What is the Difference Between Botox and Fillers?

Botox is a muscle paralysis agent that was approved for cosmetic uses in 2002. This is used to decrease facial motion and help eliminate fine lines and wrinkles. Fillers represent a wide spectrum of products that are used to enhance facial volume. These products can last from months to years, and some even beyond. Ultimately, it is important to review your options with a facial specialist.

Be healthy and be well,

James M. Ridgway, MD

Thank you for your question. Both fillers and botox help with smoothing out wrinkles. Botox, you inject to the muscle. Injecting botox in the muscle temporarily paralyzes the muscle, so wrinkles won't form. Fillers, you are injecting the product into an area where you want more volume, but  can also smooth out nasolabial folds, marionette lines, or corners of the mouth. hope this was helpful, best of luck!Dhaval M. Patel Double board certified Plastic surgeonHoffman Estates BarringtonOakbrook Chicago

Thank you for your question. Botox can be used to soften the appearance of lines and wrinkles that deepen with expression. These include the horizontal lines of the forehead, the frown lines between brows and the smile lines (crows feet) on the sides of the eyes. They typically last 3-4 months. Fillers on the other hand is very effective at filling in the lines or shadows when you are not expressing yourself. They can also be used to shape and lift the face. I would recommend that you visit with at board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist in your area to discuss your treatment options so they can be tailored to your concerns and goals.

Botox is for wrinkles that appear when you make facial expressions, while fillers are used for wrinkles that you can see all the time, even when your face is neutral. Botox works by relaxing the muscles that create the wrinkles in the overlying skin. Fillers are used to plump up your skin so that the wrinkles are smoothed away. Because they plump, they can also replace lost volume due to the aging process, like your cheeks and temples. Your lips can also be enhanced .It's difficult to determine which treatment would be best for you without a photo, however seeing a board certified PS or dermatologist can help you.

To make things simplistic, knowing there are always exceptions, Botox relaxes muscles under lines that are created by muscle movement such as the "11" in the glabellar forehead between the eyebrows, the upper forehead lines and the crows feet lines at the outer eyelid area.  Fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm Ultra  help raise up creases that are present at rest, such as the tear troughs, smile folds, marinonette lines and the horizontal labiomental crease between the lip and chin. Volumizers which tend to be thicker fillers such as Perlane, Juvederm UltraPlus and Radiesse and collagen stimulants such as Sculptra are used to plump up depressed cheeks, temples and prejowl sulci (the depression between the jowl and chin along the forward jaw).

Dermal Fillers are medicines injected into the skin to create volume or structure. At Star Cosmetic Medicine there are several different types of Dermal Filler used depending on the area being treated
Depending on the area and the desired outcome the Cosmetic Practitioner can recommend the best product for you which include: Restalyne, Juvederme, Perlane, Sub Q and Emervel among others for $550/ml. They usually last 6-9 months.
Botox is used to temporary smooth facial wrinkles and improve your appearance. At Star Cosmetic Medicine, Botox is charged at $12.50 per unit.
The forehead is roughly $100-$150, the crows feet roughly $200-$250 and the labella (frown/cranky) lines roughly $200-$250 depending on your muscle movement.
Price is one factor, but of course it should not be the determining variable. The practitioners at Star Cosmetic Medicine are all very experienced and mentor other doctors in some of the more complex procedures.

Facial fillers are also known as dermal fillers. Like Botox, it is also used to prevent or eliminate signs of aging in the face like wrinkles. This is where they often get confused. The primary difference between the two is that Botox reduces the activity of muscles in the face that cause wrinkles. This is used to decrease facial motion and help eliminate fine lines and wrinkles. Fillers represent a wide spectrum of products that are used to enhance facial volume.

Botox is a medication which relaxes facial muscles. Some wrinkles on the face such as those between the eyebrows are created by facial movements. As we move our faces, lines develop and become deeper over time. Botox can be injected into the muscles causing the wrinkles. The Botox relaxes the muscles which improves the wrinkles. Dermal facial fillers, on the other hand, are used to add volume to the skin. Some wrinkles on the face such as those from the nose to the corner of the mouth are caused by a loss of volume in the skin over time. Dermal facial fillers are injected into the skin to add volume and soften wrinkles and folds. Around the mouth, we can’t use too much Botox or we lose the ability to eat, kiss and smile so we usually use fillers there.

Botox can improve wrinkles that are caused by muscles that move.  This is most effective in the forehead, around the eyes, and in the area between your brows.  Fillers actually fill in the deeper wrinkles like those between your nose and mouth, and can plump your lips.  They are different, but complimentary products.

Botox and Fillers do different things but can be used in complementarty fashion. Botox is a muscle relaxer and fillers, as their name implies fill lines or can be used to add volume.