Comparing Neurotoxin and Filler

My heart as an aesthetic nurse is to simply help each individual feel like the best version of themselves possible. I meet people every day who tell me that they “feel younger than they look”, or that they “look angry, even when they genuinely feel happy”. I love helping people find ways to truly express on the outside what they are feeling on the inside. Real wellness and beauty come from the inside. Aesthetic modalities are not a size fits. It brings me such joy to come alongside each client and walk with them through a process that makes them feel better and helps them express the joy and beauty that is truly within.

In a lot of cases, softening lines, and refreshing contours make a huge difference in a person’s appearance and self-confidence. Neurotoxins, such as BOTOX Cosmetic and Xeomin, and dermal fillers, products including Allergan’s Juvederm portfolio, are ways we can do this. When neurotoxins and filler are used together the results can be stunning.

Clients often ask me what the difference is between neurotoxins and filler is. Neurotoxins slow muscle movement. Fillers fill in space.

Neurotoxins

Neurotoxins like BOTOX® and Xeominare often are used in areas where we want to soften expression lines. The communication between nerves and muscles temporarily turns off, which means the nerves can’t tell the muscles to move. Neurotoxins can be used in many areas, but the upper face is the most common.

Think of the effect of folding a piece of paper in the same place over and over. You get a line. Same in the skin.

When the muscles don’t move, the lines stop forming. The skin cells continue to shed and regenerate as always, but the new cells do not have a crease in them.

Neurotoxins typically last 3-4 months in most people. The rate of this breakdown depends on each person’s metabolism. 3-4 months is average. Individuals may have differing durations.

Filler

Filler does what it says. It fills in space. As we progress through the natural aging process the volume in our faces changes. The volume decreases, and the locations of fullness change. We can use filler to kind of turn back time, and re-volumize areas that have lost fullness. Common areas for filler are the upper cheeks and lips. There are other areas where filler can be used of course, but those are the most common.

Upper Cheeks

Fillers can be used to create a more pleasing contour and lift in the upper face. Filling in this area also helps relieve the appearance of drooping or heaviness in the lower face. The facial skeleton progresses through some bone resorption as the years go by. Resorption causes the shape of our bones to change, resulting in the flattening and lowering of facial tissue. Filler can be placed right along the zygomatic bone, replacing lost volume, and lifting the skin back up a bit.

Lips

A filler can be placed in the lip tissue to add plumpness and refine the shape. Lip fillers are popular with clients of all ages. Lips are very customizable. Some clients use filler to simply provide a slightly fuller, almost rehydrated appearance. Others use filler to replace the lost volume that they once had. Still, others use filler to enhance the volume of the lips slightly beyond what they naturally had. There are countless options for lips!

When Neurotoxins and Fillers are used together, the results can be incredible. Softening lines and enhancing contour often help a person look, and most importantly, feel refreshed.