2 5
w w w. s p i r i t o f w o m e n . c o m W I N T E R 2 016 S P I R I T O F W O M E N
SHUTTERSTOCK
other types) is more commonly used
for the upper face but can be used in
the lower face too.
Fillers can last anywhere from
six months to two years except for
silicone, which is a permanent filler
used for problems like acne scars.
Botox, on the other hand, "is most
helpful for preventing lines that are
going to develop," says Dr. Wanner.
"It's not as helpful for lines that are
already etched in the skin. [And]
typically those are not going to
improve with just one treatment—
doing just one Botox treatment is
quite frankly a waste of money. Most
people end up doing it about every
six months."
T
hinking about freshening
up your skin but not
interested in a facelift?
You've got more options
than ever these days,
say dermatologists.
In July 2015, for example, the Food
and Drug Administration approved
the first filler to treat "smile lines" and
add lift to the cheek area, Restylane
Lyft from Galderma. It joins a long
list of other facial wrinkle fillers that
can strategically replace fat that
has diminished with age, "to restore
volume in a way that … will give the
face a more refreshed appearance,"
says Dr. Molly Wanner, a Boston
dermatologist and spokesperson
for the American Academy of
Dermatology.
FILLING IN
Fillers, which range from hyaluronic
acid to collagen to synthetic
substances to your own fat, are used
for the entire face, says Dr. Wanner,
while botulinum toxin (commonly
called Botox, although there are two
MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS
For either type of treatment, it's
important to go to a board-certified
dermatologist or plastic surgeon, who
will do the work in a medical setting
with sterile instruments. Although fillers
and Botox are considered some of the
safest cosmetic procedures available,
there's always the slight possibility
of a complication that would require
medical intervention.
"Fillers can't be injected if you have
an allergy to any of the components,"
says Dr. Wanner. "With Botox, if you
have any sort of neurologic condition,
you may want to approach [doing the
procedure] cautiously. So be sure to
talk to your doctor ahead of time." •
Face time
New wrinkles
in fllers and Botox
Botox
vs.
fllers
By Elizabeth
Brewster
Botox Filler
How it works
relaxes muscle
under the wrinkle
flls in area with a
substance
How long the
effects typically last
3 to 6 months 6 months to 2 years
Common
side effects
swelling, bruising redness, swelling,
bruising