Man getting botox Tucson treatment

Have you ever asked, “Where have all these lines and wrinkles come from?” You are definitely not alone. As we age, our skin cells become less able to produce elastin (a natural collagen in the skin) and our skin gets drier and thinner. The hyaluronic acid in our body also diminishes, reducing skin support and giving the appearance of sagging skin. Now we look into the mirror and see fine lines and wrinkles and wonder how our skin aged so much when we don’t feel a day over 25 years old. Because you are a “take charge” type of person, you’ve decided to be proactive and rid your face of wrinkles, but which is the best course of action: Botox or Juvederm Fillers?

Juvederm

Juvederm is an FDA approved dermal filler. It works to add volume to lines and folds of the face as well as adding volume to the lips. Juvederm contains hyaluronic acid which helps retain more moisture, creates more plumpness and can last from 12 to 24months. During your treatment, Juvederm is carefully injected into problematic areas to give the patient a natural look. Treatments take 15-25 minutes, depending on the number of injections needed and the number of areas being treated. Patients report seeing results immediately with optimal results appearing within 2 weeks. While there is no downtime with Juvederm treatments, there may be minor side effects such as swelling, bruising, and slight bleeding at the injection sites. These usually subside within a short period of time.

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Botox

Botox was the first FDA approved product for improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Botox is a purified protein that works by reducing muscle contractions in the face. When this is done, the proper muscles are weakened to soften lines in the face. Very fine needles deliver tiny injections into specific muscles between the eyebrows, near the eyes for crow’s feet, and into the forehead for reducing forehead lines. Results normally appear in 4 to 7 days with full effects appearing in 2-3 weeks. These results last anywhere from 3 to 4 months.

While there is no downtime with Botox, it is recommended that patients do not do strenuous exercise for 12-24 hours and that they avoid massaging the area where the injections were given.

Which Is Right For Me?

As a general rule of thumb, Botox is used in the upper face where muscles create lines from repeated movements in the forehead, between the eyes, and around the eyes (crow’s feet). Dermal fillers generally treat creases and folds in the lower part of the face around the nose and mouth and to plump lips. These are wrinkles that are visible when your face is at rest, as opposed to expression lines that appear when you talk, smile, or frown, etc. Botox temporarily freezes muscles while dermal fillers fill in areas that lack fullness. In many cases, your medical professional may recommend a combination of the two types of injections in order to achieve the results you are desiring. This is very common since there are two basic types of wrinkles.

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In addition to considering the type of wrinkles and the amount of time that each product lasts, the cost may also be a factor in your decision. The cost will depend on the quality, concentration, doctor, and the area in which you live. Botox is generally less expensive per unit than Juvederm, but also does not last as long. Your doctor will recommend the best course of treatment for your individual needs.

Take The Next Step

The very best way to determine whether Botox or Juvederm is right for you is by consulting a trusted medical professional. Take the next step and schedule a complimentary consultation with the amazing team at Dermatology & Plastic Surgery of Arizona.

Fill out the form on this page or call our Tucson location at 520-207-3100 or our Sierra Vista location at 520-458-1787. We look forward to seeing you soon!

*Individual Results May Vary