Minimally invasive injections can rejuvenate your skin and take years off by reducing wrinkles and restoring volume to your skin.

Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Institute offers botulinum injections and dermal fillers to rejuvenate and refresh your skin. But which is the right choice for you?

In this guide, we’ll explore the differences in the ADCI lineup of cosmetic dermatology products, including:

  • Botox®
  • Dysport®
  • Xeomin®
  • JUVÉDERM®
  • Merz Aesthetics Belotero®

Botulinum Injections

Ideal for reducing the look of wrinkles and creases associated with repeated muscle movement, neuromodulators such as Botox®, Dysport® and Xeomin® are an FDA-approved, injectable form of the botulinum toxin that blocks nerve signals from reaching the muscles in the treatment area. The muscle is then unable to contract, effectively reducing the appearance of furrows, folds, and lines while slowing the development of deeper ridges.

Before Your Appointment

You won’t need to do much to prepare for your appointment other than avoiding NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen. These both thin the blood and can contribute to more bruising. You should not have Botox®, Dysport®, or Xeomin® injections if you have a history of myasthenia gravis (a rare neurological disease) or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

During Your Appointment

Typically, treatment only takes 15 minutes, depending on how many vials are needed to address your areas of concern. Your dermatologist will use a tiny needle to expertly target the exact nerves in need of attention, creating a natural finish that leaves you looking younger instead of “overdone.”

Most patients don’t require a topical anesthetic due to how quickly the procedure is over, but if you feel extreme discomfort, you should let your doctor know immediately. 

Aftercare and Recovery

Following your injection, you may rarely experience some redness and bruising at the treatment site. This is typically very minor and disappears within a few days. In fact, these non-invasive treatments are often called the “lunchtime procedure” because you can return to work immediately after your appointment!

You should avoid rubbing the areas where you received injections, as it can cause the medication to spread to other parts of your face and reduce the effectiveness. It’s also a good idea to skip your workout for 24 hours to prevent increased blood flow for the same reason. 

You’ll start seeing your facial lines soften just 2-3 days after treatment, but the medication can take up to 2 weeks to entirely take effect. 

Botox®

What is Botox®?

Botox® is an intramuscular injection that effectively reduces the appearance of forehead lines, crow’s feet, and frown lines. Your results will last anywhere from 3-4months, but they may last longer.

Unlike dermal fillers, it does not add volume under the skin.

Xeomin®

What is Xeomin®?

Xeomin®is a neurotoxin similar to Botox for the treatment of wrinkles due to muscle movement. You can expect your treatment to last 3-4 months, as with Botox®

Dermal Fillers

With dermal fillers, you can change the silhouette of your face without undergoing invasive procedures by restoring or enhancing facial volume. These miraculous time machines consist of a gel-based substance that plumps your skin from within, smooths lines, and enhances your natural features. 

As we age, our skin becomes laxer due to natural collagen loss. As the subdermal skin matrix begins to break down, our surface layers of skin sink into the divots and troughs, creating wrinkles. Dermal fillers help by supplementing the amount of remaining collagen with hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite, or poly-l-lactic acid. At ADCI, we exclusively use hyaluronic acid fillers. 

Of course, dermal fillers aren’t just for those who want to supplement age-related collagen loss. Even youthful skin can benefit from the look of higher cheekbones, plumper lips, or addressing genetic facial asymmetry. 

Typically dermal fillers such as hyaluronic acid can last up to a year or longer. The results depend on the amount of filler injected.

Before Your Appointment

You’ll want to avoid NSAIDs, Vitamin E, fish oil and blood thinners for 7-10 days before your treatment to prevent bruising. You should also skip facial tweezing, laser hair treatments, or waxing for at least 48 hours to reduce skin irritation.

During Your Appointment

Dermal injections require a deft touch and extensive knowledge of facial anatomy and aesthetics to precisely inject the gel. Your doctor will take their time to achieve a balanced, natural look, so depending on the number of treatment areas, your appointment can last anywhere from a couple of minutes to an hour, including the time it takes to mark out the injection points. 

Then, after cleansing your skin with a surgical scrub, your dermatologist will begin precisely injecting the fillers just under your skin. In some cases, they typically apply a numbing cream to ease discomfort, or can perform a dental block to numb the skin. 

After each injection, your doctor will massage and “sculpt” the gel, ensuring there are no lumps or underfilled areas. 

Aftercare and Recovery

Once you’re pleased with the results, your doctor will cleanse your skin again, removing any markings or blood. They may ask you to apply ice and cold compress to reduce swelling and minimize bruising, but side effects are typically very mild. 

The best way to maintain the look you want is to come in for touch-ups at regular intervals, so you may also want to talk to your doctor about pre-scheduling appointments, as dermal fillers are not a permanent solution. The dermatologist can give you a more specific maintenance care plan. 

JUVÉDERM®

What is JUVÉDERM®?

JUVÉDERM® is a line of humectant hyaluronic-acid fillers that use different ingredient ratios to adjust the firmness of that particular formula. VOLUMA XC, VOLLURE XC, and VOLBELLA XC also take advantage of Vycross Technology, which pairs up heavier and lighter acid molecules for a more natural and consistent finish.

Merz Aesthetics Belotero®

What is Merz Aesthetics Belotero®?

Merz Aesthetics Belotero® is a smooth, flexible hyaluronic acid gel dermal filler that completely integrates into the skin tissue to promote natural results and normal facial movement. This product smooths out etched wrinkles such as vertical lip lines, chin wrinkles, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines. Merz Aesthetics Belotero® typically lasts around 6 months.

Visit ADCI for a More Youthful You!

If you still have questions or are interested in any of these products, get in touch to schedule a consultation with our board-certified providers. We’ll help you explore your options and decide if injectables are the right choice for you.