Botox and Juvederm: Which Is Best For Seniors
A natural part of the aging process is that your skin starts to dry out and get thinner, which often results in wrinkles, lines and cracks in your skin. While this usually occurs on your whole body, it is an issue for many people when it affects their face.
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The long used and common solution to this problem was, and still is, the use of skin creams and specialized cosmetics. However, the 21st century brought in newer and more effective treatments for wrinkles, including Botox and Juvederm. Both of these are drugs that are injected under the skin that actually eliminate or greatly reduce wrinkles and other facial imperfections, instead of just covering them up. It should be noted that even large numbers of men are getting these treatments.
Although both Botox and Juvederm treatments are not considered surgical (as they consist of injections only), they should not be used on a casual basis. These treatments are not suitable for every individual and should only be undertaken with the consultation and supervision of duly licensed and experienced medical professionals.
Botox
Botox injections contain botulinum toxin A, which is a type of neurotoxin. It is injected under the skin on your face, which relaxes and stills the muscles in that area of your face. As a result, your skin appears smoother and wrinkles near the injection site become less visible. Usually, multiple small injections are required for the desired results.
This treatment has been shown to be effective for vertical lines between the eyebrows, wrinkles around the eyes (crow’s feet), wrinkles on the forehead and other facial wrinkles. A typical treatment procedure with Botox takes between 15 minutes and an hour. It should be noted that while Botox is fully approved by the FDA for many years, it is not generally recommended for people 65 or over.
Juvederm
Like Botox, this treatment works by being injected under the skin of your face. However, the way it works is totally different. Juvederm is a volumizing gel made from hyaluronic acid, which is designed to “fill in” your wrinkles from underneath the skin. Juvederm comes in different formulas, each to treat different parts of your face – including lips and mouth area, adding volume to the lips, nose and mouth area, and adding volume to the cheeks. Most of the Juvederm formulas are labeled with an “XC”, to denote that they contain lidocaine to reduce pain and discomfort.
A typical treatment takes under an hour and usually involves less injections than Botox. Unlike Botox, Juvederm is recommended for healthy adults of all ages.
Treatment Results
Botox treatment results are usually noticeable in three to four days. An advantage of Botox is that the treatment can be more readily ‘fine tuned’ than Juvederm, but the results only last for around four months. To maintain the results of removed wrinkles and other imperfections, you’ll need follow-up injections after this time.
Juvederm treatment results can often be noticed almost immediately. This is because it is a physical gel that can work right away, as opposed to the drug in Botox that takes time to work. Also, the results of Juvederm treatments usually last for between one to two years. Surveys have reported that over 60% of patients receiving this type of treatment are satisfied with the obtained results.
Suitable Patients
Both Botox and Juvederm are approved by the FDA and have been widely used. As mentioned before, Botox is not generally recommended for those over 65. In either case, an individual’s specific medical condition and history have to be taken into account. For example, you may not qualify if you have certain skin disorders or thick patches of skin at the treatment site.
Cost
Juvederm is usually more expensive, with a typical treatment often costing around $600. Botox is somewhat less expensive at $500. However, it is important to remember that a Juvederm treatment can last for one to two years, and Botox for around four months. While most medical insurance policies do not cover these treatments, many of the treatment providers offer financing for the cost.
Safety and Side Effects
Botox treatments have been proven over time to be generally safe and the most common side effects are temporary bruising and swelling at or near the injection sites. However, a rare type of complication can occur if the active ingredient in Botox travels from the injection site to another area of the body, which can cause serious toxicity side effects.
Juvederm treatments have also been shown to be safe, with the most common side effects being temporary pain, itching, swelling and bumps at or near the injection sites. The biggest risk of side effects occurs if a “knock-off” (copy cat) type of Juvederm is used. Also, side effects can vary between the different formula types.
Conclusion
The above appears to indicate that the better choice for most seniors is Juvederm. This is due to mainly that Botox: is not government recommended for those over 65, only lasts for about four months and also therefore more expensive. Also, the toxicity issue with Botox is rare, but can be very serious.
