North Metro Dermatology offers many cosmetic treatment options to address various anti-aging skin concerns, including Botox®, Juvederm, and SkinViveTM. All of these procedures are performed at our clinic by a board-certified dermatologist. Let’s explore the differences between these three cosmetic treatment options so that you can decide what works best for you!

Fine lines and wrinkles are some of the first signs of skin aging. Neuromodulators, including Botox Cosmetic® (onabotulinum toxin A) and Dysport® (abobotulinum toxin), are injectable treatments used to temporarily relax facial muscles responsible for causing wrinkles and fine lines in areas of expression. Popular treatment sites include crow’s feet, forehead furrows, frown lines, brow lift, and perioral lines. Neuromodulator treatment leaves  a smoother, rejuvenated appearance to the skin.

Neuromodulators are injected with a tiny needle under the skin to relax the facial muscles responsible for fine lines and wrinkles. The procedure feels like small, second-long pokes and is very well-tolerated.

This procedure has little to no downtime. People can return to work and other activities immediately after receiving this treatment. It is ok to apply makeup and continue regular skin care products immediately after treatment. Mild swelling or redness can occur at injection sites and may be noticeable for a few hours (sometimes days) after treatment.  Following treatment, it is recommended to avoid massaging the treated areas, lying down, or bending over for the next 4 hours, and avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours.

Full effect can take up to 2 weeks for either Dysport® or Botox Cosmetic®.  Dysport® results tend to be faster, within days, with results seen as early as 72 hours. Botox Cosmetic® results are noted within 7-10 days. 

Effects of fine line and wrinkle relaxation typically last 3-4 months, though results may last even longer for some people. 

Read more about Botox® and Dysport® on our website, or schedule a consultation with our esthetician.  

Juvederm® is one of multiple injectable dermal fillers available at North Metro Dermatology. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring hydrating substance present in healthy, youthful skin. Over time, aging, sun exposure, and smoking can reduce the amount of hyaluronic acid in the skin, resulting in volume loss, folds, and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers, like Juvederm®, are FDA-approved injectable options to help temporarily replace natural hyaluronic acid that has been lost. This restores volume, resulting in smoother skin and reduction of facial wrinkles and folds. Commonly treated areas include the nasolabial folds (smile lines), downward lines from the corners of the mouth (marionette lines), cheeks, lips, hands, under-eye area (tear troughs), acne scars, and ear lobes.

Injectable dermal fillers are usually well-tolerated, but for a more comfortable experience, our clinic offers topical anesthetic application 30-45 prior to the procedure. Immediately before the procedure, the skin is thoroughly cleansed and ice is applied to minimize discomfort. Injections are made into the skin using tiny needles. The injectable agents also contain numbing ingredients to help the procedure be more tolerable as well.

Injection site soreness, redness, and swelling can last up to 1 week, and bruising may persist for up to 2 weeks. Using ice packs following the procedure can help minimize swelling, bruising and discomfort, and arnica products may be recommended to also help with the healing process. Following treatment, it is recommended to avoid exercise for 48 hours, and to wait at least 2 weeks before other facial treatments or other medical procedures.

Dermal fillers demonstrate an immediate effect, but full results are appreciated within 2 weeks following treatment.

Typically, filler lasts 6-12 months, though sometimes longer depending on the type of filler product used. 

Read more about Juvederm® and other dermal fillers on our website, or schedule a consultation with our esthetician.

Skinvive™ is the first and only FDA-approved hyaluronic acid micro-droplet injectable used to improve skin quality in the cheeks by increasing hydration and smoothing the skin. When injected, Skinvive™. Skinvive™ injections disperse across the deeper layer of the skin, boosting hydration and resulting in a glowing complexion and overall smoother texture

Skinvive™ is injected with a tiny needle under the skin to disperse micro-droplets of this hydrating product into the deeper layer of the skin called the dermis. The procedure feels like small, second-long pokes throughout the cheeks and is very well tolerated with mild discomfort. Ice is placed on the areas to be treated just prior to injections, and Skinvive™ itself contains lidocaine, so these measures also help reduce procedure discomfort. 

Downtime is short, with mild redness and swelling that can last hours, and mild bruising that generally resolves within a week or two.

Many report improvement in skin texture and increased hydration within days, but full results are expected about 30 days after treatment.

Skinvive™ results typically last around 6 months.

As you can see, neuromodulators, dermal fillers, and SkinViveTM offer different benefits to target different anti-aging skin concerns. If you are interested in looking into one or more of these options, we would love to help talk through options with you in a cosmetic consultation!

Read more about Skinvive™ on our website, or schedule a consultation with our esthetician.