The world of cosmetic injectables has expanded dramatically, offering more options than ever to address aging concerns without surgery. But with so many products available, how do you determine which injectable is best for your aesthetic needs? At AboutSkin Dermatology and Aesthetics, our Board-Certified Dermatologists help Denver patients navigate these choices every day, creating treatment plans that deliver natural-looking improvements.
Understanding the difference between neuromodulators and dermal fillers is the first step in making an informed decision about your treatment.
What Are Neuromodulators?
Smoothing Dynamic Wrinkles
Neuromodulators work by temporarily relaxing facial muscles responsible for creating expression lines. When you smile, frown or squint, your facial muscles contract repeatedly over the years, eventually creating visible creases in the overlying skin. These are known as dynamic wrinkles because they appear as a result of facial movement.
Neuromodulators contain botulinum toxin type A, a purified protein that blocks nerve signals to these muscles, preventing them from contracting with full intensity. The result? The lines soften or disappear while your face retains natural movement and expression.
Neuromodulators Can Treat:
- Forehead lines (horizontal lines that appear when you lift your eyebrows)
- Frown lines (vertical lines between the eyebrows, often called “11s”)
- Crow’s feet (lines radiating from the outer corners of your eyes)
- Bunny lines (wrinkles across the bridge of your nose)
- Lip lines (vertical lines around the mouth)
Results from neuromodulators typically appear within three to 10 days and last approximately three to four months. With consistent treatment, some patients find their results last longer as the muscles become trained to relax.
Neuromodulators Available at AboutSkin:
Botox® vs. Dysport® vs. Daxxify®
While all three neuromodulators function similarly, subtle differences exist in their formulations. Botox remains the most widely recognized brand and has the longest track record of neuromodulator safety and efficacy. Dysport has a slightly different molecular structure that may cause it to spread more than Botox, which can be beneficial for treating larger areas like the forehead. Daxxify is the newest FDA-approved neuromodulator and stands out for its extended duration. Clinical studies show results lasting up to six months or longer in many patients, approximately twice as long as those of traditional neuromodulators. This longer-lasting formula uses a peptide stabilization technology instead of human or animal byproducts.
Your Board-Certified Dermatologist at AboutSkin will recommend the most appropriate option based on the treatment area, your muscle strength, your response to previous treatments and how frequently you prefer to schedule maintenance appointments.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Restoring Volume and Contour
While neuromodulators address muscle movement, dermal fillers tackle a different aging concern: volume loss and static wrinkles. As we age, our faces naturally lose fat, bone density and collagen, creating hollow areas, deepening folds and causing skin to sag. Dermal fillers replace this lost volume, smooth static wrinkles (those visible when your face is at rest) and enhance facial contours.
Most modern fillers consist of hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance in your skin that attracts and holds moisture. Different HA fillers are engineered with varying particle sizes and cross-linking patterns, making some better suited for deep structural support while others excel at smoothing fine lines or adding subtle volume to lips.
Dermal Fillers Can Address:
- Nasolabial folds (lines from the nose to mouth corners)
- Marionette lines (lines from the mouth corners downward)
- Sunken or drooping cheek contours (restoring midface volume)
- Tear troughs (hollows under the eyes)
- Thin or undefined lips (adding volume and definition)
- A recessed chin (improving profile and proportion)
- Jawline contouring (creating definition and structure)
- Temple hollowing (filling sunken temples)
Filler results are immediate and typically last six months to two years, depending on the product used, treatment area and your individual metabolism.
Dermal Fillers Available at AboutSkin:
- Juvéderm® collection (HA fillers, including Voluma, Ultra and Ultra Plus)
- Restylane® family (HA fillers, including Lyft, Defyne, Contour, Kysse and Eyelight)
- RHA® collection (HA fillers, including RHA 2, RHA 3, RHA 4 and Redensity)
- Radiesse® (calcium hydroxylapatite)
- Sculptra® (poly-L-lactic acid collagen stimulator)
Comparing Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Filler Technologies
Juvéderm® Fillers
The Juvéderm collection uses Vycross technology, which creates smooth, cohesive gels that resist breaking down in the body.
