Restylane® and Botox® are both well-known products with outstanding anti-aging benefits, but if you’re only beginning to explore the world of cosmetic injectables, you might be surprised to learn about their unique pros and cons.
Will you choose Restylane® instead of Botox® or decide to combine them? The information in this post will help you decide.
What’s the Difference Between Restylane® and Botox®?
Restylane® is a dermal filler made from hyaluronic acid, which is a substance your body naturally produces. It’s excellent for correcting mild to moderate wrinkles around the mouth and filling in areas where you’ve lost volume, such as your cheeks, lips, tear troughs, and the backs of your hands.
Botox® is a neuromodulator made from a purified version of the botulinum toxin. It blocks signals that tell your facial muscles to contract, which will soften dynamic wrinkles around your forehead, eyes, and eyebrows. Botox® will temporarily prevent repetitive expressions like frowning and squinting, thus minimizing fine lines like crow’s feet, brow furrows, and the “11 lines” between your eyebrows.
Restylane® and Botox® injections are quick, simple, and relatively painless. You can get them in a single, in-office appointment with no anesthesia and receive clearance to resume your typical daily schedule immediately afterward.
Should You Get Restylane®, Botox®, or Both?
If your primary concern is a loss of volume and contour or pronounced wrinkles around your mouth and lips, and you want a long-lasting solution that doesn’t require surgery, you may be a well-qualified candidate for Restylane®. If you’re more worried about premature aging in the upper one-third of your face, you should consider Botox® instead. However, you may want to combine these two anti-aging treatments if you’re seeking a full facial rejuvenation.
Are There Risks Associated With Restylane® and Botox®?
Both products are FDA-approved to reduce signs of aging, and Botox® has other medical uses, too, including migraine relief and controlling excess sweating. When you trust a trained provider to perform your injections, there’s little to no risk of getting Botox® or Restylane® treatments. However, it’s essential to note that these two products are also available from unskilled injectors, so it pays to be choosy. Someone who lacks advanced knowledge of facial anatomy and skin needs could introduce too little or too much of the product into the treatment area, leading to unsatisfying or unnatural-looking results.
When done under the supervision of one of our board-certified dermatologists, the side effects of Restylane® and Botox® injections are minimal. They include minor redness, swelling, bruising, and irritation at the injection site. While these will resolve on their own after a day or two, you can control them by applying ice packs and conceal them with makeup.
Restylane® and Botox® in San Francisco
If you’re considering getting minimally invasive anti-aging treatments, your solution is only a phone call away. At Dermatology Medical Group of San Francisco, our dermatologists take a team approach to solving our patients’ problems. We will meet with you to discuss your concerns and develop a treatment plan for your Restylane® or Botox® injections. Fill out our online contact form today, or call us at 415-362-2238.
