Tox and dermal fillers are two of the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedures. Both are effective at reducing wrinkles and restoring a more youthful appearance, but they work in different ways. Choosing between Tox and fillers depends on your specific cosmetic goals, budget, and preferences. In this article, we’ll take a look at the differences between Tox and fillers to hopefully help you determine which option is best for you.
How Tox and Fillers Differ
Mechanism of action:
- Tox contains botulinum toxin, which relaxes muscles under the skin that cause wrinkles. This smoothing of facial muscles allows skin to appear smoother. The effects of Tox typically last 3-6 months.
- Dermal fillers like Juvederm contain hyaluronic acid, which adds volume under the skin. Fillers fill in facial folds and wrinkles, creating a plumping effect. The results from fillers can last 6-18 months.
Treatment areas:
- Tox is primarily used to treat dynamic wrinkles that are caused by facial movements – crow’s feet, forehead lines, and frown lines between eyebrows.
- Dermal fillers add volume and are used to treat static wrinkles, folds, and volume loss in cheeks, lips, temples, hands, and under the eyes. Fillers can also augment lips.
Cost and frequency:
- Tox costs approximately $300-600 per treatment area every 3-6 months.
- Dermal fillers range from $600-900 per treatment area per year. Most fillers need to be repeated every 6-18 months.
Preparation and recovery:
- Neither treatment requires significant preparation or recovery time. Both take only about 15-30 minutes for injections.
- Patients may experience temporary redness, swelling, or bruising at injection sites, but this will typically go down within a few days.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Tox?
Tox works best for patients who want to smooth out wrinkles caused by facial expressions. It’s ideal for reducing:
- Forehead furrows
- Crow’s feet
- Frown lines between eyebrows
- Bunny lines on the nose
Patients in their 20s or 30s can use Tox as a preventative treatment. It’s also commonly used by those in their 40s, 50s, and above to reduce signs of aging.
Tox isn’t recommended for pregnant or nursing women.
Patients with any neuromuscular disorders should advise their provider, as Tox may not be suitable for them. Those with ALS, myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, and other similar conditions should avoid Tox.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Fillers?
Dermal fillers add volume and lift. They can:
- Plump lips
- Enhance cheekbones
- Fill hollow under eye circles
- Soften marionette lines around the mouth
- Fill temples
- Fill crepey skin on the neck and chest
Fillers are a great option for patients who want to lift sagging skin and fill in lost volume in the face. They are popular among men and women from their 30s through 60s.
Patients who want a significant increase in lip size/volume will benefit from a filler like Juvederm or Restylane in the lips. Those looking for a subtle lip enhancement may prefer a lighter filler.
Like Tox, fillers should not be used by pregnant or nursing women. Patients with certain medical conditions like autoimmune disorders should advise their provider.
Combination Treatments
Many patients choose to get Tox and fillers together to achieve a complete facial rejuvenation.
Some popular combination treatments include:
- Tox for forehead lines + filler for under eye hollows
- Tox for crow’s feet + filler for cheek augmentation
- Tox for frown lines + filler for lips
Combination treatments allow patients to target both dynamic wrinkles and lost volume in one appointment. This can lead to a natural, smooth and youthful appearance without looking “overdone.”
Proper placement and product selection by an experienced injector is key to ensuring a balanced and aesthetically pleasing result from the combo treatment.
Which One Should You Choose?
The ideal treatment plan may include both Tox and fillers, as they complement each other. Tox will smooth lines, while fillers add volume.
Focus on your specific goals to determine which is best to start with:
- If you want to lift drooping cheeks or fill hollowness under eyes, choose dermal filler.
- If you want to soften crow’s feet or forehead lines, Tox is the better option.
- If the goal is lip augmentation, filler is required.
- If you want to prevent lines from getting worse, start with Tox.
Your provider can give you tailored advice about whether Tox, fillers, or a combination will give you the best aesthetic outcome. Be sure to communicate your budget and expectations upfront.
With a skilled injector, both Tox and dermal fillers are very safe with minimal downtime. Schedule a consultation to determine which facial rejuvenation option fits your cosmetic goals.