Botox relaxes the muscles that crease the skin
Botox® is a neuromodulator, a purified form of botulinum toxin type A, injected in very small amounts to relax specific muscles. It treats dynamic lines: the ones that appear when you make an expression. The most common areas are forehead lines, the frown lines between the brows and crow's feet. Other neuromodulators such as Dysport® and Xeomin® work on the same principle.
- Results begin within a few days and are fully visible at about two weeks.
- They typically last three to four months.
- There is little downtime. Your provider will give you a short list of things to avoid for the rest of the day.
Filler restores volume
Dermal fillers, most often hyaluronic acid gels, add volume beneath the skin. They treat static lines and hollows: the ones that are there even when your face is at rest. Common areas are the folds from nose to mouth, lips, cheeks, under-eye hollows, chin and jawline.
- Results are visible straight away and settle over about two weeks as any swelling goes down.
- They typically last from six to eighteen months, depending on the product and the area.
- Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved with an enzyme (hyaluronidase) if needed.
A quick way to tell
Look in a mirror with your face relaxed, then make the expression that bothers you. If the line only appears when you move, a neuromodulator is usually the answer. If it is there at rest, or the concern is a hollow or loss of shape, that points toward filler. Lines that years of movement have etched in often need both, or a skin treatment such as microneedling.
| Botox | Filler | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Relaxes muscles | Adds volume |
| Best for | Forehead lines, frown lines, crow's feet | Lips, cheeks, folds, hollows, chin and jawline |
| Results show | Within 3–14 days | Immediately |
| Typically lasts | 3–4 months | 6–18 months |
Safety
Bruising, swelling and tenderness at the injection points are common and short-lived with both. With neuromodulators, a temporary droop of the eyelid or brow can happen if the product affects a nearby muscle. With filler, the rare but serious risk is filler blocking a blood vessel, which is why knowledge of facial anatomy and injector training matter, and why reversible hyaluronic acid products are the usual choice.
Tell your provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a neuromuscular condition, or take blood thinners or supplements that increase bruising.
Natural-looking results
The results people dislike usually come from too much product, not the wrong one. A good plan starts conservatively, reviews the result at two weeks and adjusts from there. It is easy to add a little more and much harder to take it back.
Talk it through with us
Every plan at Elite Medical Aesthetics starts with a consultation. Read more about Injectables, or use the form below and we will call you back.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Whether a treatment is right for you depends on your own health history and an evaluation with a licensed provider.