What are the differences between botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid injections?
There are a number of techniques available in aesthetic medicine to treat wrinkles. The most widely known are hyaluronic acid injections and botulinum toxin injections, with the latter usually referred to as Botox. However, these injections can be a source of confusion for anyone thinking about getting them.
If that sounds like you, then definitely read on! Our experts will explain everything you need to know about these medical techniques.
The key facts about botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid injections
The main differences between botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid lie in the way they work.
Botulinum toxin affects muscles, whereas hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in the skin.
Botulinum toxin injections are primarily applied to the upper part of the face, while hyaluronic acid tends to be used on the lower part.
Laboratoires FILORGA has developed cosmetic treatments that draw inspiration from both botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid injections.
What do botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid do?
Before going any further, it's worth being fully aware that botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid are two very different things. As each of these molecules has very particular properties, they don't have the same modes of action or the same effects.
Botulinum toxin.
Originally a medical treatment
You see Botox written with a capital B because it's a registered trademark and not a generic name. Also, this trademark designates a product used exclusively for therapeutic, not cosmetic, purposes.
Its actual active ingredient is botulinum toxin, produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. This is the bacterium responsible for botulism, a foodborne illness resulting in muscular paralysis that is often caused by eating spoiled canned food.
By injecting small quantities of the toxin directly into the muscles, the procedure blocks muscle contraction or temporarily relaxes overactive muscles without disrupting their normal function.
In medical applications, botulinum toxin is used to treat neurological disorders involving abnormally increased muscle tone (hypertonia) or excessive or abnormal muscle contractions (dystonia). These disorders feature:
Bladder control problems.
Chronic migraines.
Spasms, including strabismus.
Excessive sweating.
Botulinum toxin in aesthetic medicine
The cosmetic application of this toxin was discovered by chance by American ophthalmologist Dr. Jean Carruthers in the 1980s. She observed diminished wrinkles around the eye of a patient undergoing treatment for blepharospasm, a condition involving spasms in the eyelid muscles.
Hyaluronic acid
A molecule found naturally in the skin
Discovered in 1934, this active ingredient belongs to the carbohydrate family and has become essential to cosmetic treatments over the years. Hyaluronic acid is naturally produced in the skin and is mainly found in the dermis.
It is a molecule capable of absorbing large amounts of water. It acts like a sponge within the skin, creating a moisture reservoir. It fills empty spaces and gives the skin a full, plump appearance. Its many qualities make it a precious ally in cosmetics.
Hyaluronic acid in aesthetic medicine
Hyaluronic acid injections can:
Reduce wrinkles and smooth the skin.
Reduce dark circles.
Restore facial contours.
Restore volume to the cheekbones and lips.
Hyaluronic acid in other medical fields
The many benefits of hyaluronic acid mean its use isn't limited to facial rejuvenation. It has applications in other fields, such as:
Rheumatology, where it's used to treat osteoarthritis.
Ophthalmology, where its applications include improving eye lubrication, replacing vitreous fluid in the eye during cataract surgery, and protecting and moisturizing the cornea during laser surgery.
Reconstructive surgery, where it's used to fill scars and improve the appearance of stretch marks and skin texture after burns or injuries.
In aesthetic medicine, which areas does each molecule target?
As we've seen, botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid are two distinct products with different modes of action and effects. This is why they're neither used on the same parts of the facenor to treat the same signs of skin aging.
The areas treated with botulinum toxin
Botulinum toxin is used to treat expression lines on the upper third of the face:
Horizontal forehead wrinkles.
Frown lines between the eyebrows (also called glabellar lines).
Crow's feet.
These are the result of the repeated contractions of muscles attached to these areas, which, combined with skin aging, end up creating distinctive, long-lasting ridges.
One injection is enough to see results that can last up to 6 months (allow 2 to 5 days for the toxin to take full effect).
The administering doctor has several options depending on the desired effect:
For expression lines: Baby Botox (also known as MicroTox) is an intramuscular injection with a low concentration of active ingredients and is used to prevent wrinkle formation. This technique is particularly useful for people in their 30s and can also be applied before summer to prevent facial contractions due to bright sunlight. Its lower concentration in the toxin also ensures a very natural effect, as the muscles don't become stiff.
- To
combat excess sebum
, perspiration, and dilated pores: Microbotox, or Mesobotox, is a mesotherapy treatment that inhibits hair follicle muscles and sebaceous and sweat gland receptors. To improve skin quality: Hyalutox, a combination of botulinum toxin and non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid, acts on rosacea, excess sebum, acne scars, and more.
The areas treated with hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is excellent for filling deep wrinkles or restoring volume, especially on the lower parts of the face, which is why these injections are called dermal “fillers.”
The technique involves an intradermal injection of crosslinked hyaluronic acid (i.e., the molecules of the hyaluronic acid are linked together). The greater the degree of crosslinking, the greater the volume-boosting effects of the hyaluronic acid.
Using this treatment, the doctor can:
Fill structural dark circles and nasolabial folds (the creases that extend from next to the nose towards the corner of the mouth).
Increase the volume of the lips and cheekbones.
Restore definition to the chin, nose, and facial contours.
A single session is all it takes to achieve perfect results within a week — results that last a full year.
Beware of fake products!
An unfortunate and growing trend is for less scrupulous individuals to masquerade as aesthetic doctors, despite having neither the qualifications nor the skills. They're known as “fake injectors.”
They often inject dubious, even toxic, products and have no knowledge of anatomy. This is by no means a harmless practice, as an excessive quantity of toxin can lead to a loss of muscle tone, and low-quality hyaluronic acid injected incorrectly can cause inflammation or granulomas (small lumps of pus under the skin).
TIME-FILLER: FILORGA's injection-free solution to smoothing wrinkles
Laboratoires FILORGA has drawn inspiration from aesthetic medicine for over 40 years. This core philosophy is evident in our products, which emulate the effects of techniques employed in clinics. In order to treat facial wrinkles and, more specifically, expression lines, our experts have developed two products that are held in high regard by our customers.
The TIME-FILLER 5XP Creams
Available in two distinct textures — a cream for normal to dry skin or a cream-gel for combination to oily skin — TIME-FILLER 5XP takes its inspiration from 5 different techniques in aesthetic medicine (including the two featured in this article) to diminish and soften 5 different types of wrinkles.
Expression lines. The TIME-FILLER 5XP formula contains a peptide inspired by botulinum toxin injections. This ingredient relaxes facial features without at all compromising facial expressions.
Deep wrinkles. To fill deep wrinkles, TIME-FILLER 5XP features collagen-boosting peptides in combination with encapsulated hyaluronic acid inspired by filler injections.
Superficial wrinkles. With the resurfacing properties of sea fennel, a touch inspired by facial peels, TIME-FILLER 5XP smooths superficial wrinkles without being harsh on the skin.
Dehydration lines. FILORGA's signature complex, NCEF, is combined with a powerful plant extract inspired by aesthetic injections in order to lock in moisture and provide a powerful plumping effect.
Neck wrinkles. Anigozanthos flavidus extract, inspired by tensor threads, provides restructuring benefits and helps to smooth out neck wrinkles.
TIME-FILLER SHOT 5XP
This facial serum has been carefully formulated to combat expression lines: forehead wrinkles, frown lines, crow's feet, and wrinkles on the upper lip and at the corners of the mouth.
TIME-FILLER SHOT 5XP contains a dermo-relaxing neuropeptide technology inspired by botulinum toxin injections. This reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles caused by repeated muscle contractions.
