Some of us call it Botox, others call it a wrinkle-smoother. And sometimes, we mistakenly may even call it fillers! Neuromodulators and dermal fillers, while being very different, are both things that get incorporated into our beauty routine over time. And for good reason! Perfect for any age, smoothing out those stubborn wrinkles and plumping up targeted areas help us achieve the perfected and youthful look we desire.
While Botox and other neuromodulators smooth out wrinkles, dermal fillers plump up and add volume to targeted areas, often in the lips. Neuromodulators provide results within a week of treatment and last on average three to four months depending on the dose used, and are recommended four times a year. Though immediate results are not evidenced by neuromodulators, a week’s worth of waiting is a small price to pay to say goodbye to worry lines.
Conversely, dermal fillers provide results as soon as treatment is completed and last for six months on average. Collagen stimulators are best for providing the longest-lasting results, but do not grant immediate satisfaction despite the rewarding boost they can give to your face.
At Cosmetic Laser Dermatology in San Diego, CA, our expert board-certified dermatologists perform injections to ensure your desired results are achieved.
How Do Wrinkles Get There?
Some may argue that you can’t plan for everything. While this may be true, you can plan for wrinkles, and you should, as over time, they are bound to appear. To prevent wrinkles without neuromodulators, people can rely on topical skincare treatment and proper protection against the sun; but even then, fine lines may still appear. This is when we welcome neuromodulators to your anti-aging skincare regimen.
Repeated contractions in the muscles that lie perpendicular to the forming wrinkles, is the key component that leads to wrinkle visibility. Over time, UV light from the “once-so-great outdoors” begins to break down collagen and elastin fibers that are in our skin. These fibers are essential because they serve as the connective tissue that supports the skin. As this layer breaks down, our most important layer of defense begins to get weaker and less flexible, resulting in drooping skin and thus, wrinkles. Neuromodulators are ideal for wrinkle smoothing and obtaining that coveted youthful appearance.
Our San Diego Skin Care Clinic Helps Choose the Right Neuromodulator
If you’ve never had a Botox treatment, it’s worth speaking to one of our board-certified and renowned dermatologists to see which product is best for you (and yes, there are more options than just Botox!). Although Botox is the word that comes to mind when treating wrinkles, there are four different options of neuromodulators to choose from to target these unwanted worry and frown lines.
Botox
Botox has a wide range of benefits, which include:
- Minimally invasive
- Zero downtime
- Quick sessions
- Visible results in 1 week or less
- Lasting results for 3-4 months
Whether you have worry lines, frown lines, or forehead wrinkles, Botox can provide a quick fix to deliver desired results. In fact, when in the hands of an expert, Botox can also treat other concerns such as chin dimples, gummy smiles, dropping brow lines, TMJ, and so much more.
Dysport
Dysport is particularly effective for treating dynamic facial wrinkles that develop as a result of facial expressions and muscle movements, such as when talking, smiling, or frowning. Aside from treating overlapping issues that Botox can treat, like TMJ and chin dimples, this treatment is also used for correcting the following issues:
- Forehead lines
- Crow’s feet
- Glabellar lines (or frown lines)
Ideal for a lunchtime treat, Dysport injectable appointments take only thirty minutes to an hour and also have zero downtime!
Jeuveau
Jeuveau is the newest neuromodulator on the market, approved on February 1, 2019. The secret of this neuromodulator lies in its proprietary Hi-Pure™ technology. Administered easily and evenly, Jeuveau spreads out into a consistency that you will love.
Formulated with molecules similar in size to those in Botox, this neuromodulator is the gold standard of the industry. At Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, we offer same day and walk-in appointments, which can be ideal for those who have a schedule that is difficult to fit in some self-care and much-needed rest and relaxation.
Xeomin
With added benefits of treating deeper lines and wrinkles and taking effect more quickly, Xeomin provides lasting results of up to six months. Xeomin consists purely of the type A botulinum toxin, referred to as a “naked” product, which reduces the risk of a person developing antibodies to the product.
Plump and Go with Dermal Fillers
Whereas neuromodulators smooth out wrinkles, delivering desirable results, that’s not the only thing we look to improve when beginning to enhance our beauty. Dermal fillers provide the optimal solution in plumping up targeted areas, such as our lips and cheeks.
