What is the difference in effects between Botox lip flips and lip fillers?

Doctor's Answers 1

Botox is a neuromodulator - it reduces the unnecessary contraction of muscles by blocking neurotransmitters. This reduces the pull on the overlying skin to which it attaches, thereby reducing what we call dynamic wrinkling - wrinkling associated with movement. Botox can help with static wrinkles too - fine wrinkles present at rest, but might only do so subtly. Botox, therefore, helps with the wrinkles that appear with pursing of the lips - known as barcode wrinkles.

Fillers - hyaluronic acid or otherwise - are used to create volume or sculpt. For the lips, only hyaluronic acid fillers are advisable, and they help define the margins of the lips, reduce any peri-oral wrinkles superficially, and give volume to the lips. They do not reduce muscle contractility and these dynamic wrinkles will still be visible on movement. Static wrinkles can also be improved by placing soft fillers directly under the static wrinkles.

The decision on whether to use botox or fillers depends on the issue at hand. In fact, patients typically present with a combination of dynamic wrinkling, volume loss, and static wrinkles. Combination approaches are therefore advised to get the optimal outcome.

Similar Questions

How to permanently reduce the size of my masseter muscles if Botox is ineffective?

Thank you for your question. There's a couple of reasons why you could be "botox resistant". 1. Maybe the botox has worked very well and you do not have enlarged masseter muscles anymore, therefore, injecting more toxin will not shrink your jawline any further. 2. There are some people who develop antibodies to botox. You may need to use a different brand of toxin if your masseters are still hypertrophic. The only permanent ways to reduce your jawline are surgical. Either your muscle can be reduced or your mandible can be reduced or both. Hope this answers your question.

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Answered By

Dr Christopher Chui

Plastic Surgeon

Are uneven bumps and bruising normal after fillers and Botox? (photo)

Hi, There are two issues that you have raised that need first to be considered separately then together. A. Bruising after any instrumentation such as injection is a known side-effect that can only be minimized but cannot be totally avoided. The bruising results from leakage of blood into the skin due to injury to the small skin blood vessels from the injection. 1. This side-effect can be aggravated if you are taking blood thinners, painkilllers, gingko nuts or any medication and food that may cause the blood to clot less easily. 2.

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Answered By

Dr Chin Yee Choong

Aesthetic

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