What’s the Difference Between Botox and Juvéderm?

> As you age, your skin starts to lose collagen and elastin, the two proteins naturally found in your skin. Without these proteins, your skin starts sagging and develops fine lines and wrinkles. External factors, such as environmental toxins, sun exposure, and dehydration, can also speed up your skin’s aging process and worsen wrinkles. <

> While lifestyle changes may improve the appearance of fine lines on your skin to some extent, they play little or no role in treating deep wrinkles or prominent lines. This is where cosmetic treatments such as Botox and Juvéderm come in. <

> Botox and Juvéderm are the two most popular non-invasive treatments for wrinkles that bring instant results. Both cosmetic treatments are given as injections by a licensed medical aesthetician. However, both formulations are entirely different from each other. <

> What Is Botox? <

> Botox is a neurologic toxin that contains botulinum toxin A. It comes as an injectable formulation that works by relaxing muscles on your skin. Doing so limits the movement of facial muscles, making your skin appear smoother and wrinkle-free. <

Common Uses

> Botox treats both fine lines and wrinkles. It is most commonly used to treat vertical lines between your eyebrows, wrinkles around your eyes (crow’s feet), and wrinkles on your forehead. <

Cost

> The cost of Botox injection depends on the number of units or injections needed in each sitting. <

> Each unit charges anywhere between $10 to $20. Your total treatment cost depends on the number of units used in each session. For example, if you get 20 units of Botox for treating forehead lines, the estimated cost would be between $200 and $400. <

> According to The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of Botox injections is $408. <

Duration of the Procedure

> The duration of the entire procedure depends on the area of the skin treated. For instance, the process takes an average of 15 minutes to treat a small area. <

Number of Treatments

> The deeper the wrinkles on your face and the larger the area of skin being treated, the more Botox units you will need in each session. <

How Long It Lasts

> Since Botox provides a temporary fix, it roughly lasts around four to five months. <

Side Effects

> When used safely by a medical aesthetician, Botox doesn’t cause any serious side effects. Common and temporary side effects are pain, rash, and discomfort at the site of injection. <

> Other side effects that may occur in some people include: <

> What Is Juvéderm? <

> Juvéderm is the most popular cosmetic treatment for wrinkles. Commonly known as fillers, Juvéderm formulation contains a natural substance called hyaluronic acid that essentially “fills” up the wrinkles in your skin and makes it plump and smooth. <

> In 2016 alone, the global market for fillers increased by 16 percent and continues to increase in the U.S. by up to 25 percent. <

Common Uses

> Almost all the fillers used to plump up lips and soften lip lines contain hyaluronic acid. Juvéderm is also used to treat wrinkles and superficial lines around the mouth, nose, and lip area. If you have prominent laugh lines, your aesthetician will probably recommend Juvéderm to plump up those lines and smoothen the skin around that area. <

> Another common use of Juvéderm is to add volume to cheeks. <

Cost

> Juvéderm injections cost higher than Botox since their effects last longer. While the total cost entirely depends upon the dose used and the area of skin being treated, each Juvéderm injection treatment can cost up to $652. <

Duration of the Procedure

> Like Botox, Juvéderm treatment takes less than 15 minutes and provides instant results. <

Number of Treatments

> Depending upon the formula used and area of skin treated, you will require repeat treatments every one and a half to two years, with a lesser dose requiring in subsequent treatments. <

How Long It Lasts

> The results of Juvéderm treatment can last up to one year. <

Side Effects

> Juvéderm is generally a safe treatment, but some side effects may occur. These include: <

> Conclusion <

> Aging is inevitable, but wrinkles don’t have to be. <

> Over the last few years, aesthetic medicine has transformed cosmetic treatments entirely. Gone are the days when going under the knife was the only and the most expensive way to rid yourself of wrinkles and fine lines. With Botox and Juvéderm, your skin is only a couple of minutes away from being smooth, plump, and youthful. <