Botox vs Fillers: what's the difference? Cosmopolitan Clinic Amsterdam
If celebrities suddenly look very different, you often hear that they have used (too much) botox. However, this is not always correct: botox and fillers are often confused. It is true that both can fight wrinkles and they are both injectables. Injectables is a collective name for botox, fillers, Profhilo, and other skin boosters. These are all injectable and provide a younger, fresher, and tighter look and/or shape. They all achieve a different effect, in this article, the difference between botox and fillers is explained.
Botox
Botox is actually a brand name, the active substance of which is botulinum toxin type A. Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin, a natural protein that relaxes muscles. Because the active ingredient relaxes the muscles, this type of injectable is usually used to treat wrinkles caused by increased muscle tension. Consider, for example, fine lines that emerge through expression, such as when laughing, frowning, and looking surprised.
Relaxation of the muscle makes the skin smoother and tighter, causing wrinkles to look softer. For example, a wrinkle relaxer is often used to smoothen the frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet. Botulinum toxin can also be used to counteract increased muscle tension, such as grinding teeth or clenching the jaw. In addition, the injectable can also be used against excessive sweating, as the effect also blocks the sweat glands. Moreover, botulinum toxin can be used for a gummy smile. The botulinum toxin effect is only temporary: approximately between three to five months.
At Cosmopolitan Clinic Amsterdam we work with the brand Bocouture, which is the purest neurotoxin on the market. Bocouture does not contain any unnecessary proteins, so there is a very low chance that an allergic reaction will occur. For more applications of wrinkle relaxers and fillers see the image below.
Fillers
(Dermal) Fillers are injectables that have a volumizing effect. Fillers are used for various purposes. For example, you can use fillers to add volume, such as to the lips. Fillers can also restore volume loss, such as with the tear troughs. Fillers can also help improve contours, such as the cheekbones, jawline, or through a liquid nose job.
Fillers can be used to soften and reduce wrinkles. Examples of this are the nasolabial folds, décolletage lines, and marionette lines. Unlike botox, the lines are literally filled in when using fillers, hence the name.
Most fillers are based on hyaluronic acid. Other fillers such as calcium hydroxylapatite or polylactic acid filler have an additional biostimulatory effect whereby the collagen production of the skin is stimulated. Nowadays fillers have a temporary effect and are biodegradable. Depending on the type of filler and the treatment location, fillers will last between six and twenty-four months.
So what is the difference between botox or fillers?
Botox and fillers achieve a completely different effect. Botox causes the muscles to relax, making the skin smoother. Botulinum toxin is therefore especially suitable for lines in places where the face moves by expression. In contrast, the effect of fillers is to add volume, so they quite literally fill up. The choice between botox and fillers is therefore completely dependent on the effect you want to achieve. Botox and fillers can also be used together, they can support each other. A good cosmetic doctor has an expert eye for this. He/she can advise you on this, so that you can obtain your desired look.
