Wrinkle Cream vs. Botox: Which Wrinkle Treatment Is Right for You?
Medical Review By: Denise Guevara, DO
To treat wrinkles, should you slather on the wrinkle cream or book a Botox appointment?
Understanding which types of wrinkles each one treats can help you make the right decision. For example, an over-the-counter or prescription-strength retinol or retinoid cream is noninvasive and cheaper than Botox. (Retinols are weaker versions of retinoids, which are available by prescription. Both are derivatives of vitamin A.) With continued use, you should see a reduction in wrinkles over a matter of weeks or months.
On the other hand, you may get faster, more dramatic results with Botox, which blocks nerve signals to the injected muscles, reducing the muscle activity that leads to wrinkles. With Botox, wrinkles are often reduced or eliminated within a week, and the treatment takes just 10 to 15 minutes.
But the truth is that Botox, while powerful, is not always more effective than wrinkle cream.
“The choice between using or getting Botox injections depends on whether you have static wrinkles or dynamic wrinkles,” explained Denise Guevara, DO, a board-certified dermatologist at Water’s Edge Dermatology.
Wrinkle cream for static wrinkles
Wrinkle cream is the better option for static wrinkles, according to Dr. Guevara. Examples of static wrinkles include neck wrinkles, wrinkles under the eyes and marionette lines, which start at the corners of the mouth and extend down to the chin.
Static wrinkles develop as a result of age-related skin changes. Over time, the body produces less collagen and elastin, proteins that keep skin plump (collagen) and firm (elastin). As levels decline, the face loses volume and the skin becomes thinner, which leads to wrinkled, sagging or crepe-y skin. Sun damage, pollution, smoking and vaping all speed up the process. Retinol creams help reverse it.
“Retinol diminishes the appearance of wrinkles and lines because it boosts collagen and elastin production, making your skin look more plump and youthful,” said Dr. Guevera.
It may take some time for your skin to get used to the active ingredient in these creams. If the concentration is too high, you may experience stinging, peeling, redness or dryness, especially if you have sensitive skin. Your dermatologist can help you choose the right concentration.
Dr. Guevara recommends using a retinol cream only three times a week instead of every day to avoid irritation.
Botox for dynamic wrinkles
Botox is the better choice for dynamic wrinkles. These are caused by repetitive facial movements such as smiling, frowning and squinting. When you’re young, dynamic wrinkles are temporary because elastin allows the skin to snap back into place. But as elastin declines, these lines eventually become permanent.
Examples of dynamic wrinkles include worry lines (vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows, also known as elevens), horizontal forehead wrinkles and smile lines (wrinkles that develop around the sides of the mouth).
Like static wrinkles, dynamic wrinkles can develop prematurely. Smoking, for example, causes people to squint and pucker their lips, creating dynamic wrinkles at the corners of the eyes (crow’s feet) and creases around the edges of the lips.
“Dynamic wrinkles can also form sooner in people who simply have very expressive faces, meaning their face moves more than average when they’re speaking or reacting to something,” noted Dr. Guevara.
Botox works for dynamic wrinkles because it temporarily paralyzes the facial muscles that cause them. Botox injections can treat existing wrinkles but also prevent dynamic wrinkles from forming. It’s a good idea to start getting Botox injections in your late 20s, according to Dr. Guevara. You may want to start even earlier if you have a particularly expressive face.
Still not sure which is the better option for you? Consult a dermatologist.
Article Written By: Jessica Brown, a health and science writer/editor based in Brooklyn, New York. She has written for Prevention magazine, jnj.com, BCRF.org and many other outlets.
What You Need to Know About Injectable Fillers
Any plan to address signs of facial aging needs to take into account the multiple structural layers of the face and how they work together to achieve facial harmony. Many of the visible signs of aging are due to volume loss. As facial tissues thin, lines become prominent and cheeks tend to look hollow. Dermal fillers can replace that lost volume and give you a more youthful look without the cost of cosmetic surgery. They are one of the safest cosmetic treatments that you can get and fill hollows, folds, lines and wrinkles in less than 30 minutes. Results can last from four months to more than a year.
Unlike Botox injections that relax the muscle to reduce wrinkles, injectable fillers plump, lift and define areas such as cheeks, chins, jawlines and temples. They fill lines and creases and are an excellent choice for lips.
To get the best results, it’s important to select the right wrinkle filler for the right kind of wrinkle. And be sure to have your injectable treatments performed by a board-certified dermatologist, especially one with an expertise in fillers. Let’s take a quick look at a couple of different types of injectable fillers.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
This the most popular type of wrinkle filler and results can last from several months to over a year or two. Some research has shown that repeated injections of hyaluronic acid fillers may stimulate the body’s own natural production of collagen. Two of our most popular, longer-lasting and sophisticated hyaluronic acid fillers at Water’s Edge are Juvederm Voluma and Restylane Refyne & Defyne.
Synthetic Filler or Collagen Stimulators
These fillers are made in the lab and often deliver a longer-lasting effect. Sculptra Aesthetic is one of our most popular fillers in this category. Collagen loss is a key factor in the aging process. As skin ages, the middle layer of skin (dermis) thins due to collagen loss. This reduces the skin's ability to retain elasticity (from elastin) and moisture (from hyaluronic acid). Due to this loss of elastin and hyaluronic acid, the skin becomes drier, less supple, less elastic and thinner resulting in volume loss. Sculptra Aesthetic stimulates your own collagen to replenish what has been lost in a gradual process for the most natural and best results.
Because fillers can cause side effects, it’s important to work with an expert in injectables like our Dr. Bebe Pajo at Water’s Edge, who is one of the top 20 injectable Sculptra injectors in the country for her artistry and best aesthetic practices.
While there are some risks associated with fillers and some people may find they are allergic to the filler, there are things you can do to ensure that you have a positive experience.
- Injecting fillers is a medical procedure that needs to be done with sterile instruments to protect your health and the health of your skin. It’s best to avoid having fillers injected in any location that is not a medical facility.
- If someone offers you a filler with a price that seems too good to be true, don’t risk it. It’s important to be sure that you are receiving a quality product with the correct outcome from the right dermatologist.
- Taking an Arnica-Bromelain supplement before and after your procedure will help with inflammation and bruising caused by fillers.
- To help preserve the quality of your skin and your new enhancement, be sure to use a sunscreen daily.
Water’s Edge can combine dermal fillers with a wrinkle reducer to create dramatic results. Injections take just a few minutes, and you can get on with your day with absolutely no downtime.
To find out which injectable is right for you, schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our cosmetic providers today. Click here to Request an Appointment.