Tox and Fillers: What’s the Diff?
Botox and Juvederm and Xeomin and Vollure, oh my! We throw a lot of names of products around when we discuss your aesthetic goals. But I wanted to get back to basics and talk about the fundamental differences and indications between neurotoxins and traditional fillers.
You may say to yourself, well duh, that’s easy. But the majority of society does not know or understand what the differences are. Aesthetic medicine is highly sensationalized in all forms of media, and most times lump the two together. So let’s talk about what each is first, then dive into indications and uses.
If you have perused the Aiyana Atelier website, you see that I use the term neurotoxin. Call it what you want (I see a lot of ‘anti-wrinkle injections’ too ), but a neurotoxin is an agent that impairs the normal functioning of the central nervous system. For our intents and purposes, this simply means stopping the signal that makes a muscle contract, thereby decreasing movement and wrinkling. Placed precisely, it can also lift certain areas of the face (like a brow lift) which may seem contradictory; however, that is why you need a good injector that knows their anatomy.
Botox recently celebrated her 20-year anniversary - she looked so good, no one even raised a brow at her birthday party :-) Since coming to market, Botox is probably the most well known brand named neurotoxin. Other neurotoxins on the market are Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin. While there are differences among each, collectively, their job is to temporarily stop tight/strong/overactive muscle movement to relax, and secondarily produce a lifting action. Neurotoxins used to be primarily indicated for the upper face, but after more studies, they can be used all over the face and neck for aesthetic as well as medicinal needs too (looking at you armpit stains, looking at you!). While many of the ways we use them are still considered off-label, there is an accepted standard of practice. So how does it work on anti-aging, prevention, and correction of wrinkles? Well, simply put: what doesn’t crinkle, won’t wrinkle!
What neurotoxins do NOT do is create volume.
So now that we know what the job of neurotoxins are, let us talk about fillers. Fillers provide volume, shape, support, and suppleness to the injected sight to build or restore a youthful appearance. Fillers are made of hyaluronic acid or calcium hydroxyapatite. As we age our bones naturally start to degrade slowly, which starts shifting our facial fat pads and pulls at our supporting ligaments. Don’t panic, it happens to us all. It’s no different than a house settling over time and the floor shifting a little. This process is simply aging. Adding filler to the cheeks, for example, can help to augment or off-set that bone loss, and provide more definition. Don’t like the disappearing act your lips are center stage for? Filler! Don’t like that weird dark shadow where your jaw used to be? Filler! Endless options! By changing shadows and superficial structure on the face, we can highlight the areas we want to and soften harsh shadows. Think of it as creating a natural contour or perfect highlight. Examples of fillers are Juvederm, Restylane, Vollure, Vobella, RHA. Radiesse, Voluma, and many more.
What fillers do NOT do is stop muscle movements.
You may say, can I get volume and stop muscle movement? Absolutely! Skilled injectors know when it’s appropriate to combine both fillers and neurotoxins to achieve your aesthetic goals (and when NOT to!). That’s why we talk in-depth during our consultation and throughout your treatment course with me as your goals may change. I want you to have a thorough understanding of the ‘why’ and the science behind what I do for you.
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