Botox and fillers for radiant, smooth skin

Botox and fillers fall under the umbrella term injectables. Those injectables can improve the appearance of your face without effectively requiring surgical surgery.

Many people think that Botox and fillers are the same product, but that's not true at all. There is definitely a difference in the action and use of Botox and fillers.

That said, by now you're probably wondering what that difference is and which injectable treatment you need: Botox or fillers. No worries! In this blog, we explain everything to you so you know what Botox and fillers do and which treatment you need right now.

Botox: what is it and how does it work?

Botox or botulinum toxin

Let's start with Botox. Before we break down how Botox or BTX works, we would like to share two important facts that you definitely need to know about Botox. Ready for? Let's go.

The first thing to know is that Botox is not a product name, but it is a brand name. What does that mean? Well, Botox is a specific brand within the category of muscle relaxants, but the name is often used to refer to the entire category of muscle relaxants.

For example, we may say "he had Botox injected," when there are other brands of muscle relaxants on the market and deployed. Examples of other brands are Azzalure® and Bocouture®..

The second fact is that Botox is short for botulinum toxin, which is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum. Such a neurotoxin can affect the functioning of our nervous system in a controlled way.

Effect of muscle relaxants

When your plastic surgeon injects a muscle relaxant into the skin, what happens? When you apply botulinum toxin, you will block the signal transmission between the muscles and the nerves (partially and in a controlled manner) block ..

The result? The muscles will no longer contract and thus relax. However, a lot is said about Botox. Therefore, we wrote a blog in which we scientifically debunk or confirm the the myths about Botox..

Fillers: what is it and how does it work?

Hyaluronic acid-based temporary fillers

Over to the filler! Like Botox, filler is also an injectable. That is, it is applied into the skin with a fine needle or cannula. With a filler injection, hyaluronic hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally occurring in the body, is injected into the skin.

That hyaluronic acid is a substance that is naturally present in our bodies. That is, it is also broken down by our body over time. Pure hyaluronic acid is broken down by the body within two days.

Therefore crosslink We hyaluronic acid with other substances so that the results are more durable are. Eventually the filler will will be broken down by the body after a few months.. How quickly that happens depends on the anatomy of your face and your lifestyle.

Effect of hyaluronic acid fillers

So what does a hyaluronic acid filler do once it is inserted into our skin via injections? Hyaluronic acid has a very interesting property: it can hold up to 1000 times its own weight in water.

Thus, because hyaluronic acid attracts moisture, it is able to provide volume into the skin. Once the injection of hyaluronic acid is done, it will attract moisture, giving the skin a fuller appearance.

The big difference between fillers and Botox

So what is the main difference between Botox (i.e. muscle relaxants) and fillers? The main differences are in the effect of hyaluronic acid and botulinum toxin and therefore also in the application in terms of treatments.

The thing is, Botox works on the muscles. It is going to slacken the muscles, preventing them from contracting, thus reducing muscle tension. Eventually, the muscles start to relax, so wrinkles don't have the chance to be formed.

This means that Botox mainly has a preventive effect: it counteracts the appearance of wrinkles. You can read more about this below. Fillers are mainly used to add volume to the skin.. Especially for deeper wrinkles it is interesting.

Below we explain what you both injectable treatments can be used for. So you'll know immediately whether you need fillers or Botox, or both of course! Because yes, even a combination of the two techniques can lead to amazing results.

Application filler treatment

What can you use fillers for? The filler treatment is mainly used to add extra volume where needed. This can be for two reasons: loss of volume (fillers fill in wrinkles) or a natural lack of volume (for example, adding extra volume to your lips).

Fillers can be used in different areas of the face. For example, you can use them to eliminate signs of aging for a more youthful appearance or to accentuate certain certain facial features..

Application Botox treatment

We use Botox preventively or curatively. This is because treatment with Botox causes the muscles in the treated area to stop contracting as often. This makes Botox the ideal remedy for expression wrinkles.

Those expression wrinkles happen because you contract certain muscles more often than others. For example, if you often raise your eyebrows, it can cause lines on the forehead. The same goes for excessive frowning, resulting in a frown line. 

Botox allows us to treat such wrinkles. Because we partially block the signal transmission between muscle and nerve, we ensure that the muscle can no longer contract and you don't frown anymore, for example, thus preventing the formation of frown lines.

Botox is also used for different areas and ailments. Below we explain this further.

Similarities Botox and fillers

Above, you read about the difference between Botox and fillers. So although fillers and Botox have different effects and therefore different applications, there are also similarities between the two products. 

One is that they both a injectable treatment are. That is, in the treatments, we inject the substance into the face with a thin needle.

In addition, the results of both treatments are almost immediately visible. They also give the possibility for a personalized treatment, so that your desired result can be realized.

Both treatments also offer the possibility of reducing wrinkles with visible natural results.

Botox and fillers at Sarasin Clinic

Now that you know the difference between botox and fillers, you know which of these injectable treatments are right for you. Do Botox or fillers offer a solution to your problem? Then don't hesitate to book an appointment at our aesthetic clinic.

Sarasin Clinic is one of the most renowned aesthetic institutes in Flanders. Our doctors are specialized in treatments with injectables. They create for you a natural result or a slightly more pronounced result, depending on your wishes and the advice of a specialized aesthetic doctor, and help you make the choice between botox and fillers easier.