If you’ve been considering getting Botox or dermal filler injections, you’ve no doubt heard your fair share of rumors about the after-effects of each treatment. And while there are certainly risks associated with any type of cosmetic injectable, that doesn’t mean you should avoid them altogether. In fact, less-than-optimal experiences often come down to one thing: injector inexperience or lack of qualifications.
At Arijai Aesthetics, we understand it’s all too easy to believe negative anecdotal reports, but in the case of cosmetic injectables, the exception is not the rule. Most people who get Botox or dermal filler injections are extremely satisfied with the results.
To help you make an informed decision around dermal fillers and Botox, we’ve outlined X of the most common cosmetic injectable misconceptions below.
1. Dermal Fillers and Botox are the Same
The only similarity these two cosmetic injectables share is the fact they’re injected beneath the upper layer of the skin. Dermal Fillers are designed to restore facial volume and provide a subtle, yet noticeable tissue-lifting effect.
Botox, on the other hand, is a muscle relaxant, which is designed to prevent the target muscles from contracting. Limiting the movement of the facial musculature helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and can also help prevent new lines from forming.
To learn more about these injectables and how they work, check out What Areas of the Face Can Dermal Fillers Treat? and Curious About Botox? Here’s What You Need to Know.
2. Once You Have Botox or Fillers, You Must Continue Getting Them
One highly prevalent myth surrounding cosmetic injectables is that once you get them, you must continue getting them forever or your skin will droop and sag more than it originally did. In reality, however, when the effects of either product diminish, your skin will simply return to its pre-injection state.
Your skin will not immediately become more wrinkly or saggy, but over time, it will continue aging as it previously did. The primary reason people continue receiving Botox and dermal filler injections is that they’re extremely satisfied with the results and wish to continue “slowing down” the aging process.
3. Botox and Fillers Always Look Unnatural
There’s no denying the fact that in rare cases, cosmetic injectables can give a slightly unnatural look to the face. However, such cases typically come down to one thing: inexperience or lack of qualifications on the part of the injector.
Keep in mind that many types of medical professionals are technically qualified to administer cosmetic injectables. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that someone who’s qualified to inject has the training or experience to execute the procedure successfully.
If you’re considering receiving either of these treatments, it’s critical that you do your research, not only on the aesthetic practice you’re considering but also on the injectors’ experience.
4. Botox and Dermal Fillers Are Super Painful
While it might seem that any cosmetic treatment involving injections will be painful, that’s typically not the case.
Before administering Botox or dermal fillers, your injector will apply a topical anesthetic that makes the injection process virtually painless. What’s more, the needles used to administer these injectables are very small and thin. You’ll likely feel nothing more than tiny pinprick sensations here and there.
Most people who’ve had Botox or dermal fillers report that their treatment produced a small amount of discomfort that diminished significantly within a few hours of their appointment.
5. Dermal Fillers and Botox Cannot Be Used at the Same Time
If you want to use Botox and dermal fillers simultaneously, you absolutely can. In fact, you can even get them injected in the same appointment, and they complement one another well. When administered together, the two injectables can produce incredible anti-aging results.
What’s more, using Botox and dermal fillers together can prolong your treatment results. Often, hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers tend to break down faster in areas of the face that are more active and expressive, such as the corners of the mouth. When Botox and fillers are used together in such areas, Botox will relax those highly active muscles, which can help slow the breakdown of the filler.
For more information on widespread dermal filler misinformation, check out Dermal Fillers: Dispelling 11 Common Myths.
6. Botox Is Botulism and It’s Toxic
It’s true that Botox contains a toxin produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, which is the same toxin that causes botulism food poisoning. But let us be clear: Botox is NOT botulism, and it’s highly unlikely that you’ll experience any adverse side effects from treatment.
If that were the case, the injectable would not be FDA-approved for the treatment of a wide variety of health conditions, including:
- Chronic migraine headaches
- Overactive bladder
- Incontinence caused by overactive bladder
- Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
- Cervical dystonia (a painful condition that causes the neck muscles to contract involuntarily)
While it’s possible that the botulinum toxin can spread to areas away from the injection sites and cause unwanted symptoms, this is quite rare in cosmetic applications.
If you’d like to learn more about the efficacy and safety of this extensively studied injectable, check out The Whole Truth About Botox — a Review, which was published in the journal, Advances in Dermatology and Allergology.
The Arijai Aesthetics Difference
At Arijai Aesthetics, our facility features state-of-the-art equipment and is designed to provide the best possible experience for each patient who walks through our doors. Our cosmetic dermatology experts have years of experience in their field and have treated thousands of patients with incredible success.
When we perform Botox injections, the result is always a soft, subtle relaxation of the facial muscles, never a “frozen” appearance. The same goes for dermal fillers: our highly qualified staff has both the training and experience to produce a natural, yet noticeable improvement in the appearance of facial volume loss, fine lines, and wrinkles.
Curious how Botox injections, dermal fillers, or a combination of both can enhance your facial structure and reduce the appearance of aging? Get in touch with our team today to schedule your free consultation!
Schedule a Free Consultation With Arijai Aesthetics
If you’ve been considering cosmetic injectables, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our highly experienced team at Arijai Aesthetics. Our expert injectors are highly skilled at their craft and will work with you to develop a treatment protocol that perfectly suits your individual needs and goals.
To learn more about our services or schedule a consultation, feel free to give our Burnsville, MN office a call today at 952-435-0605. You can also request a free consultation online or send us a message with any questions, and we’ll be in touch promptly.