With so many injectable fillers on the market, it can be hard to determine which one is best for you. Injectable fillers have the benefit of eliminating or reducing facial wrinkles without the need for surgery. Currently, Juvéderm, and Restylane lead the market as the main injectable fillers used by patients and plastic surgeons. Botox and Dysport are the most commonly used muscle relaxing agents for the wrinkles around the eyes, forehead and much, much more. Dr. Leonard Grossman, M.D. is a plastic surgeon in Brooklyn, NY who uses all these products in his practice. The question then remains: which is right for you?
Botox or Dysport treatment works by essentially temporarily freezing or weakening the muscles in the face. In doing this, you relax the face, reducing the appearance of worry lines or wrinkles. Botox or Dysport is used most frequently to eliminate worry lines around the eyebrows. It can also treat horizontal lines in the forehead, and help reduce lines that form around the mouth. Botox may also help with the vertical bands in the neck. Botox treatments last about three to four months.
The benefit of Botox is that it is fast, and will not effect your sensory nerves. The treated area will not feel numb following treatment. Botox is composed of a protein produced by a bacteria.
Restylane, on the other hand, is a kind of hyaluronic acid. This molecule is naturally occurring in the body and is found in the skin. Hyaluronic acid keeps the skin well hydrated. It retains water and helps the skin increase in volume naturally when injected.
Restylane is typically used to fill wrinkles just about anywhere, it may help with dark circles under the eye, increase cheek volume, camouflage early formation of jowls, and improve facial symmetry. Restylane can last anywhere from six months to as long as a year, or longer. Because Restylane is composed of a naturally-occurring molecule in the body, there is no risk of allergic reaction.
Juvéderm is also composed of hyaluronic acid. It is derived using slightly different techniques than Restylane. Juvéderm treats facial folds, can smooth out dark circles under the eye, enhance the lips, fill and contour the cheeks, and can even be used for straightening a crooked nose (nose job in the bottle).
Because each filler has unique properties and treats different concerns, there isn’t a clear-cut prescription of which filler should be used and when. Canadian Living recently compared the products in terms of cost, and it seems evident that patients need to know which filler is being used and what to use in the future.
Speaking with a skilled plastic surgeon about your plastic surgery needs, allergies, and aesthetic concerns is the key first step in deciding which course of treatment is best for you.
Dr. Leonard Grossman, M.D. is one of few plastic surgeons in the world who has had the privilege of using Restylane, Botox and Juvederm the longest (more than 20 years) and has treated thousands of patients with these marvels. Dr. Grossman, takes the time to evaluate each patient’s needs and concerns before determining which course of treatment will work best. If you’re debating which filler might be best for you, the best course of action is to meet with Dr. Grossman. With his expertise, which is second to none, he can help you plan an effective and long-lasting beauty regimen.
