Do Botox and Dermal Fillers Work for African Americans?

The short answer is yes. First off, Botox and dermal fillers will work on any skin type.

That said, different aesthetic concerns may call for slightly different injectable formulations including Botox or dermal fillers.

But no matter your race or ethnicity, your shade of complexion typically doesn’t have a bearing on what kind of formulation to use.

Should I Get Botox or Filler?

Like with many questions involving cosmetic treatment (and medicine in general) the answer is that it depends. It depends on the specific patient’s face and what they want to do with it aesthetically.

For example, though both dermal filler and Botox are used to treat wrinkles, their mechanism of action is completely different.

Dermal fillers volumize parts of the face that have lost volume, while Botox or Dysport relaxes muscular contractions that create and exacerbate wrinkles.

When it comes to crow’s feet, for example, Botox is generally the way to go.

To the degree that different ethnicities may have different skin properties such as elasticity of the skin, certain facial features may be more or less common.

But treatments will typically not vary.

How Can Dermal Fillers Differ?

Fillers specifically can have a lot of variation in how they’re applied. The main difference between fillers is typically how much support versus flexibility a dermal filler provides, or the granularity of the particles used in the formulation.

Smaller particles tend to be used to volumize areas around the mouth, for example, while larger particles would be used to volumize the cheeks.

All in all, it takes a nuanced and finessed approach from the doctor that caters specifically to the patient’s face.

A patient may want larger, but more natural looking lips, and the specifics of how much filler is applied to the lips depends on already existing ratios.

In the end, there are no simple rules to follow. All patients, no matter their ethnicity, should have a detailed consultation with a doctor in which they can discuss both their desires and expectations.

Want to know more? Contact Cultura Dermatology & Laser Center today to schedule a consultation for Botox and dermal fillers.

Dr. Eliot Battle

CEO & Founder at Cultura Dermatology & Plastic Surgery

Dr. Eliot Battle, CEO of Cultura Dermatology, is a global leader in cosmetic dermatology and laser innovation. His Harvard research pioneered “color-blind” lasers, making treatments safe for all skin tones. A sought-after expert featured in TIME, Oprah, and The New York Times, he continues to advance inclusive, cutting-edge dermatological care.