BOTOX Injections vs. Facial Plastic Surgery: Which Is Better for Me?

If you’ve got facial lines and wrinkles you’d like to get rid of, you have two options to consider: facial plastic surgery or BOTOX injections. Both are effective in their own ways, but one may be better than the other.

Which one should you pick?

The Philadelphia, PA cosmetic surgeons at Jefferson Plastic Surgery would like to compare and contrast these treatment options. This should help you get some perspective on how surgery or injectables could benefit you.

About Facial Plastic Surgery

Facial plastic surgery refers to a broad range of procedures that are designed to tighten the skin of the face. This means less sagging, fewer wrinkles, and a rejuvenated appearance. The most common anti-aging surgeries people think of when they hear the term “facial plastic surgery” are as follows:

• Facelift - The traditional facelift targets the middle portion of the face, particularly the area around the cheekbones and cheeks.
• Brow Lift - The brow lift helps get rid of furrows and frown lines located on the forehead.
• Lower Face Lift - The lower face lift targets the lower cheeks, jawline, and jowls. It’s sometimes combined with neck lift surgery.
• Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery - Also known as an eye lift and blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery targets the upper and lower eyelids to freshen the appearance of the face.

The Pros and Cons of Facial Plastic Surgery

The primary advantage of facial plastic surgery is that it provides long-lasting rejuvenation results. Scars are well hidden, and patients who undergo these surgeries are typically quite satisfied with the outcomes.

The primary disadvantage of facial plastic surgery is that it can be expensive compared to non-surgical skin care procedures. There is also a risk of serious surgical side effects, post-op complications, and poor cosmetic results.

About BOTOX Injections

BOTOX injections are the most popular cosmetic procedure performed in America today. BOTOX is a refined botulinum toxin product that freezes muscle contractions in the injection sites. This smooths away the appearance of dynamic wrinkles, which are wrinkles caused by making certain facial expressions.

BOTOX Cosmetic is ideal for frown lines of the forehead, worry lines around the top of the nose and base of the brow, and crow’s feet. BOTOX injections can also help with facial lines around the mouth in many instances.

The Pros and Cons of BOTOX Injections

The primary advantages of BOTOX injections are that they are more affordable than surgical procedures and they require no time off work to recover. The non-surgical and practically pain-free procedure can be performed in just a half hour, and BOTOX patients can resume most of their usual daily activities immediately after the brief treatment session.

The main disadvantage of BOTOX Cosmetic is that the results only last for several months. After that time has passed, additional BOTOX injections will be required to repeat the results of the initial treatment. BOTOX injections are also ineffective in treating static wrinkles, which are lines and creases visible when the face is at rest.

The Rising Popularity of Prejuvenation Treatments

Earlier this year, we posted about the rising popularity of prejuvenation treatments to prevent premature aging. BOTOX injections are one of the key procedures in this movement toward prejuvenation. Many younger patients have been getting what amounts to preventative BOTOX injections in order to avoid early wrinkles.

Which of These Options Is Right for Me?

The right procedure for you depends on your cosmetic goals and your age.

• If you are younger and would like to experience the benefits of non-surgical prejuvenation, BOTOX injections may be the ideal option for you.
• Patients in their late 40s and older may want to consider facial plastic surgery instead since the results are more permanent.

We can discuss the benefits and risks of facial plastic surgery and BOTOX cosmetic with you in greater detail during an in-office consultation. Our goal is to help you make the right decision based on your needs.

Learn More About Facial Rejuvenation

If you would like to learn more about enhancing your appearance and fighting signs of age, be sure to contact our team of experienced cosmetic surgeons. The entire team at Jefferson Plastic Surgery looks forward to hearing from you.