Curiosity is a good thing, especially when you’re thinking about something that will effect your appearance. Always at Radiance Medspa we want you to be as comfortable about any treatment as possible. The best way to ensure this, is for the information about the treatments we provide to be clear. This post from WomensHealthMag.com goes over a few key points on BOTOX and other face fillers. 
You’ve probably caught enough Real Housewives
episodes to know a little about what are medically known as dermal
fillers: Your dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon injects one of these
substances directly into your crow’s feet, smile lines, or other
euphemistically named facial creases. Almost immediately, wrinkles are
smoothed over, forehead creases vanish, and cheeks get a boost in
volume. There’s a lot more to them than this, though, so if you’re
curious (yet not quite ready to bite the bullet and schedule an
informational visit with a doctor), get schooled with our cheat sheet
below.
There Are Two Basic Types
Facial fillers generally fall into two categories: natural and
synthetic. Natural fillers include products made with hyaluronic acid, a
substance the body produces to plump up facial skin and lips. Brand
names include Restylane, Perlane, and Juvederm, says New York City
dermatologist Albert Lefkovits, M.D. Collagen is also natural; it’s made
from purified cow skin (and sometimes human skin). And your own fat,
harvested from another body part, can be injected into your face to get
rid of lines and add contour.
On the synthetic side are popular fillers like Sculptra and
Radiesse. All are FDA-approved and considered safe and effective, and
your derm can fill you in (ha) on which is best for you based on the
facial area you want to target.
Botox Is a Little Different
Made with the botulism toxin, botox isn’t actually a facial filler—it’s
more like a facial freezer. This substance smoothes out skin by
temporarily immobilizing muscles so wrinkles and creases can’t form,
says Lefkovits. Though typically used to fill out broad areas like the
forehead, Botox also has a rep as an effective treatment for actual
medical conditions, including excessive sweating, overactive bladder,
and even migraines, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The Effect Is Only Temporary
Most fillers are made from materials that are eventually reabsorbed by
the body, which is why they’re billed as temporary and don’t last
forever. So if you like the way they fill out and smooth over your face,
you’ll need to go back to your derm periodically for more
treatments—most fillers need touchups once or twice a year, says
Lefkovits.
They Do Come with Side Effects
Remember, getting a facial filler means having a substance injected into
your body. Though side effects aren’t crazy common, they still
happen—the most typical being bruising or bleeding under the skin at the
site of injection, says Lefkovits. “Taking vitamin E or aspirin for a
few days before you get the injection can reduce the odds of bleeding or
bruising,” he says. Allergic reactions are also possible, as is
localized infection or a rash at the injection site, reports the FDA. It
adds that most side effects happen soon after injection and clear up
within a few weeks.
Fillers Can Be Pricey (and Out of Pocket)
As you may have guessed, facial fillers don’t exactly fall into the category of medical care the Affordable Care Act
mandates that insurance companies cover. That means you typically have
to pay out of pocket, and when you factor in your derm’s office visit
fee, costs can add up. Treatment with Restalyne, Perlane, and other
hyaluronic acid injections can run about $600; other synthetic fillers
can hover at about a grand, with an injection of your own harvested fat
topping out at about $1,600, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.