Blog · · 2 min read
Botox vs. dermal fillers: what’s the difference?
Both are injectable and both soften signs of aging, but they work in very different ways. Here is how to tell which one you need.
Botox and dermal fillers are the two most requested treatments in aesthetic medicine, and they are often confused. Both are injectable and both soften signs of aging, but they work in completely different ways.
What Botox does
Botulinum toxin type A relaxes the specific muscles that create expression lines. It is used mainly for dynamic wrinkles: the lines that appear when you move your face, such as forehead lines, frown lines between the brows and crow’s feet.
- Results start to show in 3 to 5 days and are complete at about 2 weeks.
- The effect usually lasts 3 to 4 months.
- There is no downtime for most people.
What dermal fillers do
Hyaluronic acid fillers restore volume and structure. They are used to support the cheeks, define the jawline and chin, hydrate and shape the lips, or soften deep folds that are present even when your face is at rest.
- Results are visible right away and settle over 2 weeks.
- Depending on the product and area, they last from 6 to 18 months.
- Hyaluronic acid can be dissolved if a correction is ever needed.
Which one do you need?
Often the answer is a combination. Lines that only appear with movement usually respond to Botox; loss of volume and shadows respond to fillers. The right plan depends on your anatomy, your skin and your goals.
No one should notice you had something done, only that you look great.
At your medical evaluation the doctor assesses your face at rest and in movement and explains which option, or which combination, makes sense for you, with clear prices before anything is done.
