Anti-Wrinkle Injections vs Dermal Fillers: Comparing the two aesthetic treatments

Are they different or synonymous?

Both anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers are becoming increasingly popular and are both used to address the signs of ageing and maintain a more youthful appearance. We are often asked what the difference is between the two treatments? The line between fillers and tox is often blurred, and they are commonly confused as one another and considered synonymous. The reality is that they are very different and both anti-wrinkle injections and dermal filler tackle specifically very different problems within the face.

How to choose the best treatment for your skin?

At Accent on Skin we use our extensive aesthetic experience AND our medical knowledge to help you choose the best treatment options individualised for you. Together we make an overall assessment and plan which includes:

• which parts of your face to lift or relax using anti-wrinkle injections vs dermal filler injections
• which aspects of your face to restore volume with dermal fillers vs anti-wrinkle injections

All while considering your treatment aims, budget, and overall health and medical history

Use Anti-wrinkle injection to relax your facial muscles and soften your wrinkles

Anti-wrinkle injections also known as Botulinum toxin (Botox or Dysport) are used to relax lines and soften wrinkles. At Accent on Skin we use the Botulinum toxin brand Dysport.

Dysport works by relaxing specific facial muscles that over time create ever-deepening lines and wrinkles as you age.

Dysport, the finest muscle relaxant to treat lines and wrinkles

The aim of Dysport injections is to reduce dynamic facial expressions but leave your face still looking natural as opposed to “stiff”. Here, the skill of a good cosmetic injector is paramount to avoid looking ‘frozen’ or unnatural. All muscle relaxants are used to treat lines and wrinkle that form from dynamic expressions such as frowning or squinting. Dysport can improve an aging appearance by softening lines and wrinkles and lifting the eyes and brow.

How long does Dysport treatment last?

Dysport will start working within 2-3 days of injections, but will take 2 weeks to show full effect on most clients. Dysport treatment typically lasts around 3 months. More than one treatment may be needed before you see significant results on some deeper lines. People do find over time with regular treatments their facial movements become weaker, meaning you can push out the frequency of treatments or have smaller doses at each treatment. Anti-wrinkle injections like Dysport do not address skin laxity, however we do have a number of other treatment options that can help with skin tone and texture.

Common facial areas where Dysport is injected

Some commonly injected areas of the face where Dysport are used include:

• forehead lines
• frown lines between the eyebrows
• smile lines around the eyes or lift the eyelid area
• near the lips or mouth and lip flip
• reduce a gummy smile
• Other use for Dysport injections is to treat hyperhidrosis/excessive sweating

Use Dermal Fillers to restore volume and get a better facial balance

Dermal Fillers are used to restore volume to areas of the face that need more projection or gentle shaping to get a better facial balance. They are used to “re-drape” and lift the skin. The skeletal structures underlying your skin recede as you age and fat pads on your face shrink and drop, so fillers can re-volumise the face and cheeks or jawline, helping to reduce a drawn look or hallowed look to cheeks, chin, eyes, brow or temples.

Dermal fillers, the facial volumizer to soften lines and scars

Filler injections are used primarily to enhance, augment and sculpt certain features of the face – they are facial volumisers. They can sometimes also be used to help soften some lines or scars/skin indentations or to reduce under-eye shadows in the tear trough/under eye area. The skill of your injector is also paramount with facial fillers, to create better natural aesthetic rather than an ‘over filled’ and unnatural looking result.

Dermal Fillers have a rejuvenation effect through restoring balance and volume and are an excellent enhancement option to combine with other rejuvenating facial procedures including Anti-wrinkle injections and skin resurfacing treatments.

How long does Hyaluronic acid (HA) treatment last?

You can see the results of dermal fillers immediately following placement with improvement in the area treated over the coming weeks. Dermal fillers last varied times depending in the type of filler (light, medium or deep filler) and the site it has been placed. We use Hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers, HA is a naturally occurring substance that is already found in your skin, it helps to build collagen and keep your skin plump and hydrated. Over time your body will use and naturally absorb the HA filler particles. Light fillers last around 3-6 months, medium fillers last around 9-12 months and the deep filler lasts 18 months or longer in some people.

Cosmetic Injecting: It’s both an ART and a SCIENCE

Good cosmetic injection outcomes require a combined approach of aesthetics, along with advanced medical knowledge of dermal fillers and botulinum uses and injecting strategies.

But you MUST keep your expectations realistic and understand the risks of dermal filler and anti-wrinkle injections – these will be discussed with you in your planning consultation.

Often, it is a combination of both dermal fillers AND anti-wrinkle injections that will be the best solution to accomplish what you are wanting to achieve; but going slowly and not doing too much at once is the best plan of action.

And it’s important to remember that treatments will need to be repeated over time, if you like the results. Both anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers are temporary solutions not permanent.

A skilled and experienced injector avoids both the ‘expressionless facial appearance’ and the over-filled MAFs look and at Accent on Skin our aim is to give you a beautiful and natural result.