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

Juvéderm

Juvéderm is a minimally invasive 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

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. Most people see full results by two weeks afterwards.

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 study 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 study 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.

As with other medical procedures, candidates for either Juvéderm or Botox injections should ideally be in overall good health. These injections also aren’t appropriate for pregnant women or anyone under the age of 18.

Juvéderm candidates

Juvéderm is designed for adults. It’s not intended to resolve any underlying medical conditions. Additionally, you shouldn’t use Juvéderm if you’re allergic to hyaluronic acid or lidocaine.

Botox candidates

To be considered for Botox, you must be at least 18 years old and under the age of 65. You should avoid this treatment if you’ve had previous reactions to botulinum toxin from other injections, such as Dysport. You also may not qualify if you have certain skin disorders or thick patches of skin at the treatment site.

Despite some of the other differences between Juvéderm and Botox, the overall costs associated with each procedure may determine your ultimate decision. Keep in mind that the cost depends on:

• the area of skin being treated
• the number of injections you’ll need
• how often you’ll need to return for follow-up injections
• where you live

Neither Juvéderm nor Botox are covered by insurance for the use of wrinkle treatment. Therefore, it’s important to learn the exact costs of the proposed treatment ahead of time, and to work out a payment plan if needed. No time off work is necessary.

Juvéderm costs

Juvéderm tends to cost more than Botox and has longer-lasting effects. The total cost depends on the formula and area of skin being treated. One injection at DermaCare Medical in New York costs $649 per smile line treatment.

Botox costs

Overall, Botox injections are less expensive than Juvéderm. Part of the reason is that Botox doesn’t last as long. Also, Botox is charged per unit or injection. This means that if you need five injections in your forehead, for example, you would be charged for each of the five injections used.

The average cost of a Botox treatment in New York City is around $300 per session, depending on the location. Tracy Pfeifer Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in New York City charges an average total cost of $550.

Since both Juvéderm and Botox are noninvasive, these procedures don’t carry the risk of side effects that typical surgeries can. Still, the injections do carry some risks.

Juvéderm side effects

The active ingredient of Juvéderm (hyaluronic acid) is deemed safe overall for cosmetic use. But the acid may have some side effects. Some of the most common include:

• injection site pain
• swelling
• rash
• tenderness
• firmness
• lumps/bumps
• bruising
• discoloration
• itching

Rarely, more serious complications can occur with Juvéderm. Much of the risk involves different formulations of Juvéderm, particularly knockoff brands. Talk to your healthcare provider about the following risks:

• allergic reactions
• anaphylaxis
• skin discoloration
• numbness
• scarring
• infections
• loss of blood and death to the affected tissue (necrosis)

You’ll also want to talk to your doctor about any variations in risks and side effects based on the type of Juvéderm you’re using.

It’s crucial to choose a qualified doctor to administer your Juvéderm treatment. More serious side effects can occur due to unprofessional handling.

Botox side effects

According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, side effects from Botox are rare. Minor bruising and swelling is most common. Some more serious side effects can include:

• numbness
• weak muscles
• droopy eyelids
• headaches
• pain at the injection site
• facial asymmetry

Drug interactions are also possible, especially if you take medications for neuromuscular diseases.

The most severe complication is called botulinum toxicity. This occurs when the active ingredient in Botox travels from the site of the original injection to another area of the body. While rare, signs of possible toxicity may include the following:

• dizziness
• blurry vision
• nausea
• vomiting
• weak or numbness in your muscles
• paralysis

Choosing between Juvéderm and Botox for facial wrinkles ultimately depends on the results you’re looking for, the number of treatment sessions you’re willing to book, as well as your individual risk for side effects. Talk to your doctor about the following items below to learn more about which solution may work best for you.

The use of Juvéderm and Botox has become so prominent that some nonmedical facilities and spas have started offering them to their clients.

However, it’s important that you only receive treatment from a licensed medical doctor. The FDA has even reported the use of counterfeit injectables, which may increase your risk of complications.

If you’re interested in injectables for wrinkles, see your dermatologist first. If for some reason they aren’t qualified in either treatment, they can refer you to a reputable practitioner who can.