Botox, Dysport & Fillers Q & A

How does Botox® work?

Botox® Cosmetic and Dysport are safe, non-invasive, FDA-approved treatments that temporarily improve the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows, crow’s feet around your eyes, horizontal forehead lines, and vertical lip lines. Botox and Dysport contain tiny amounts of purified botulinum toxin that comes from a form of bacterium. Dr. Borkowsky Rubell injects the solution into the areas of concern, resulting in a smoother and more youthful appearance.

The botulinum toxin targets the muscles that cause wrinkles, resulting in the temporary relaxation of those muscles and hence, the inability to make new lines or worsen existing ones. Essentially, Botox and Dysport work on the underlying causes of your wrinkles and, when your muscles contract less, your wrinkles and lines become less pronounced.

Within 48 to 72 hours after a Botox or Dysport treatment, you will begin to notice a visible difference in the appearance of lines and wrinkles. The results typically last up to four months. For the best outcome and safety, receive Botox or Dysport injections from a board-certified dermatologist like Dr. Borkowsky Rubell. The non-invasive nature of these treatments means they require no downtime.

What are fillers?

Like Botox, dermal fillers function to diminish wrinkles and lines associated with aging. Different types of fillers are composed of a variety of different biocompatible products. Whereas Botox relaxes muscle activity below the skin’s surface, fillers diminish wrinkles by plumping, lifting, and smoothing skin. Long term benefits of fillers include inducing one’s own collagen to be produced, resulting in additional anti-aging benefits.

Some fillers, such as Juvederm and Restylane are made of hyaluronic acid, a substance found naturally in the human body which decreases as we age. As a result, and in combination with other factors like sun exposure and heredity, you may lose volume in different areas of your face. Fillers can help restore that volume while minimizing fine lines. Dermal hyaluronic acid fillers are also ideal for plumping up thin lips and are a good nonsurgical option for those who don't want to take the risks of cosmetic surgery or an extended recovery period.

Radiesse® is another injectable skin filler which targets volume loss and facial wrinkles. It’s composed of microspheres of calcium and phosphate ions, which occur naturally in the human body. After Radiesse is injected, thin tissue forms around the microspheres, filling wrinkles and folds and creating a semi-permanent support structure for the skin.

Radiesse results may last up to a full year or more, because your own tissue uses the injected material as a scaffolding to produce new collagen. Over time, the tiny calcium-based microspheres gradually break down leaving your own collagen intact.

When you want to combat the signs of aging and look and feel like your best self, call Dr. Robin Borkowsky Rubell.