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What You Need to Know about Injectable Treatments for Skin (and other health conditions!):

True confession: botox and dermal fillers, which are two types of injectable treatments that most people associate with looking younger and reducing wrinkles, were NOT in my wheelhouse until quite recently. I’m too busy trying to raise healthy kiddos to worry about the random gray hairs and little wrinkles they may have given me along the way, which become more numerous by the year. And as someone who LOVES sharing her fave budgeting tips for families, well, opting for pricey aesthetic procedures generally not covered by private insurance bangs hard up against my preference for sharing money saving hacks for busy parents.

But recently I had the opportunity to do some research on the various reasons people might want to get dermal filler injections, or other types of injections like botox (a neurotoxin that in small doses can relax muscles), and I realized my assumptions were somewhat off-target.

Yes, people get botox treatments and dermal fillers for purely aesthetic reasons – whether to plump lips, or minimize the appearance of wrinkles, or what have you. But there are LOTS of other reasons why busy parents might consider having injectable treatments on their facial skin, or even on other body parts!

Ready to explore injectable treatment options – specifically botox vs. dermal fillers – more? Then read on!

This is a collaboration post. However, please know I stand behind everything written here, and only include links to products/services/resources I’m willing to recommend personally.

Comparing Botox vs. dermal filler injections:

Many people think of botox (or more accurately, “Botox-type treatments”) and dermal fillers the way I used to: something that people with lots of disposable income get to make themselves look younger. And compared to plastic surgery, both these injectable treatments are great choices for those goals, because they’re medically non-invasive (or, at most, minimally invasive), which means fewer potential complications and a much faster recovery time.

The cost of injectable treatments varies based on the type, dosage needed, condition you’re treating, and clinic location. Generally, if you want to turn back the clock on your appearance, botox and fillers are more affordable than surgical options like facelifts. While initial costs might seem higher for specific products or areas, dermal fillers can be more affordable when treating signs of aging than botox. This is because they can last longer (see longevity considerations above), though there are caveats. This difference can significantly influence your overall financial investment over time.

While both botox and dermal fillers can help give skin a more youthful appearance, by minimizing wrinkles and other signs of aging, they work in different ways on your body. Because of this, botox and dermal fillers can each ALSO be used to treat a wide range of other medical conditions. But beyond anti-aging treatments, there isn’t a whole lot of overlap between their various uses.

Conditions botox treatments can help address:

Because botox relaxes muscles, many people also get botox treatments for chronic jaw pain, teeth clenching, bruxism (grinding your teeth at night), migraines, chronic headaches, and other conditions:

If (like most parents) you’re, um, majorly stressed most of the time, join the club. I’ve experienced bouts of chronic stress since my teens, leading to jaw pain, teeth clenching, and chronic bruxism. I actually wear a special dental device at night so I DON’T grind all the enamel off my teeth in my sleep (so do several relatives); all of us have experienced jaw clenching and concurrent temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain throughout much of adulthood. Because it relaxes muscles, botox is being used more often to treat all of these conditions after more conservative treatments have failed.
Botox is also being used more and more as a treatment for chronic headaches, especally treatment for migraines. Because botox has been an FDA-approved migraine treatment for migraines since 2010, unlike getting botox for wrinkle reduction, using botox to treat migraines generally IS covered by U.S. health insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare (though often you’ll have to try other more conservative treatments first).
For people who sweat excessively, botox treatments can even cut down on the amount they sweat!

Other benefits of dermal filler treatments besides a younger-looking face:

Because injectable dermal fillers add volume to targeted areas under the skin, they’re great for more than smoothing lines and filling in those areas where our skin loses fat as we age. They’re also great for repairing damaged skin and helping with reconstructive surgery:

Both friends and relatives of mine have battled breast cancer in recent years. Despite treatment advances, many of them have still undergone mastectomies during treatment. As part of post-mastectomy breast reconstruction, several of them have actually had various dermal filler treatments, both to replace lost breast tissue with their own fat tissue from elsewhere in their body (usually their stomach), and to make their nipples look more natural following breast reconstruction.
Dermal fillers can also effectively treat many types of scar tissue. They are increasingly used to improve the appearance of everything from facial acne scarring to post-surgical scars in cancer patients and others with severe scarring (like, oh, say, me).
And if you have a teenage daughter who’s well, overly well-endowed (a painful and embarrassing condition called pubertal gigantomastia), well, reconstructive surgery can help improve her quality of life immensely, and the latest cutting-edge techniques involve using dermal filler injections in the reconstruction process.

