07 Mar Cosmetic Injectables vs Dermal Fillers: Unmasking the Beauty Battle

Are you considering cosmetic procedures to turn back the clock? You’re not alone! Whilst getting old is a privilege, it doesn’t mean we need to show it off to the world with wrinkles and sagging skin, sunken appearances or other manifestations of the years gone by. When most people look into anti-ageing solutions, they likely consider the two most popular treatments. Cosmetic injectables or dermal fillers. But how do you know what’s best?

While both options offer significant benefits, and different advantages, one may be better for what you are trying to achieve. A combination might be beneficial or neither option might be the best way forward. Before considering any type of cosmetic procedure it’s important to do your research and talk to a qualified medical professional for advice tailored specific to your needs as injectables and fillers both attack different concerns.

Cosmetic injectables have the ability to relax muscles and soften lines, helping crow’s feet fade, forehead furrows relax, and laughter lines diminish, with the goal of giving you a more youthful appearance. On the other hand, dermal fillers are more like sculptors, restoring lost volume and reshaping contours. They plump up hollows, redefine cheekbones, and enhance lips, creating a more lifted and youthful profile for your face.

While both treatments share the goal of combating signs of ageing, they each have their own unique strengths and approaches. No matter what procedure you choose, it should always be administered by a qualified and experienced medical professional. Zecca in Sydney is a leading Australian clinic for non-surgical beauty and cosmetic treatments. All our anti-wrinkle or dermal filler brands are TGA approved, and your individual needs will be assessed by our amazing qualified team.

What Are The Main Differences Between Cosmetic Injectables & Dermal Fillers?

As discussed, there are a number of differences between the two most well-known cosmetic procedures – cosmetic injectables and dermal fillers. They do serve different purposes and are made of different materials, but both can be effective tools for enhancing your appearance and combating signs of ageing. We highlight the main differences below.

Dermal Fillers:

• Purpose: Dermal fillers are primarily used to add volume, fill in wrinkles, and enhance facial contours. They are injected beneath the skin to plump up areas that have lost volume due to ageing or other factors.
• Materials: Fillers are mostly made of substances like hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, or collagen. Hyaluronic acid fillers are a popular option because it is a naturally occurring substance in the body and is well-tolerated by most people.
• Treatment Areas: Fillers are versatile and can be used to treat various areas of the face, including the cheeks, lips, nasolabial folds (smile lines), marionette lines, and under-eye hollows. They can also augment features such as the chin or jawline.
• Duration of Effects: The effects are temporary, typically lasting anywhere from several months to over a year, depending on the type of filler used and individual metabolism. Over time, the body gradually breaks down the filler, leading to a gradual return to the pre-treatment appearance.

Cosmetic Injectables:

• Purpose: Cosmetic injectables are part of a broader category of treatments used for various cosmetic purposes, including reducing wrinkles, relaxing muscles, and rejuvenating the skin. They can address both dynamic wrinkles (caused by facial movements) and static wrinkles (present at rest).
• Materials: The most well-known cosmetic injectable is derived from a purified toxin that works by temporarily paralysing or relaxing muscles, preventing them from contracting and thus reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
• Treatment Areas: Cosmetic injectables are predominately used to treat wrinkles in the forehead, between the eyebrows (glabellar lines), and around the eyes (crow’s feet). Other cosmetic injectables include collagen stimulators like Sculptra, which stimulate collagen production to improve skin elasticity and volume over time.
• Duration of Effects: The effects of these can last around 3-6 months before requiring touch-up treatments. Collagen stimulators like Sculptra may have longer-lasting effects as they gradually stimulate collagen production, but multiple sessions are usually required for optimal results.

When it comes to addressing your different concerns with cosmetic injectables and dermal fillers, each has its own strengths. Cosmetic injectables are particularly effective for treating dynamic wrinkles caused by facial movements, Whereas dermal fillers are better suited for restoring volume, filling in static wrinkles, and enhancing facial contours. At the end of the day the choice between cosmetic injectables and dermal fillers depends on your specific concerns and desired outcomes.

What’s Involved In Each Treatment Process?

Cosmetic Injectables:

One of the best things about cosmetic injectables is it’s a quick, straightforward and relatively pain-free procedure. As long as you seek qualified, trained and experienced medical professionals to do your treatment, of course. The chosen area is first cleaned, and sometimes a topical anaesthetic cream may be applied to minimise your discomfort, although it’s not always necessary.

A fine needle is then used to inject the solution into specific muscles responsible for causing wrinkles. The injections have been described as feeling like small pinpricks or brief stings, but the discomfort is usually minimal and tolerable for most people. You should always discuss any concerns you have regarding pain – or anything else- with your medical professional before moving forward. Some practitioners may use ice or vibration devices to help numb the area and reduce discomfort further. After the injections, there may be some temporary redness or swelling at the injection sites, but this typically subsides quickly.

Dermal Fillers:

Dermal filler procedures are a little different. Your qualified and talented medical professional will inject a gel-like substance beneath the skin to add volume, fill wrinkles, or enhance facial contours. Before the procedure, the treatment area is cleansed, and sometimes a topical numbing cream or local anaesthetic may be applied to minimise discomfort. Your pain tolerance is something you should discuss with the team before you get started.

The filler is then injected into your targeted areas using a fine needle or cannula. You may feel a slight pressure or pinching sensation, but it’s generally well-tolerated. Some fillers also contain lidocaine, a local anaesthetic, which helps numb the area during the procedure. After the injections, there may be some mild swelling, bruising, or redness, but these effects typically resolve within a few days.

The truth is both cosmetic injectables and dermal fillers can involve minor discomfort during the procedure, usually described as mild pinching or pressure. But most people find the discomfort manageable, especially with the use of numbing creams or anaesthetics. The results of both procedures are typically noticeable shortly after treatment and improve over the following days and weeks. We can not stress this enough, as with any medical procedure, it’s essential to consult with a qualified and experienced practitioner to ensure a safe and satisfactory outcome.

So, if you are considering anti-ageing medical treatments, there are significant differences in the two most well-known options, cosmetic injectables and dermal fillers. Most of these lie in their
respective functions, materials, and treatment areas. Cosmetic injectables address dynamic wrinkles by temporarily relaxing muscles, particularly in the upper face. And dermal fillers restore volume, filling static wrinkles, and enhance facial contours, in areas prone to volume loss due to ageing.

While both procedures may involve minor discomfort during administration, the results are normally well-received and really help to create a more rejuvenated appearance. The choice between cosmetic injectables and dermal fillers depends on what your concerns are, what your desired outcome is and the advice of your qualified healthcare professional. For some people neither of these options are a great choice, and may look into options like light therapy, dermapen, chemical peels or other skin treatments.

Experience the difference with Zecca Cosmedical, a local Sydney clinic renowned for non-surgical beauty and cosmetic treatments. At Zecca, we blend artistry with science to deliver unparalleled results. Our commitment to excellence ensures your experience with us is exceptional from start to finish. Trust in our expertise and cutting-edge technology to achieve your aesthetic goals.

Whether you’re considering cosmetic injectables or dermal fillers, Zeccal offers the most advanced and innovative treatments available. Our results speak for themselves, and you’ll feel the Zecca difference with every visit. Take the first step towards enhancing your natural beauty and reclaiming your confidence. Schedule your consultation with Zecca Cosmedical today and discover the difference for yourself. Your journey to a more radiant, rejuvenated appearance begins here.