Trending on social media platforms and propelled by Kylie Jenner, the ideal lip anatomy has become a well sought after commodity. Our doctors at Cosmetic Laser Dermatology in San Diego are trained to create lips that are not only proportionate to the face, but that also have a well-defined border and volume that tapers off at the corners of our mouths.
Dermal Fillers
Differing from Botox and other neuromodulators, dermal fillers provide results lasting an average of six to twelve months and have an added bonus of being reversible. Once injected, the skin’s supply of hyaluronic acid increases, which begins to revitalize and add volume to the skin. This can reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles and is the perfect solution for plumping up areas like the lips.
But if you feel the need to reverse the filler, our board-certified dermatologists can inject an enzyme known as hyaluronidase, which will dissolve the particles of the hyaluronic acid.
Our Medispa Will Choose the Right Filler
There are many different fillers to choose from when it comes time to revamp and revitalize your skin. Among the top names for fillers are Juvederm, Sculptra, Radiesse, and Restylane, though Sculptra and Radiesse are more technically known as collagen stimulators.
In injecting, two techniques can be used: cannula and needle. The cannula needle is blunter and goes under the skin. Due to not having a sharp point, this may result in less bruising and is sometimes considered safer, but this is still open for debate at dermatological conferences.
Juvederm
An injectable gel filler that improves skin elasticity by supplementing your body’s hyaluronic acid, the Juvederm family includes Juvederm XC, Voluma XC, Volbella XC, Ultra XC, and Ultra Plus XC.
Each of these products can be injected into facial areas that will reduce marionette lines, smile lines, and address cheek definition, as well as provide a nearly instant solution to wanting bigger, fuller lips.
Its HA composition is used to not only effectively soften deep folds and lines that develop over time in the face but to also shape the face with new contours and definition by restoring lost volume. Juvederm products can provide benefits for those who have:
- Marionette lines
- Lines in the corners of the mouth (smoker’s lines)
- Superficial forehead lines
- Lip borders and vertical lip lines
- Smile lines (nasolabial folds)
- Nose shaping
- Cheek definition
- Under-eye circles (tear troughs)
- Facial asymmetry
Restylane
As with Juvederm, Restylane has a number of products within the Restylane family that will provide plump lips or a volumized appearance in a single appointment. Such products include Restylane Kysse, Restylane Defyne and Refyne, Restylane Silk, and Restylane Lyft.
The secret is in the specially-formulated version of hyaluronic acid in which:
- Smaller particles of skin-rejuvenating elements help improve fine lines and wrinkles while also offering more detailed shape of your facial contours,
- Medium-sized particles help minimize moderate wrinkles, lines, and folds,
- Larger particles that help volumize depleted skin, restore fullness to sagging skin, and reduce severe wrinkles and lines.
Sculptra treatment for nasolabial folds by Dr. Fabi. Disclaimer: Results may vary from patient to patient. Results are not guaranteed. Actual un-retouched patient before and after.
Sculptra
Perhaps the best product that yields long-lasting results of up to two years are collagen stimulators, which require patience. Unlike other fillers, and even neuromodulators, results are not seen immediately and can take up to six weeks before the latest round of beauty enhancements have been completed.
Learn more about the long-lasting Sculptra by visiting pubmed.gov.
Sculptra is a collagen replacer, which replaces the volume lost in the aging process. Loss of volume tends to be a key component that makes us look aged, but Sculptra provides a lasting solution with a youthful appearance.
Sculptra is used to improve the following areas:
- Deep folds between the nose and mouth
- The lines framing your mouth
- Chin wrinkles
- Temples
- Under the eyes
- Jawline
- Chest
Radiesse
Radiesse, another collagen stimulator, is made of calcium-based microspheres and works to stimulate your body’s collagen production. Much like Sculptra, results are not seen immediately, but they will last much longer than any other dermal filler.
The world-renowned dermatologists at Cosmetic Laser Dermatology are the only ones to be named the “Radiesse Hands Center of Excellence in San Diego.” Each physician cares and aims to deliver unparalleled results, which is why they perform Radiesse treatments themselves as opposed to a nurse or an assistant.
Schedule Your Medical Spa Appointment Today
If you’re interested in a more youthful appearance, contact Cosmetic Laser Dermatology at (858) 943-2113 for more information about neuromodulators and dermal fillers and watch Dr. Boen speak on both in her related webinar.
With board-certified and expert dermatologists by your side, your dreams of perfected beauty are only a consultation away.
