Juvéderm or Botox for Wrinkles: Differences, Results, and Costs

About:

• Juvéderm and Botox are used to treat wrinkles.
• Juvéderm is made of hyaluronic acid (HA), which plumps up the skin. Botox injections temporarily relax facial muscles.

Safety:

• Both treatments can cause temporary pain and discomfort.
• Serious, but rare Juvéderm risks include loss of blood, scarring, and allergic reactions.
• Botox may cause headaches and droopy skin. More serious, but rare complications include paralysis and toxicity.

Convenience:

• Juvéderm and Botox are relatively quick treatments, taking just minutes to complete. Larger areas of skin can take longer based on the number of injections needed.
• While convenient, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t skip out on a licensed medical doctor to perform these treatments — make sure you see a dermatologist or surgeon for your injections.

Cost:

• Juvéderm is slightly more expensive, with an average cost of $600 per injection.
• Botox is charged less per unit, but you need multiple units (sometimes 20 or more) depending on the area of treatment. This can cost an average of $550 total.

Efficacy:

• While both treatments are considered effective, Juvéderm works quicker and lasts longer. Botox can take a few days to take effect and the results wear off after a few months.
  Overview

  When it comes to treating wrinkles, you may be familiar with brand names like Juvéderm and Botox. These are both noninvasive injectables that are given by a medical aesthetician or a dermatologist.

  While both treatments might have similar goals, these injections contain different active ingredients. They both also have differences in terms of cost, timeline, and results. There are even some risk factors to consider. Learn more about all these differences so you can make the most informed choice possible.
  Comparing Juvéderm and Botox

  Juvéderm and Botox are both offered by aesthetic dermatologists for the treatment of wrinkles. Both treatments have several differences to consider.

  Juvéderm

  Juvéderm is a noninvasive procedure, which means no surgery is required. Each solution contains a gel made from hyaluronic acid designed to “fill in” your wrinkles from underneath the skin. The volumizing solution comes in different formulas to treat different types of wrinkles in adults:

  • Juvéderm Ultra XC, for lips and mouth area, including “parentheses” lines
  • Juvéderm Volbella XC, for lip lines and adding volume to lips
  • Juvéderm Vollure XC, for “parentheses” lines outlining your nose and mouth
  • Juvéderm Voluma XC, for adding volume to the cheeks
  • Juvéderm XC, for “parentheses” lines, as well as other wrinkles around the nose and mouth

  All “XC” formulations contain lidocaine to ease pain and discomfort.

  Botox

  While Botox is also a noninvasive form of wrinkle treatment, it’s made from very different ingredients. A type of neurotoxin, Botox injections contain botulinum toxin A, which relaxes and stills muscles in your face. In turn, your skin appears smoother and wrinkles near the injection site become less noticeable.

  Botox is used to treat:

  • vertical lines between the eyebrows (known as “glabellar lines”)
  • wrinkles around the eyes (crow’s feet)
  • wrinkles on the forehead
  • eyelid twitching (blepharospasm)
  • crossed eyes (strabismus)
  • excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
  • muscle spasticity
  • migraines
  • incontinence
  How long does each procedure take?

  Juvéderm and Botox are relatively quick procedures with slight variations in timeframe. You’re more likely to see the results from Juvéderm injections faster.

  Juvéderm procedure duration

  According to the Juvéderm website, each procedure can take as little as 15 minutes or as long as 1 hour. This depends on how many injections you’re getting, as well as the area being treated. You might feel a slight prickly sensation with each injection, but these aren’t meant to be painful.

  Results of Juvéderm injections may be seen instantly, according to the manufacturer.

  Botox procedure duration

  Like Juvéderm, Botox injections are completed in just minutes. The wider the area of skin treated, the more injections you’ll need. For multiple injections, the treatment session will take a bit longer.

  It can take 24 to 48 hours to start seeing the results of Botox treatments for wrinkles.
  Comparing results

  Overall, Juvéderm results are seen quicker because of its gel formula. It may also last longer than Botox. Here are the key differences in results for both treatments.

  Juvéderm results

  The results of Juvéderm may be seen right away. While individual results can vary, the manufacturer claims that the effects of your injections can last one to two years at a time. The long-term results can also vary between formulas.

  One studyTrusted Source observed an overall high rate of satisfaction among adults who used Juvéderm. This included 65.6 percent satisfaction in those who used the product for areas around their face, as well as 71 percent for the eye area. Another studyTrusted Source found satisfactory results of Juvéderm lip treatments for up to one year.

  Botox results

  While Botox doesn’t take a lot of time each session, the results can fade faster than Juvéderm. The manufacturer claims the effects of Botox injections can last up to four months. You’ll need follow-up injections after this time.

• You will need follow-up treatments to maintain your results, no matter which treatment you choose.