- Voluma specifically targets deep facial volume loss in the cheeks and midface with results lasting up to two years.
- Ultra is a versatile filler that addresses moderate to severe wrinkles and folds while also enhancing lip volume.
- Ultra Plus has a thicker, more robust consistency designed for deeper facial wrinkles and more dramatic lip augmentation, providing substantial volume where needed most.
Restylane® Fillers
The Restylane family employs NASHA™ (Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid) technology for their firmer gel formulations and OBT™ (Optimal Balance Technology) for softer, more flexible formulations.
- Lyft provides robust structural support for cheeks and hands, creating lift in the midface.
- Defyne moves naturally with facial expressions while treating moderate to severe laugh lines and nasolabial folds.
- Contour is designed specifically for adding volume and definition to cheek contours.
- Kysse is specifically formulated for lip enhancement with a high concentration of hyaluronic acid for natural-looking fullness.
- Eyelight targets the under-eye area, addressing tear troughs and dark circles that contribute to a tired appearance.
RHA® Fillers
The RHA Collection is the newest advancement in filler technology, designed to further adapt to facial dynamics and movement. These fillers contain fewer chemical modifications than traditional HA fillers, allowing them to mimic the natural hyaluronic acid in your skin more closely.
- RHA 2 addresses moderate wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes and mouth with a flexible gel formula.
- RHA 3 has a thicker consistency suited for smoothing deeper wrinkles, enhancing lips and adding volume to cheeks, nasolabial folds and the jawline.
- RHA 4 is the most robust option in the series, specifically formulated to lift areas with significant volume loss like sunken cheeks and a drooping jawline.
- RHA Redensity targets delicate areas around the eyes and lips with a lighter formula that combines hyaluronic acid with antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals to improve skin texture and elasticity while adding subtle volume.
Biostimulatory Fillers: A Different Approach
Sculptra and Radiesse work differently from traditional HA fillers. Rather than simply adding volume, these biostimulatory products stimulate your body’s own collagen production over time. Sculptra contains poly-L-lactic acid particles that prompt gradual collagen regeneration, with results building over several months and lasting up to two years. Radiesse uses calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres suspended in a smooth gel carrier, providing immediate correction plus continued improvement as your skin produces new collagen.
Matching Injectables to Your Concerns
If you’re bothered by forehead lines, frown lines or crow’s feet that worsen when you make expressions, neuromodulators are your solution. If you notice deepening folds, hollow cheeks, thin lips or overall facial deflation, dermal fillers will address these concerns. Many patients benefit from combining both types of injectables, using neuromodulators to prevent dynamic wrinkles while fillers restore lost volume and smooth static lines.
Consider your tolerance for maintenance appointments when choosing treatments. Neuromodulators require visits every three to six months to maintain results. Most HA fillers need touch-ups every six to 18 months, depending on the product and area treated. Biostimulatory fillers offer longer-lasting results but require multiple initial treatment sessions.
The Consultation: Your Roadmap to Better Results
Your consultation with our Board-Certified Dermatologists at AboutSkin is where personalized treatment planning happens. During this appointment, your provider will analyze your facial anatomy, discuss your aesthetic concerns and explain which products will achieve your goals most effectively.
Bring photos of yourself from 10 or 15 years ago to help your Dermatologist understand how your face has changed over time. Be prepared to discuss any previous cosmetic treatments, allergies and medical conditions. Honesty about your expectations helps promote overall satisfaction with your results.
Your Dermatologist will explain the differences between products recommended for your treatment areas and why one might be preferable over another based on your specific anatomy and goals.
Ready to Discover Your Ideal Injectable?
Choosing the right injectable doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. At AboutSkin Dermatology and Aesthetics, our Board-Certified Dermatologists combine extensive experience with an artistic eye to recommend treatments that complement your natural features. Contact us at 303-756-7546 or schedule your consultation online to discuss which neuromodulators or dermal fillers can help you look refreshed, rested and like the best version of yourself.
