If you are looking to reduce the wrinkles and deep lines within your skin, you may be a good candidate for a “liquid facelift.” A liquid facelift, or soft lift, involves the use of dermal fillers in conjunction with Botox® treatments. The procedure for a liquid facelift consists of a series of injections to the skin and is considered minimally invasive. In most cases, this procedure takes no longer than 30 minutes and the patient can resume normal activities almost immediately.
What is the difference between Botox® and Dermal Fillers?
Botox® is a purified protein that interferes with muscle contraction and overuse. And while the name “Botox” is most widely used to describe the treatment, it can also be referred to as Dysport and Xeomin.
“Botox® treats definition lines,” says Dr. Adam Mamelak, board certified dermatologist in Austin, Texas. “If you work out regularly, you get tones and defined muscles. It looks great for the biceps, the crows feet and worry lines are another story.”
Botox® primarily effects fine lines and wrinkles caused by chronic repetitive muscle movements. The medical term for these lines in dynamic rhytides. Soft tissue fillers, on the other hand, restore volume lost from the skin over time. This volume loss contributes to hollows and deep folds in the skin.
“Fillers work in a number of ways. Many pull water into the skin, restoring plumpness and volume,” explains Dr. Miriam Hanson, dermatologist and cosmetic expert at Sanova Dermatology. “Most stimulate the body to produce and lay down more collagen in the areas where they are administered.”
The most common areas treated with Botox® are the forehead, crows feet and glabella (the worry lines between the eyes), but can also be used to treat down
turned corners of the mouth, square jaw, and even to alleviate jowling and neck lines. Fillers are often used in the cheeks, temples, smile lines, around the mouth and for lip augmentation. “The fact is, we are discovering new uses for fillers everyday,” notes Dr. Hanson. “I’ve used them to restore volume in the hands, help with sagging earlobes, even to change the shape of a patient’s nose that didn’t want to undergo surgery for a nose job.”
A common misconception related to Botox® is that the patient will lose expression and the ability to emote normally after treatment. “Sure you can certainly paralyze muscle movement with Botox®,” says Dr. Mamelak, “but an experienced injector would never do this.” After treatment, Dr, Mamelak notes patients will experience a more vibrant appearance and maintain the ability to express emotion normally. “It’s a fine balance between softening muscles and fine lines, while ensuring a patient can still have normal movement and expression. With the right dosage and technique, this can easily be achieved.”
Dermal fillers are used to treat established wrinkles and lines. Soft tissue fillers came in many different types; some of the most popular are Juvederm, Voluma, Restylane, Belotero, Sculptra, and Radiesse. In addition to reducing the appearance of wrinkles, dermal fillers can also be used to “fill out” areas on the face, such as the lips.
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