What You Need To Know about Botox vs. Dermal Fillers

As with any medical treatment, it’s crucial to understand the potential benefits and side effects of injectable treatments before proceeding with either botox treatments or dermal fillers:

Both types of injectables have their pros and cons, and you need to understand these upfront.
Different injectable treatments for skin last for different lengths of time, depending on the type of injection and also on the condition you’re trying to treat. What you’re trying to treat, and how long the preferred injectable for that treatment will last, can determine both whether the procedure is covered by insurance (for purely cosmetic facial procedures, generally NOT), and how much you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket over time for repeat injections.
While both types of injectable treatments are generally safe, these procedures should always be performed by a qualified healthcare professional to ensure optimal results and reduce risks. This means you’ll need to research your options before you even book an initial consultation (which many reputable providers will offer for free), and make sure you do your homework to find a provider you can trust.

What is Botox and What are the Benefits of Botox-Type Treatments?

Although Botox is the brand name for the most popular and longest-established “Botox-type” treatment (other brand names include Daxxify, Dysport, Jeauveau, and Xeomin), all these treatments have the same active ingredient: bototulinum toxin type A, or “botox” for short, a naturally-occuring neurotoxin that comes from Clostridium botulinum bacteria. While this toxin can be dangerous and even deadly in high doses, targeted low doses of this toxin have been used to treat a variety of medical conditions since the 1970s.

While Botox-type treatments are usually thought of as “muscle relaxers,” they’re more accurately described as muscle paralyzers. This is why they only work on certain types of wrinkles – those caused by movement (e.g., “smile wrinkles” around the edges of your mouth and eyes) – and NOT on wrinkles caused by sun damage.

It’s because botox blocks certain muscles from contracting, by temporarily paralyzing them, that Botox-type treatments can do far more than relax the muscles behind “dynamic wrinkles.” Botox and other Botox-type treatments are also great for stopping

muscle spasms throughout the body, from neck spasms to overactive bladder;
the muscle contractions behind chronic tension headaches and migraines;
and the TMJ pain and dental problems that come from repeatedly clenching and grinding one’s jaw/teeth.

And unlike surgical treatments for many of these conditions, botox injections generally start to work in 1-3 days, take full effect within 1-2 weeks, are non-invasive, and thus have much shorter recovery times than surgery.

How Long do Botox-Type Treatments Work? What are Botox Side Effects?

Because botox injections only temporarily block muscle contractions, they often wear off after anywhere from 3-6 months, after which you’ll usually need to repeat treatment. (In some cases, though – such as treatment for migraines, where the procedure itself involves a series of injections – sometimes muscles are able to retrain themselves over the course of treatment so that they learn how to behave properly on their own.)

In addition, before you commit to botox injections for your medical condition, you need to be aware of possible side effects of botox injections. These can vary, depending on why you’re seeking treatment (and where you’re thus getting injections), but can include

temporary bruising and/or swelling at the injection site;
headaches or flu-like symptoms in the days after treatment;
an allergic reaction or an infection at the treatment site;
respiratory problems or upset stomach;
droopy eyelids, a crooked smile, and/or drooling.

Many of these are short-term side effects after treatment.

What Are Dermal Fillers and Their Benefits?

Dermal fillers are substances injected into the skin to diminish wrinkles and restore lost volume. Like botox treatments, dermal fillers are a non-surgical option for improving facial appearance , but are also useful for repairing scar tissue and rebuilding features after reconstructive surgery. Visible outcomes are often immediate, making them appealing to those seeking quick results.

Dermal fillers do just that – they “fill in” areas of the skin that need enhancement. There are many different types of dermal fillers. Those seeking fillers to regain a youthful appearance benefit from their ability to replenish natural substances such as collagen and hyaluronic acid, which diminish with age.

These substances not only provide hydration but also support the skin structure, maintaining firmness and elasticity. Hyaluronic acid fillers are particularly notable for attracting moisture, thereby plumping and hydrating the skin. Because of this, they’re used for everything from plumping lips to reconstructing nipples.

Other dermal fillers contain everything from synthetic materials to natural body tissues, such as one’s own excess belly fat. Because dermal filler treatments are minimally invasive, they allow patients to return to daily activities almost immediately. Unlike more invasive surgeries, dermal fillers offer a less disruptive option for treating either facial signs of aging, or the other conditions discussed above.

Side Effects and Longevity of Dermal Fillers

The effectiveness, potential side effects, and longevity of dermal fillers depend on a number of factors. Most of these have to do with what type of filler you’re using, and what type of medical condition you’re trying to treat. Different treatments require different types of fillers, and not all types of dermal fillers are right for all medical conditions.

Like botox-like injections, common side effects of dermal fillers can include

pain, swelling, redness, bruising, or infection at the injection site;
itching, rash, or bumps around the injection site;
and in rarer cases, blood vessel damage, blindness, or tissue death.

Plenty of individual factors can affect how long a given dermal filler treatment lasts. As with most medical procedures, the younger and healthier you are, the better your results are likely to be. (In other words, don’t smoke, avoid the sun, and maintain a healthy diet!)

Where you’re getting treatment (and for what condition) also greatly affects how long the treatment will last and how successful it will be. Getting your own fat transplanted into reconstructed breasts is obviously going to last a lot longer than a lip injection, since we move our lips thousands of times a day. Fillers in high-movement areas tend to break down faster; ditto dermal fillers (other than fat injections) in people with high metabolism.

