Wrinkle Fillers and Botox
for Wrinkles

The use of Botox and wrinkle fillers has gained popularity in recent years, since these products seem to fill a niche for patients who want a way to reduce facial wrinkles without submitting to a major surgical procedure like a face lift. The market for anti-aging options is very large and is predicted to expand as more Baby Boomers and Gen X-ers search for methods by which they can look younger, and Botox and wrinkle fillers appear to be an effective way to meet this need.

What are Wrinkle Fillers? Is Botox a Wrinkle Filler?

Wrinkle fillers are a variety of substances that are made to be injected underneath the skin in order to plump up the facial areas with fine lines and wrinkles. Restylane, for example, is a popular wrinkle filler that uses hyaluronic acid to bind to the water under the skin, which smoothes the wrinkles and fine lines in the immediate area. Other popular injectable wrinkle fillers include Juvederm, Perlane, and Radiesse. Side effects from wrinkle fillers include redness, swelling, and bruising; the wrinkle-reducing effect usually lasts between three and nine months before another injection is needed. Prices vary according to the filler that is used and the provider, but most average between $500 and $1,100 per treatment.

In contrast, Botox (short for Botulinum Toxin Type A ) is actually a neurotoxin that relaxes the muscles in the area in which it is injected. Once the underlying muscles are forced to relax, the skin on top of these muscles gradually smoothes out, minimizing the appearance of wrinkles. The effects last an average of four months before another Botox injection is required.

Botox is considered a safe wrinkle treatment by most medical professionals, but it is not without risks. Possible side effects include drooping eyelids, facial pain, muscle weakness, respiratory issues, and tooth problems. The price charged by medical professionals to administer Botox varies by provider and by region, but the range averages between $400 and $500 per treatment.

Does Botox Work?

Botox provides a temporary reduction in the appearance of wrinkles in some patients. Results can last up to several months, and the down time is not as long as that which is required by more invasive methods such as plastic surgery.

Botox is not effective for everyone, however. In some patients, the results from the use of Botox are not visibly apparent, and for others, the side effects are problematic. Complaints from Botox patients range from the minor, which include pain, numbness, swelling, and bruising, to major ailments, such as respiratory difficulties, drooping eyelids, and flu-like symptoms.

Best Way to Remove Wrinkles

A less traumatic method to effectively reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is the regular use of a top-performing wrinkle cream such as Complexion MD. The medically-tested ingredients found in Complexion MD's proprietary formula include several potent peptides, which gently stimulate the skin's own renewal process. Within a few weeks of use, patients report fewer fine lines and wrinkles, as well as an improvement in the skin's firmness, tone, and color.