Botox or Juvederm?

This is a question that many people considering cosmetic enhancements ask their dermatologists, but a better question to ask is “What’s better for my skin flaws? Botox or Juvederm?” After all, they are two different procedures using different medicines to treat different facets of your skin’s appearance.

Botox injects a botulinum toxin into the skin to smooth out wrinkles.  Some patients who have undergone Botox treatments find that while the smoothing effects are excellent, making them look younger and better–rested, they notice that they can’t quite make the facial expressions they could before treatment. While Botox is FDA-approved to treat and lessen facial wrinkles, some patients still wonder about those safe levels of toxins used to improve their appearance.

Juvederm is an injectable dermal filler comprised mainly of hyaluronic acid (HA) which is a natural complex sugar found in the skin, muscles and tendons of the body, retaining water and hydrating the skin for a plumping effect. Juvederm’s soft gel is injected to reduce facial wrinkles, plump thinning lips, add volume to sunken cheeks and cheekbones, and fill in hollow spaces left by scars such as acne and pock marks. Juvederm can also be used to fill in other ‘sunken’ areas of the body, such as the loose skin of the knee. Since Juvederm doesn’t work via paralysis of the muscle, it leaves you able to be fully expressive.

In short, Juvederm adds volume and elasticity to facial features, whereas Botox doesn’t add volume or plumping; it simply creates a smoothing effect.

Since Juvederm is made from natural materials, you won’t need an allergy test before treatment, which can save you time, effort and money. Juvederm treatments are non-invasive, requiring minimal recovery time, and since the HA-based gel is soft, it often minimizes the discomfort that can be experienced with other types of injected dermal fillers.

Both procedures are relatively pain-free, although you can request an anesthetic before your procedure.

So, there are advantages to both types of cosmetic enhancement procedures. You’ll simply need to meet with your board-certified dermatologist for an assessment of the facial flaws and features you’d like to improve.  Your physician might even point out a few additional improvements that can be easily achieved via Botox or Juvederm, or via a combination of one of these and another minimally-invasive cosmetic enhancement method.

Once you and your doctor pinpoint the facial improvements you’d like, you’ll be on your way to the younger, fresher, prettier appearance you’ve been hoping for.