Many patients often get confused about the difference between botulinum toxin (usually called Botox) and dermal fillers.  They can ask for one and mean the other!  So what is the real difference?  How can you explain this to patients?

Its simple really.  Botulinum toxin relaxes muscles.  Dermal fillers “fill in” wrinkles.  Toxin is active: filler is passive.  You can relax the muscles with toxin but often wrinkles remain behind.  Filler can help get rid of those wrinkles.  You can fill wrinkles but you can still “frown”.

So the two products complement each other.  You can use each of them on their own but the best results for the patient are usually when the two types are used together.

Both are natural products.  They come from natural sources.  They are not synthetic.

Try and explain this carefully and simply to patients so that they are not confused.  Try not to use brand names….this can only confuse patients even more.