WHEN IS BOTOX AND WHEN IS HYALURONIC ACID USED TO TREAT FACIAL WRINKLES AND WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

In aesthetic medicine, Botox and hyaluronic acid are probably the most common means of treating facial wrinkles. However, there are a lot of speculations and half-truths about these two substances on the Internet. This article will focus on the differences between the two substances and the fact that one cannot simply be replaced by the other.

BOTOX

Botulinum toxin, or Botox for short, is a substance that interferes with the transmission of excitation by nerve cells through its inhibitory effect, thus smoothing out small wrinkles. From a medical point of view, Botox is a drug. It is by no means a nerve poison. Moreover, it completely degrades after some time. The smoothing of wrinkles in this treatment results from the inhibitory effect. The areas of application of Botox for the treatment of facial wrinkles can be frown lines, crow’s feet and forehead wrinkles.

HYALURONIC ACID

Hyaluronic acid is often called a filler because it is a medical product used to fill wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid is a filler substance. The smoothing of wrinkles in this treatment occurs because hyaluronic acid binds the water under the top layer of the skin and the wrinkle is “filled up”. Primarily, hyaluronic acid is used to restore volume to the face. There are different “thicknesses” of hyaluronic acid.  Depending on the depth and expression of the wrinkles, different preparations can be used. For example, a rather thin hyaluronic acid is used for superficial wrinkles and a thicker one for deeper ones. Hyaluronic acid is often used in the treatment of tired eyes – dark circles – and the nasolabial fold.

WHICH PRODUCT IS RIGHT FOR ME?

Patients often prefer to have a filler treatment instead of a Botox treatment, as the term “Botox” has gained an unjustified bad reputation, not least due to the tabloid media. However, it is by no means the case that one can simply be replaced by the other. As already mentioned, a combination of both products can also lead to the optimal result. Therefore, a professional is needed who will deal with the patient, the nature of the tissue and the affected area on an individual basis. We work with the product “Belotero” from the Merz company.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information about Botox and hyaluronic acid and their fields of application can be found under the heading “Aesthetic treatments/Face”.