JUVEDERM vs BOTOX are both cosmetic treatments, but there are key differences in how they work and the results they can achieve. If you’re thinking about having cosmetic treatments, it’s important to understand the effects of JUVÉDERM vs. BOTOX, as they treat different issues in different parts of the face.
JUVEDERM vs BOTOX: How They Work
BOTOX vs JUVEDERM are different kinds of injectable cosmetic treatments for the face. While both are used to reduce signs of aging, such as lines and wrinkles, the way they work is very different. They also differ in terms of the kinds of wrinkles and lines they can treat.
BOTOX is an injectable that’s derived from a bacterial neurotoxin called botulinum. One of the effects of botulinum toxin is muscle paralysis, and it’s this property that makes it useful as a cosmetic treatment.
BOTOX is used to treat lines and wrinkles that are caused by repetitive muscle movements. On the face, this refers to muscle movements made by facial expressions like frowning and squinting. Over a period of years, these muscle movements contribute to wrinkle formation because when your muscles contract, they pull the overlying skin into folds.
After a BOTOX injection, your muscles can no longer contract. This smooths out both the muscles and the skin on top of them. Deep facial folds and lines become smoother, and may even disappear altogether. This is how BOTOX can effectively treat frown lines between the eyes, forehead lines, and crow’s feet wrinkles.
JUVÉDERM is a formula containing a substance called hyaluronic acid. These kinds of injectables are known as dermal fillers. Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in your skin and helps it look smooth, plump, and youthful. As you get older, your hyaluronic acid is depleted. This contributes to signs of aging such as:
- Dry skin
- Skin folds, lines, and wrinkles
JUVÉDERM helps correct this problem by replenishing the skin’s supply of hyaluronic acid. It’s injected into the skin in specific problem areas, such as around the lips and the nasolabial folds, the deep folds that extend from each side of the nose to the lip area.
When JUVÉDERM is injected into these areas, it works almost instantly to fill in and smooth out folds, lines, and wrinkles.
BOTOX vs. JUVÉDERM®: What Can They Treat?
The main difference between BOTOX and JUVÉDERM® is that they treat different signs of facial aging. JUVÉDERM treats age-related loss of facial volume, while BOTOX treats lines and wrinkles that form due to repetitive muscle movement.
BOTOX and JUVÉDERM can both be used to treat multiple areas of the face, but generally, BOTOX is for the forehead and eye area, while JUVÉDERM is for the cheek and lip area.
BOTOX treatment areas include:
- Forehead lines and wrinkles
- Frown lines between the eyebrows
- Crow’s feet lines and wrinkles around the eyes
BOTOX is also used to treat excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). BOTOX injections paralyze your sweat glands, preventing them from secreting sweat. This treatment can be used under the arms, on the hands, and on the face and scalp, to reduce excess sweating.
JUVÉDERM treatment areas include:
- Nasolabial folds
- Cheeks
- Smile lines around the mouth
- Lips (augmentation)
- Fine lines and wrinkles around the lips
- Other facial wrinkles and folds caused by loss of volume
What Is Treatment Like?
When you have an injectable treatment, you receive several small injections into each treatment area. Depending on how many treatment areas you have, treatment can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour.
Once you have treatment, the effects of JUVÉDERM can be seen almost instantly but may be temporarily obscured by bruising and swelling. With BOTOX, the first effects are seen within a few days, but it can take up to a month to see the full effects.
Treatment Side Effects
These are minimally invasive treatments, with no downtime. You can return to work right away and resume most of your normal routine. However, if you have JUVÉDERM, you do need to avoid for the first 24 hours:
- Alcohol
- Heat and sun exposure
- Strenuous activity
- Exercise
Doing so helps reduce the side effects of the treatment.
Both JUVÉDERM and BOTOX injections can cause minor side effects, such as:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Pain at injection sites
These side effects are mild and temporary. With BOTOX, they last up to a week. JUVÉDERM side effects last longer; they may persist for two to four weeks.
BOTOX and JUVÉDERM both have rare but potentially serious risks and side effects. In rare cases, JUVÉDERM may be injected into a blood vessel. If this happens, it may trigger a stroke or cause permanent facial scarring.
Occasionally, BOTOX treatment may cause difficulty speaking, breathing, chewing, or swallowing. These side effects can indicate a potentially serious problem and require emergency medical treatment.
Who Can Use JUVÉDERM and BOTOX?
It is safe for most people to use JUVÉDERM and BOTOX, but some people should avoid or delay these treatments.
- All injectables should be avoided if you’re pregnant or nursing – It hasn’t been established that injectables are safe to use at these times.
- If you have a skin rash or infection in any potential treatment area, delay having injectable treatments until your skin clears up.
- People with multiple allergies or severe allergies should avoid having injectable treatments.
- Avoid JUVÉDERM if you have an allergy to gram-positive bacterial proteins.
- If you have an albumin allergy, avoid BOTOX.
JUVÉDERM vs. BOTOX: How Much do They Cost?
The average cost of treatment for BOTOX is $550, but costs vary depending on geography and the type of BOTOX treatment you have. If you’re getting BOTOX for underarm sweating, a session of treatment costs around $1,000.
For JUVÉDERM, the average cost of treatment is $750. Again, your costs will vary depending on which areas of the body you have treated, how much JUVÉDERM you need, and geography.
BOTOX vs. JUVÉDERM®: How to Choose
If you’re thinking of cosmetic treatments to give you a more youthful appearance, BOTOX and JUVÉDERM can definitely help you achieve this!
Not sure which treatment is right for you? Think about the problems you want to correct and the kind of results you want to achieve. If you want to reduce forehead lines or frown lines, BOTOX is a great choice. For folds and lines in the cheeks or lip area, go for JUVÉDERM.
Talk to your cosmetic practitioner for advice. They can help you choose the treatment that will give you the most effective, natural-looking results.