And also keep in mind that

Different types of dermal fillers have varying longevity:

Hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm and Restylane usually last between 6 to 18 months. Calcium hydroxylapatite fillers, such as Radiesse, may last up to 12 months or more. For longer-lasting results, poly-L-lactic acid fillers like Sculptra are an option, often requiring a series of treatments but offering extended durability.

Permanent options, such as using a patient’s own body fat (autologous fat injections) or polymethylmethacrylate fillers, provide longevity but have their own set of considerations. For reconstructive options, being a permanent solution often makes autologous fat a no-brainer. For synthetic permanent fillers, there are other considerations to discuss with your provider, especially if you’re looking at dermal fillers for purely aesthetic reasons. (Think about those celebrities who you know are pushing 80 but have had so many cosmetic treatments that they no longer look like themselves.)

What Is the Common Procedure for Injectable Skin Treatments?

Injectable treatments can be much easier for patients to tolerate than more invasive options such as surgery, because of their short recovery time and often speedy results. Whether you’re seeking injections to make your skin look younger (either through relaxing or filling and smoothing wrinkles) or for other treatment goals as described above, there are three main steps to any injectable treatment process. For both botox injections and dermal fillers, you’ll need:

an initial consult with your treatment provider;
the actual injection(s), whether your treatment involves one injection or multiple injections over time (as may be the case for some treatments like Botox for migraines ,or autologous fat injections to create what my breast-cancer-survivor friend Mikki calls her “foobs”); and finally,
aftercare and maintenance following your injection treatment(s).

First things first: Choosing a provider

As I’ve noted above (though it bears repeating), finding a reputable provider for your dermal filler treatment or botox injections is a critical starting point. What type of condition you’re trying to treat may help narrow your search for a provider.

If your dentist comments on your teeth grinding and jaw clenching, ask if they do injectable treatments in-office (mine does!).
If you’re a cancer patient or have severe scarring after other surgeries, your oncologist or surgeon can probably refer you to an appropriate cosmetic treatment center.
If you or your child has seen a dermatologist for acne treatment, they can probably also help minimize scarring afterward.
And for purely aesthetic considerations, you can’t go wrong with a cosmetic dermatologist or a reputable medical spa, such as the practitioners at places like ImageLab.

For some medical conditions where the FDA has approved injectable treatments, like chronic migraines that don’t respond to first-line treatment options, insurance coverage may help you locate qualified providers in your area. Compare your insurance company’s participating providers list against any suggestions your referring provider has to offer.

The Initial Consultation

Before undergoing any dermal filler treatment, an initial consultation is crucial. During an initial consult, you will discuss your treatment goals with a qualified provider. Come prepared with a list of concerns and questions, which will help the practice create a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your needs and expectations.

At your consult appointment, the provider will discuss your medical and/or aesthetic concerns, and evaluate your skin condition and related underlying structures. This will help them choose the best type of injectable to meet your treatment objectives, as well as determine appropriate dosing.

This consultation also provides a chance to answer your questions, discuss potential risks, and understand the treatment’s expected results and longevity. Above all else, you should leave your initial consult feeling good about your pending procedure and the person who will perform it. If you experience any gut-level red flags during the consult, find a different provider or seek other treatment options.

The Procedure

Whether botox-like treatment or dermal filler, injection treatments are generally performed in your provider’s office or clinic, and you can expect a trained professional to be the one giving you the injection. They usually numb the injection site first with a topical anesthetic; depending on the treatment areas, the procedure can last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour.

During the injection process, a fine needle or cannula is used to insert the filler beneath the skin. The practitioner carefully injects the filler into specific areas, focusing on adding volume to hollow regions or smoothing wrinkles and lines.

Patients typically describe feeling slight pressure or a stinging sensation during the procedure. These sensations are usually brief, and the process is generally well-tolerated, allowing individuals to resume daily activities immediately afterward for dermal fillers, or usually in a couple of days for botox-like injections. Be sure to follow your treatment provider’s specific instructions, though, since these may vary depending on what condition you’re trying to treat.

Aftercare and Follow-Up Visits Post-Treatment

Aftercare plays a vital role in maintaining the results of both botox and dermal fillers. Most commonly, you’ll need to avoid strenuous activities, direct sunlight, and extensive heat exposure for a short period post-procedure. Applying ice packs can help reduce swelling and alleviate any discomfort.

Regular follow-up appointments ensure that results meet expectations and allow for necessary adjustments. As I noted above, botox injections tend to last for anywhere from three to six months, while the effects of non-permanent dermal fillers can last from several months to over a year.

Your turn:

Have you, a family member, or a friend ever had botox-like injections, dermal filler injections, or a similar injectable treatment? Was it to treat signs of aging, or another medical condition? How did it go? Let us know in the comments!

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