If you’ve ever looked into cosmetic treatments to reduce wrinkles or enhance facial features, you’ve likely come across two popular options: Botox and dermal fillers. While they’re often mentioned together, these treatments work in very different ways—and understanding the difference can help you choose the right one for your goals.
Botox: Relaxing Muscles to Soften Lines
What it is:
Botox is a brand name for a type of botulinum toxin—a purified protein that temporarily relaxes targeted muscles.
What it treats:
Botox is most commonly used to treat dynamic wrinkles, which are lines caused by facial expressions like frowning, squinting or smiling. These include:
• Forehead lines
• Frown lines (the “11s” between your eyebrows)
• Crow’s feet (lines around the eyes)
How it works:
Botox blocks the nerve signals that tell muscles to contract. When those muscles relax, the overlying skin looks smoother and less wrinkled.
How long it lasts:
Typically, results appear within 3–7 days and last 3–4 months.
Fillers: Restoring Volume and Contour
What they are:
Dermal fillers are gel-like substances—most commonly made from hyaluronic acid, a substance your body naturally produces—that are injected under the skin to add volume and smooth out lines.
What they treat:
Fillers are ideal for static wrinkles (lines that are present even when your face is at rest) and for enhancing volume or shape in areas like:
• Cheeks
• Lips
• Nasolabial folds (smile lines)
• Under-eye hollows
• Jawline or chin contouring
How they work:
Fillers plump up the skin from beneath, lifting and smoothing the treated area.
How long they last:
Depending on the product and area treated, fillers typically last 6 months to 2 years.
Which One Is Right for You?
It’s not always an either/or decision. In fact, many patients benefit from both Botox and fillers to achieve a more youthful, natural look. Botox smooths expression lines, while fillers restore lost volume.
The best choice depends on your facial anatomy, concerns, and aesthetic goals. During a consultation, we’ll discuss your options and create a plan tailored to you.
Both Botox and fillers are safe, minimally invasive treatments with proven results when performed by an experienced provider. If you’re curious about either option, let’s talk! An in-person evaluation is the best way to determine what will give you the results you’re looking for.
- Lori Fiessinger, MD, FAAD