The Truth About Treating Wrinkles in Kelowna, BC

Botox and filler can both treat wrinkles, but in different ways. Here’s a full breakdown on how these two treatments work differently and why you may want to consider using them in tandem.

Wrinkles, a beautiful sign of wisdom and often the reminder that life often moves too quickly. As a Naturopathic Doctor and cosmetic injector, I believe we can age gracefully while still enjoying the benefits of two wrinkles solutions: botox and filler.

I offer both botox and dermal filler for wrinkles in Kelowna and Kamloops. BC across five locations. While I highly recommend booking in a complimentary consultation to determine if botox or filler (or both!) are better suited for your needs, this article will breakdown the difference between the two, how they work and which option might be best for your specific wrinkle concerns.

What are wrinkles really?

Wrinkles, medically known as rhytids, are the depressions that form on your skin’s surface as a result of the natural aging process. When we age, the dermis begins to thin due to slower elastin and collagen production. This leads to your skin being less efficient in healing and being able to retain moisture. Wrinkles can occur due to aging, sun exposure, smoking, repeated facial expressions, dehydration, poor nutrition, sleep position, pollution, genetic factors and most likely, due to a combination of multiple factors.

Treating Dynamic Wrinkles

Dynamic wrinkles are lines or creases that appear in the skin due to the movement of the muscles beneath it. They're also often referred to as expression lines, because they're associated with facial expressions. When we frown, smile, laugh, or squint, dynamic wrinkles may form. For example, the crow's feet (Lateral Canthal Lines) that appear around the eyes when we smile or squint, the lines that form between the eyebrows when we frown (the glabella), and the lines that appear on the forehead when we raise our eyebrows (frontalis muscle), are all types of dynamic wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles can turn into static wrinkles over time, but more on that a little later.

Neuromodulators, or botox as it is commonly referred to, works to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles by temporarily relaxing the muscles underneath your skin. The muscles are relaxed, the skin over top will be able to lie smoothly thus, softening the appearance of fine lines. This is especially effective for treating dynamic wrinkles, the lines that appear when you make facial expressions, such as frown lines and crow's feet.

“I didn’t think I would love it as much as I do” —One of my wonderful first-time botox patients during her 4-week, follow-up appointment.

There are several brands of neuromodulators that work the same, though each individual may respond slightly differently. Brands I trust and use for my patients are primarily Dysport and Xeomin. That being said, if you find you are immune to certain brands and would like to request a specific brand (such as Botox® Cosmetic), you can absolutely do so as long as it’s well in advance of your appointment with me.

As mentioned, the muscles are only temporarily relaxed with neuromodulators, and that is the same across all the different brands. Botox results typically take three to seven days to start seeing the effects, with full results evident after 14 days. On average, results last three to four months, with some individuals experiencing longer lasting results (this is based on how strong or weak the muscle is). While we don’t have access to DAXXIFY® in Canada yet (I’ll let you know as soon as we do!), its formula claims to have results lasting two to three times longer at six to nine months.

The side effects of botox may include temporary redness or bruising at the injection site, but this isn’t as common with botox as it is with filler.

Upon booking your appointment, I will provide pre and post instructions for what to expect and how to prepare for your botox treatment. Botox is a fantastic preventative solution to wrinkles that I recommend in small doses for individuals starting in their late 20s or early 30s. By preventing the muscle contraction, we can prevent the skin from creasing and the wrinkle from forming altogether.

We treated this patient’s dynamic wrinkles with Dysport.

Treating Static Wrinkles

So what about those deep wrinkles that have already formed? Is it too late to treat them? Not at all. Botox can still be effective in reducing the appearance of dynamic wrinkles and preventing wrinkles from becoming deeper, but for more established, static wrinkles, dermal fillers are the solution. Static wrinkles—the lines that are visible even when your face is relaxed—are most commonly found around the mouth and cheeks, and on the neck. That being said, anywhere you have dynamic wrinkles could be subject to becoming static wrinkles. Forehead creases that can be horizontal or vertical, Marionette lines and nasolabial folds are the most common areas for static wrinkles to establish first.

This patient came to me looking for a solution for her static, upper lip lines (commonly known as bar codes). We used one syringe of a really nice soft filler, Texozane RHA1.

Dermal fillers are injectable treatments that restore lost volume to your skin and smooth out wrinkles. The fillers I use are typically composed of hyaluronic acid (I trust and use Revanesse® and Teoxane fillers), a naturally occurring substance in our bodies that helps hydrate and add volume to our skin. Dermal fillers work by physically filling the spaces where your skin has lost volume with a formula that is accepted by your body’s natural processes, effectively smoothing out wrinkles from beneath.

Unlike botox, results from dermal fillers are immediate—though swelling is likely to occur so true results will take a day or two to fully settle. Fillers last anywhere from six months to over a year, depending on the type of filler used and your body's metabolism. Side effects are generally minimal, including temporary redness, swelling, or bruising at the injection site. As always, I will provide all this information to you during your consultation/appointment and again via email upon booking.

Should I get botox or filler for my wrinkles?

I am often asked by patients whether they “need” botox or fillers to treat their wrinkles. Let me first start by saying, you don’t need any cosmetic injections. However, if you opt for them, the decision on whether botox or fillers is more suitable for you should be discussed with a reputable cosmetic injector or doctor. The most effective solution for your wrinkles will largely depend on the type of wrinkles you want to address. If you're looking to smooth out static wrinkles that are present even when you're not making any facial expression, dermal fillers may be the way to go. If you're concerned about dynamic wrinkles that appear when you smile, frown, or squint, botox may be your best bet. And these treatments are not mutually exclusive! In many cases, I will use a combination of both botox and fillers to achieve the smooth results my patients desire.

Wrinkles Solutions in Kamloops and Kelowna, BC

The best way to determine the right solution to wrinkles for you, is to book in for a one-on-one consultation. Every individual requires a unique treatment plan which can only be determined once I actually see your concerns in person and dynamically. During your consultation with me, we will discuss your cosmetic goals, assess your facial anatomy, and formulate a personalized treatment plan that best suits your needs, which may include dermal filler, botox or a combination of the two.

Remember, when choosing the right cosmetic injector for you, take your time to do your research, ask questions and read reviews. I actually have an entire post on red flags to look out for in cosmetic injectors, which you can read here.

Along with my Naturopathic practice, I offer cosmetic injections in both Kelowna and Kamloops across five locations: Heather Polak Aesthetics Studio and Kelowna Laser Spa in Kelowna, BC and Smooth Effects Kamloops, Studio 201 Skincare & Spa and Beautiful U Kamloops in Kamloops, BC. Please feel free to book in your complimentary consultation at the location nearest you. In the meantime, if you have any questions you can contact me directly here.