Botox or collagen biostimulator: when to use each one –

Wrinkles arrive at some point, and if you’re like me, it’s normal to look for ways to reduce or eliminate these marks. In your search, you’ll likely come across the two most popular options for resolving the problem: botulinum toxin and a biostimulator (such as sculptra or radiesse). But what’s the best option for you: botox or collagen biostimulator?

This will depend on each case, as explained to me by doctor Mariana Guerellusfrom the Botocenter network, when doing my treatment:

WHAT IS COLLAGEN BIO-STIMULATOR

It is a product that is injected into the skin using a cannula, to distribute the action well throughout the region. It stimulates the body itself to produce more collagen. “Collagen sustains the skin, so with its decrease, we see more flaccid skin. From the age of 30, more or less, the body decreases collagen production by about 1% per year”, explains Mariana.

Because this collagen produced comes from the body itself, the result of applying the biostimulator is only observed after 3 months, the time that the body takes to produce the fibers.

See more: 4 ways to stimulate more collagen, at home

WHAT IS BOTOX

Botulinum toxin works relaxing the facial muscles that are causing the fine lines. It blocks the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that transmits electrical signals from the brain to muscle contraction, preventing expression marks from deepening. “There are two types of wrinkles: dynamic wrinkles, which only appear when we move our face (like the lines that appear on the forehead when you raise your eyebrows) and static wrinkles, which are wrinkles that were once dynamic but, because we don’t treat them, they deepened and are now seen even with the face at rest”, says Mariana.

As Botox paralyzes the muscle, it is ideal for treating dynamic wrinkles and preventing them from becoming static. But the product is also able to slightly soften (but not eliminate) those that are already static.

WHEN TO USE BOTOX OR COLLAGEN BIO-STIMULATOR

If you have…

… Dynamic wrinkles on the forehead

Botox.

The product will paralyze the musculature and prevent the wrinkle from becoming static.

If your wrinkle is already permanent, the product will smooth the lines and prevent them from deepening further, but depending on the level of the wrinkle and if you want to eliminate it completely, facelift surgery is the only option.

The biostimulator is not indicated for the upper third of the face (from the eyes upwards) as it can form nodules in the region. “In addition, as it is applied with a cannula and not with a thin and punctual syringe like Botox, the cannula can damage the tissue in that region”, explains Mariana.

… wrinkles between the eyebrows

Botox.

This region is still part of the upper third, so botulinum toxin is always indicated. It will prevent you from getting the “angry face” that the wrinkle in this region promotes.

In addition, botox is still capable of arching the eyebrow, if the professional uses a technique that relaxes the musculature of the inner part of the eyebrows and leaves the posterior part freer, thus leaving the end of the eyebrows higher.

… sagging cheek

Biostimulator.

The product will cause the collagen in the region to increase, forming more support fibers and leaving the region firmer and more lifted.

Botox is not used on the cheeks because it is a region where you need to use your muscles a lot.

… double chin

Biostimulator.

The jowls, in fact, can be formed by excess fat or flaccid skin. If you have flaccid skin (the most common in cases of double chin due to aging), the biostimulator will make the region firmer and automatically retract, as if the skin “glued” back to the musculature.

If your jowls are due to fat, look into injectable fat reducers.

… Chicken feet

Botox or biostimulator.

While the botox will prevent the lines from deepening, the biostimulator will make the body produce more collagen in the region, leaving the skin firmer and smoothing the existing lines.

In this case, the biostimulator is applied to the temples (never near the eyes) and the patient is encouraged to massage the region to distribute the product (the indication for post-application massage, in fact, is for any region of the face, for 5 days, 5 times a day).

… Chinese mustache

Biostimulator (but it depends).

For this region, the biostimulator will increase collagen and make the problem less visible. But he only mitigates the most superficial cases.

“In most cases, for this region, filling with hyaluronic acid offers better results”, says Mariana, who also applies AC at Botocenter.

THE BEST TREATMENT

Fortunately, you don’t have to choose between a biostimulator or Botox. Both techniques can be used in combination, and in the hands of a skilled practitioner, you can reap the benefits of using the best method or methods for your specific needs.

In my treatment with Dr. Mariana at Botocenter, we use Botox in the upper third, smoothing dynamic wrinkles that are almost becoming static — the sooner you start this treatment, the more effective these wrinkles are smoothed.

As for the biostimulator, it was applied to the cheeks and temples to prevent my skin from sagging over time, as I am now 32 years old.

The application is super easy — in the case of the biostimulator, which uses a cannula, local anesthesia is applied so you don’t feel pain — and I can already see the result of the botox (which takes 3 to 10 days to act). Now, as for the collagen biostimulator, the result will come in 3 months but, because it is more a prevention than a treatment, in my case, I believe that it does not make such a visible difference, but prevention is always much better than medicine.