With Botox® and dermal fillers being two of the most popular non-surgical treatments in the UK right now, Aesthetic Nurse Hannah Depledge based at Eterno Aesthetics in Sheffield discusses the differences between the two.
Both men and women are looking to have these facial aesthetic treatments, aimed at combatting the appearance of wrinkles and loss of volume in the fight against ageing.
Botox® is the brand name of the drug botulinum toxin type A, a natural, purified protein that is used to temporarily relax facial muscles that cause lines and wrinkles by blocking the signals from the nerve to the muscle. The lack of movement in the treated muscles in the face, mean that fine lines are softened, reduced, or even removed as the skin is given chance to heal. The most commonly treated areas are the frown, forehead and around the eyes (Crow’s feet) but it can also be used to treat medical conditions such as hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).
Botox® is the most well-known brand of the toxin but there are other commonly used brands such as Azzalure and Bocouture. Botox® is not a permeant treatment and repeated treatments are needed to maintain the results, usually every 3-4 months.
Dermal fillers are very different to Botox, they are made from a product called hyaluronic acid, a colourless gel that is injected into areas of volume loss. As we age, the natural collagen and elastin in and the skin decrease, the stores of hyaluronic acid reduce, and reabsorption of bone leaves the skin saggy and less well supported. Folds and wrinkles begin to develop, and people notice that they look tired, sad and angry.
By adding small amounts of carefully placed, dermal filler to certain points, this can help to lift and tighten the skin and smooth targeted folds and can really make a defence to a person’s appearance, giving them an all-round fresher appearance. Depending on the product used treatment can last from 18-24 months but, naturally, towards the end of this period the effects begin to gradually soften, and a review is recommended after a year to give a ‘top up’ if needed.
Often a combination of the two treatments Botox and dermal fillers can give the best results. Here at Eterno Aesthetics we aim to give natural results to enhance your natural appearance, not to change the way you look but to allow you to age well and look and feel your best.
Some people are put off by having these treatments due to some of the undesirable effects seen either on their friends or in the media. Expressionless frozen faces and pillow cheeks are just a couple of the worries that my clients have expressed that they have seen delivered by other practitioners. By choosing Eterno Aesthetics you can be rest assured that this is not the case. Natural, bespoke results and making you look your best is what we aim to achieve.
