What are dermal fillers? At our practice in Houston dermal fillers and injectables are injectable cosmetic gel treatments that reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the face for a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance. Although dermal fillers and injectables provide the same results, they do not act in the same way. Dermal fillers typically replenish the lost volume in the face, giving it a plump and youthful appearance, while injectables smooth away “action wrinkles” caused by repeated facial movements by temporarily relaxing the muscles in the treated areas. If you’re unsure which dermal filler or injectable treatments are right for you, come in for a one-on-one consultation with one of our aesthetic nurse specialists. They’ll sit down with you, listen to your concerns, and develop a fully personalized treatment plan for you based on your desired results.
What is the difference between Botox & filler? There is a common misconception that the words “Botox” and “filler” are interchangeable, but in reality, these two types of injectables are very different in both usage, recovery times, and outcomes. Botox is a specially formulated product that targets the muscles underneath the skin. These are the muscles that create wrinkles by repeating similar movements (such as laughing or frowning) over time. When Botox is injected, it acts to relax these muscles in order to prevent the formation of wrinkles in the first place. Therefore, the appearance of wrinkles begins to fade. Botox is just one brand of neuromodulator (others you may have heard of include Dysport, Xeomin, or Jeuveau). Dermal Fillers on the other hand, such as Restylane, Juvederm, and RHA and are composed of hyaluronic acid. With dermal fillers Houston patients can improve the appearance of sunken cheeks, and wrinkles around the nose and mouth (like laugh lines, eleven’s, lips, and frown lines) by adding volume/substance below the skin. Fillers are designed to replenish the skin by creating the appearance of volume and smoothness underneath the skin. Some dermal fillers are popular in particular because they invoke natural processes in the skin to plumpen in the area of injection long-term—so even once the filler has been metabolized, it leaves the skin better than it found it! To summarize: Botox reduces wrinkles by relaxing underlying muscles; dermal fillers reduce wrinkles by adding volume.
What brands of filler do you offer at Studio Essex? At Heights Plastic Surgery, Dr. Cara Downey, Dr. Jamal Bullocks, and their team of professionals offer the following dermal fillers and injectables: Restylane® Starting Cost: $675 Restylane® is our most popular dermal filler treatment, typically used to restore lost volume in the cheeks and around the mouth. Restylane® is also popular with our younger generations for adding fullness to the lips. Radiesse® Starting Cost: $675 Radiesse® is a long-lasting dermal filler that boosts the body’s natural production of collagen for long-term results that just get better over time. Juvéderm® Starting Cost: $500 Juvéderm® is another hyaluronic-acid based dermal filler similar to Restylane® and is also used to restore volume in the cheeks, around the mouth, and in thin lips.
