Category: Botox & Fillers

Are Dermal Fillers the Same as BOTOX?

Dermal fillers and BOTOX Cosmetic are both aesthetic treatments administered via injections, but they are not the same. Both target certain types of wrinkles and signs of aging. An experienced dermatologist like Dr. Renuka Diwan can match you to the right injectable or filler.

BOTOX Cosmetic Explained

BOTOX Cosmetic is made from botulinum toxin type A. This neurotoxic protein is FDA-approved to treat frown lines, which are the vertical lines between the eyebrows. BOTOX Cosmetic has also been used off-label for other areas of the face ever since its inception. The most common treatment areas are:

  • The frown lines (also called glabellar lines or 11s)
  • Crow’s feet
  • Horizontal forehead lines
  • Bunny lines on the nose

BOTOX Cosmetic works by softening the muscular contractions that occur in very targeted locations when you furrow your brow, squint your eyes, smile, or otherwise contract areas of your face. BOTOX Cosmetic doesn’t create a frozen or artificial look, but instead reduces the wrinkling and folding of skin that occurs with repeated facial expressions.

When You May Want Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers smooth and soften wrinkles by restoring volume below the skin. Some types of wrinkles are not formed by muscular contractions but by a loss of volume that creates a crevice in the skin.

Dermal fillers are made of different materials, but most commonly composed of hyaluronic acid. HA is also found naturally in your body, in the joints, eyes, connective tissue, and skin. HA binds with moisture molecules to keep skin looking smooth, plump, and hydrated.

Dermal fillers are most often used for:

  • Thin lips
  • Nasolabial folds around the nose
  • Marionette lines around the mouth
  • Bags below the eyes
  • Hollow cheeks
  • Hollow temples
  • Creases on the chin
  • Acne scars

BOTOX Cosmetic and dermal fillers are sometimes used together in a comprehensive treatment plan. The right injectable – or combination of injectables – will depend on your aesthetic goals and your skin.

Consult an Experienced Injector

Dr. Renuka Diwan is a board-certified dermatologist with decades of experience in the cosmetic dermatology field. She will examine your face, listen to your goals, and help you decide which approach is right for you. To learn more about BOTOX Cosmetic, dermal fillers, and your other aesthetic options at our Westlake practice, please call our team at 440-871-9832.

At What Age Should I Get BOTOX?

Three young women smiling at the camera together BOTOX Cosmetic softens fine lines and wrinkles on various areas of your face. These wrinkles are formed by facial expressions that repeatedly fold the skin If you are in your 20s or 30s, you may wonder if you’re too young for BOTOX. The answer is, not necessarily! 

There are certainly reasons to consider BOTOX at that age:

  • Correct early wrinkles from facial expression if they have already appeared

  • Prevent the worsening of existing expression lines

  • Control negative facial expressions, such as frowning, to have a more approachable and open facial appearance 

  • Results are temporary, so there’s no risk in seeing how you like the effect

Getting “Preventive” BOTOX before any skin creases appear won’t necessarily achieve any benefit for you in the years ahead. A one-on-one consultation with Dr. Diwan is necessary to find out.

If you are in your 20s and thinking about enhancing your facial appearance, talk to Dr. Diwan about your options. She will examine your skin and facial anatomy, and look for the presence of any fine lines. BOTOX is just one of the many treatments that may be right for you. It could also be that you will benefit simply from doubling down on a sun protection routine and skin hydration to keep your skin looking youthful, healthy, and refreshed. You may benefit from dermal fillers to enhance certain contours, or it could be a combination of treatments that are a good match for your goals. Dr. Diwan is here to help you decide!

Rejuvenate Your Facial Appearance At Any Age

Whether you’re in your 20s, your 80s, or somewhere in between, Dr. Renuka Diwan can help you find the combination of treatments that will achieve your goals. To arrange a consultation with Dr. Diwan to discuss BOTOX Cosmetic in the Cleveland region, please call the Laser and Skin Surgery Center at 440-871-9832.

When Can I Work Out After BOTOX Injections?

Many of the guests of our practice lead active, healthy lifestyles. As such, they often wonder how cosmetic treatments will impact their exercise routines, and for how long. Although BOTOX® Cosmetic is known for its minimal downtime, it is advisable to postpone certain physical activities for a little while after the injections.

