Botox Versus Fillers: Which One Is Right for You?

BOTOX® injections and dermal fillers are popular in-office treatments that can temporarily reduce the appearance of mild-to-moderate lines, wrinkles, and volume loss associated with aging.

Our team at Sasaki Advanced Aesthetic Medical Center in Pasadena, California, led by triple board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gordon Sasaki, is passionate about providing you with the most advanced surgical procedures and nonsurgical cosmetic therapies available.

We are happy to explain the roles BOTOX and dermal fillers play in your facial aesthetics care plan and why your best treatment strategy may include one or both of these popular injectables.

Understanding how BOTOX works

BOTOX Cosmetic can effectively reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles on your forehead and around the eyes (crow’s feet) as well as the vertical lines appearing between your brows. It works by relaxing the muscles underlying these areas that contract when you frown, squint, or smile.

When delivered accurately in the correct dose, BOTOX injections prevent the grooves that facial expressions can cause and leave you with a natural, youthful appearance.

Under the direction of Dr. Sasaki, our team of certified nurses at Sasaki Advanced Aesthetic Medical Center, may also recommend BOTOX injections for other changes related to aging, heredity, or sun exposure.

These may include:

• Brow ptosis, occurring when the tail of the eyebrow near the temple droops
• Downward turned or drooping mouth corners
• Gummy smile
• Descending nasal tip
• Bunny Lines on Side of Nose
• Prominent Masseter muscles that contribute to boxy look and/or temporo-mandibular joint pain. 
• Pebbled chin
• Migraine headache relief at targeted facial or neck muscles. 

BOTOX injections are also useful in reducing excessive underarm perspiration or sweaty palms. 

The results of BOTOX injections typically last three to four months, and regular treatments can help prevent the formation of new lines and wrinkles.

Dermal filler basics

Dermal fillers contain naturally occurring ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and other biologically friendly substances that are injected just under the skin to “fill in” or plump facial areas that have lost volume, such as the cheeks around lips, and at the hollowed lid-cheek junction. 

These products are also useful for filling in grooves or skin folds around your mouth (marionette lines), smoothing depressed or pitted scars in the skin, and can even restore lost volume to the tops of the hands. This helps reduce the appearance of veins that are related to subcutaneous fat/volume loss caused by aging.

Though they don’t offer the same long-term results as a facelift, depending on the type used, the effects of dermal fillers can last for up to two years.

Dr. Sasaki has chosen only top-line dermal fillers to offer here at Sasaki Advanced Aesthetic Medical Center, which include:

• JUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ XC
• Restylane® and JUVÉDERM®
• Volbella XC, FDA-approved for lip lines
• Radiesse®
• Belotero Balance

Customizing your cosmetic care strategy

After a thorough evaluation, Dr. Sasaki may recommend BOTOX injections, dermal fillers, or a combination of both to address your cosmetic concerns. He discusses the benefits, expectations, and after care instructions of each treatment in detail before scheduling your injections. 

For more information about the many services we offer at Sasaki Advanced Aesthetic Medical Center, schedule your evaluation today.