Although Botox for cosmetic use has been around since 1994, some people are still confused about what it is and how it is different from a dermal filler.

Imagine dermal fillers to be like a clear jelly that is injected into areas of the face to fill lines and divots, thus creating volume. Each type of filler has a unique consistency--some being very thin and liquid-like while others being more firm. Each has it place with the goal of filling out different types of cracks and holes in the skin.

Conversely, Botox does not "fill" a space to create volume. Botox is a protein that when injected into a muscle, finds its way to the motor endplate of the muscle and prevents the muscle from contracting--essentially weakening or paralyzing the muscle.

Botox is typically used to treat wrinkles that are caused from muscular contraction. We call these wrinkles the “elevens,” or the two fine lines that develop between your eyes when you give someone a dirty look or when you look into the sun. If you have wrinkles around the sides of the eyes (otherwise known as "Crow's Feet"), Botox is used to paralyze those facial muscles. If you can prevent the muscle from contracting, you can prevent the wrinkle from forming.

Most younger people (in their 30s and 40s) only need Botox to prevent lines from forming in the areas of the face that are commonly used for animation--the forehead, eyes, mouth, etc. These types of wrinkles are referred to as "dynamic wrinkles," meaning they occur when you make facial expressions

Botox injections are simple and painless and take less than 10 minutes to deliver their effect. Because Botox lasts 3-5 months, it's no wonder it is the most popular cosmetic procedure in the world!