Exercise may involve pressure on Botox injection sites causing the effect of Botox to spread to other muscles in the region and unintended effects.  Dr Diwan recommends avoiding pressure on the eyebrows after Botox injection of muscles that create the vertical creases between the eyebrows (commonly known as “elevens”).  Pressure on these muscles can lead to Botox spreading to other nearby muscles that help to raise the upper eyelid or eyebrows and create unintended effects.  Such pressure can be the result of swim goggles or ski goggles that press on the eyebrows.  There is no clear evidence to recommend avoiding exercise after Botox. 

On the other hand, exercising the injected muscles for an hour can lead to quicker effects of Botox.  

Other  movements during exercise could also create unintentional stress on injection sites.  Your consultation with Dr. Renuka Diwan will include a discussion of do’s and don’ts.  Once Dr. Diwan knows exactly what activities you like to do, she can provide customized precautions. 

Ready for Your BOTOX® Appointment?

To learn more about BOTOX® Cosmetic at our Westlake, OH, practice, please call the office of Dr. Renuka Diwan at 440-871-9832. Millions of people have used BOTOX® Cosmetic to soften the signs of aging and restore a refreshed look. The only way to know if you are a good candidate is to discuss your options with Dr. Diwan. The downtime is very minimal and you will be able to get back to your routine very quickly.

BOTOX® Cosmetic vs. Juvederm®

Woman getting Botox and dermal fillers
If you want to reduce the visible signs of aging, BOTOX® Cosmetic and Juvederm® can deliver fast, efficient results in different ways. BOTOX® Cosmetic is a neuromodulator that relaxes muscles that cause wrinkles through repeated, daily contractions. Juvederm is a dermal filler that restores volume and replenishes naturally occurring, skin-healing compounds.

At the Laser and Skin Surgery Center, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Renuka Diwan has nearly 30 years of experience helping her Cleveland patients attain radiant, youthful-looking skin. She can help diminish the visible signs of aging that you’re unhappy with. Read on to learn about the differences between BOTOX® Cosmetic and Juvederm, as well as how Dr. Diwan can use them to help you. Continue reading BOTOX® Cosmetic vs. Juvederm®

Mini-Facelift or Dermal Fillers: Which Do I Need?

Woman With Wrinkles Touching Face
Time and gravity can take a toll on your face, leaving you with wrinkles, creases and sagging skin. Facial aging is a concern for many of Dr. Diwan’s patients, but how they choose to address it varies. While some patients prefer a mini-facelift, others find that dermal fillers are the better option. At The Laser & Skin Surgery Center, we strive to provide you with both surgical and non-surgical solutions so you can choose a treatment option that best meets your needs.
Continue reading Mini-Facelift or Dermal Fillers: Which Do I Need?

Debunking BOTOX® Cosmetic Myths

Woman With Forehead Wrinkles Who Needs BOTOX Cosmetic

BOTOX® Cosmetic is one of the most popular non-surgical treatments for reducing the appearance of wrinkles. FDA-approved for use in more than 96 countries, BOTOX® Cosmetic injections are performed on more than 1.5 million people annually. Despite its popularity, or perhaps because of it, there are many myths surrounding its use.  At The Laser & Skin Surgery Center, many of our clients have seen successful results with BOTOX® Cosmetic injections, which is why we’d like to help dispel these misconceptions so you can better determine if BOTOX® Cosmetic is right for you.
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This Just In! Twice as Many Considering Cosmetic Procedures

Diwan, ASDS - Image This past month, the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) released new statistics showing the growing interest in cosmetic procedures. In the past three years alone, the number of men and women choosing cosmetic medical procedures has nearly doubled. Reflected by the ever-mounting interest in her Westlake practice, Dr. Diwan can personally attest to these staggering statistics. Continue reading This Just In! Twice as Many Considering Cosmetic Procedures

Study Says: Botox Can Rejuvenate Your Skin

Diwan, Botox - ImageAt the Laser and Skin Surgery Center, Botox is one of our most popular treatments. Botox is best known for its ability to lessen the appearance of pesky facial wrinkles. But what if Botox can do more to revitalize the skin than simply relax fine lines and stubborn wrinkles? A new study points to just this—skin rejuvenation.

 

Continue reading Study Says: Botox Can Rejuvenate Your Skin