Many people dream of firm, supple, and youthful-looking skin. With advances in technology and medicine, it’s not impossible to get rid of those wrinkles for a while. 

Botox injections, for instance, help smoothen fine lines and restore skin’s elasticity. But how much do we really know about Botox and fillers, and is what we know accurate enough? 

All about Botox

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Botox is short for botulinum toxin, a drug used to treat muscle spasms, an overactive bladder, or excessive underarm perspiration, apart from the cosmetic product we know today.  It’s used to address wrinkles around the eyes or “crow’s feet”, laugh lines, and those around the mouth. 

Botox is a powder that’s diluted in saline. The resulting mixture is then injected into the muscle to be treated, blocking the nerve’s signals. These signals are the ones which cause the muscle contraction to trigger the laugh or frown lines.

Just like with any drug, some people may actually be allergic to Botox. Those also suffering from asthma, have bleeding issues, or who have gone under the knife for the face are also ineligible to get Botox. Breastfeeding or pregnant women, even those planning to have a baby, should also be wary if they are interested in receiving the drug.

More importantly, does it hurt? Now, everyone’s pain tolerance is different, but since very small needles are used for Botox injections, and a topical anesthesia is applied before the procedure, it shouldn’t be that painful, really. Some discomfort may be felt when the anesthesia rubs off, but that’s about it. There’s no downtime and the full result is typically visible after around two weeks. 

Dermal fillers—how these work

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Now, it’s important to know that Botox is different from dermal fillers, otherwise known as soft tissue fillers. While Botox blocks muscle contractions, fillers are actually injectable implants that plump up the skin around fine lines. The effects can last anywhere between six to twelve months.

Unlike Botox—the results of which can be seen after a few days—the effects of fillers are practically instantaneous. It’s usually injected into the lips, cheeks, or the muscles surrounding the cheeks, which lose volume with age.

Does it hurt? Since dermal fillers also involve injections, it can cause a bit of discomfort, especially around the lip and nose area. Same as with Botox, a topical anesthesia is applied beforehand to reduce pain. Patients need to declare if they are drinking blood thinners or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin as these can increase the chances of bruising. 

Addressing misconceptions

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Contrary to the misconception that fillers make the face look fatter, Dr. Vicki Belo clarifies that it actually makes your face slimmer. “It’s not pang-pataba,” she says. “It’s actually pang-contour.” 

Such was the case of popular game streamer and cosplayer Alodia Gosiengfiao, who tried a combination of Botox and fillers to address certain facial issues. 

Alodia recalls the session as smooth-sailing, and if there was any pain, it was very minimal. “It’s very impressive,” Alodia shared. “There are very subtle touches but when you combine everything, sobrang ganda ng effect. It looks very natural.” Dr. Belo noted that since they made Alodia’s face more angular and defined, it looked more sculpted.

Both Botox and dermal fillers are great ways to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and achieve an overall more youthful look, with minimal pain and little to no downtime. Now that you know how safe and tolerable these two procedures are, what are you excited to try? 

To book your appointment for Botox or fillers, call 8819-BELO (2356) or click here.