines.
Most commonly, botox can treat dynamic wrinkles on the upper part of the face, including the “11” lines between the eyebrows, crow’s feet surrounding the eyes, horizontal lines over the forehead, and crow’s feet around the eyes. These lines are formed by frowning, smiling, squinting, and other facial expressions.
Botox won’t work much on the wrinkles and fine lines produced by loss of facial plumpness and sagging, known as static wrinkles. These include lines on the neck, cheeks, and jowl areas.
Additionally, though remarkable, the results of botox are not permanent and need repeated sessions to maintain the wrinkle-reducing effects. The results mostly last for 3 – 4 months before needing a subsequent session.
What Are Dermal Fillers & What Can They Achieve?
Dermal fillers, also called soft tissue fillers, are biodegradable gels administered into the skin layers for adding volume and plumpness.
The components of dermal fillers add fullness to the parts that have thinned because of aging, particularly in the lips, cheeks, and mouth. The key components of several dermal fillers include:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Calcium hydroxylapatite
- Polylactic acid
Each filler is a different compound and has a slightly different effect on the body.
The time that is taken by them to show their results and their duration of action varies. Some fillers can last for six months, and others for two years or more. Most commonly used are hyaluronic acid fillers lately.
Your doctor would determine which filler will best match your needs. As per the type of dermal filler selected, it can achieve:
- Plumped up lips
- Enhanced sunken areas on the face
- Reduced shadows or wrinkles under your eyes caused by the lower eyelid
- Fill or fade scars
- Fill in or diminish static wrinkles
Results
Botox
Generally, the effects of botox injections become noticeable in about a week after injection. Typically, one session is sufficient to achieve the desired outcomes. Any asymmetry can be corrected by touch-up injections after 2 to 3 weeks.
Frequently, botox injections may last for approximately 3 to 4 months. With repetitive injections, the smoothening results are maintained, and the interval between subsequent injections is prolonged.
Dermal Fillers
The outcomes of dermal fillers can be seen instantly, but it may take a couple of weeks for stabilized results to show. The results for different types of fillers last, for different times. These are tabulated below.
Who Are Not The Right Candidates?
The right candidates for both the procedures are the ones who do not have an underlying disease and are in good health overall and have the right expectations of the procedure.
The procedures are contraindicated in people who are
- Pregnant
- Breastfeeding
- Having weak facial muscles
- Suffering from neurological disorders such as myasthenia gravis (botox)
- Facing skin issues, including deep scars or thick skin (botox)
- Allergic to a component of the filler
- Discouraged for individuals who smoke. (dermal fillers)
- Infection at the injection site
Efficacy
Botox
The results of botox injections are profound for most individuals, as per the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAOS). The chances are that you will notice evident outcomes within a week after receiving the injection. Botox marks a cost-effective procedure as it shows remarkable effects with minimal risk of serious side effects.
Botox Singapore, has zero recovery time. After receiving the injections, you may continue carrying out your daily tasks and activities. The results of Botox remain evident for approximately 3 – 4 months, after which you will have to receive a maintenance session to revitalize the results.
Dermal Fillers
The results of Dermal fillers are considered safe and effective. They last longer in comparison to the outcomes of Botox, in general. However, the results can vary slightly depending upon the filler type used. Like Botox, touch-up treatments would be needed as the effects of the fillers wear off.
Side Effects
Like any other medical procedure, both the procedures have their own set of side effects. Although these side effects are generally mild and fade away with time, you need to discuss with your clinician any special considerations in your case, particularly if you have any underlying health condition.
Risks And Side Effects Of Botox
The side effects of Botox can include:
- Bruises at the injection site
- Eye redness and irritation
- Drooping eyelids – that resolve within a few weeks
- Headaches
Your doctor may recommend taking eye drops prior to receiving Botox injections to decrease the possibility of eye side effects. Also, you may be advised to stop using blood thinners a couple of days before the procedure to avoid bruising.
Risks And Side Effects Of Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are considered to have more risks and side effects as compared to Botox. However, the chances of serious side effects are minimal. The side effects are generally mild to moderate and typically ease out within one or two weeks. Certain side effects are as follows.
- Bruising
- Itching
- Redness
- Numbness
- Allergic Reaction
- Infection
- Scarring
- Sores
Rarely, or if not in the right hands, prolonged facial swelling may occur. Ice packs may be helpful in alleviating numbness and swelling. When taking the filler injection for the first time, it is recommended that you do allergy testing prior to receiving your treatment to confirm the absence of any serious skin condition.
Cost And Affordability
Specialists are available to perform both botox and dermal fillers Singapore. Your skin issues can be fixed, and you can have a rejuvenated, glowing skin after a fairly simple procedure performed at an appropriate clinical setting.
The cost of filler and botox treatments are different, and even one procedure may cost a person differently depending upon several factors. These include the clinician’s expertise, the reputation and location of the clinic, the complexity of your case, and the type of filler used.
These treatment procedures are not covered by insurance, but you may get several financing or payment options from your clinic.
Botox
The cost of Botox Singapore averages from $150-$1000. Thus, it may be a more affordable option than dermal fillers. Nonetheless, more injections may be needed as compared to dermal fillers.
Dermal Fillers
Similarly, the price of dermal fillers differs by the type and number of fillers used. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has given the following estimation for its cost.
In Singapore, its cost ranges between $700 and $2000 per syringe. However, you should note that this is an estimated cost for each dermal filler session, and your healthcare professional will be in a position to give you a more precise estimation of how much the procedure will cost you.
Bottom Line
It should also be kept in mind that both Botox and dermal fillers effectively treat slightly diverse issues and are generally used at different spots on the face. Besides, they are also used as complementary procedures in concurrence with other treatments to achieve the desired outcomes. Evaluate your options and equip yourself with knowledge about them to make a better choice.
Whether you should get treatment with dermal fillers or botox, or a combination of both is best determined by your doctor. You should attend your first consultation session for a detailed discussion of every aspect of your case with a board certified plastic surgeon.
About Dream Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery
Bespoke surgical for cosmetic or medical reasons is what Dream covers to bring out the beauty in every individual. Going beyond the aesthetics and working on physical anomalies are what we value the most in leading our patients to cherish self-improvement and confident lifestyles.
Derived from Associate Professor Vincent Yeow’s long-standing experience performing plastic surgery in Singapore, our treatment plans deliver physical remodelling in our patients’ favour. One of the notable remodellings is droopy eyelid correction. The ptosis surgery used for treatment eventually fixes drooping eyelids, improves vision and enhances appearance.
Most importantly, as a trustworthy plastic surgery and aesthetic clinic, we treasure positive and natural outcomes for each individual. We will ensure to deliver the beauty refinement of your dream without compromising your safety and privacy.
