Botox vs. Fillers: Uses, Effects & Differences

The popularity of dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections (i.e., Botox) has never been bigger. A big part of their collective appeal is they are both minimally invasive and provide relatively instant results, unlike surgical anti-ageing procedures. 

When it comes to quick fix anti-ageing treatments for a more youthful or enhanced appearance, Botox and fillers are very popular. But, there are differences between the two.

‍What's The Difference Between Botox And Fillers? 

The popular anti-wrinkle treatment Botox and dermal fillers are similar in that they are both cosmetic treatments delivered through injection that target concerns like frown lines on the forehead, crows feet, laugh lines, and thin lips. Let’s cover how they differ, so you can make an informed decision about which type of cosmetic injection you want. 

Anti-wrinkle injections using Botox contain a specially formulated botulinum toxin in small doses that weakens or paralyses (i.e., freezes) muscle tissue when injected into the skin. This temporary “freezing” helps to reduce and minimise the appearance of lines and wrinkles caused by repeated facial expressions like frowning for example.  

Injectable fillers typically contain ingredients (e.g., hyaluronic acid) that add fullness to areas that have thinned due to ageing. As we get older, thinning and loss of volume is commonly seen in the cheek area and around the mouth.

‍How Do Anti-Wrinkle Injections Work? 

Botox, for example, works by blocking nerve signals in the muscles where it is injected. The injection can feel a little painful sometimes, it depends where it is injected in the face or body, but it is a temporary pain that doesn’t last very long.

When nerve signals are interrupted by Botox, the targeted muscle will be temporarily paralyzed (i.e., frozen). These injections are safe when administered by a professional skincare expert; possible side effects may include brief pain, minimal swelling and/or slight bruising at the injection site. 

‍Anti-wrinkle injections are excellent at reducing muscle movement that emphasise your age or deep lines. When these targeted muscles are temporarily frozen, wrinkles and deep lines will look softer, and in some cases you might not even see them anymore. 

‍How Do Dermal Fillers Work?

‍Dermal fillers, specifically hyaluronic acid formulations, work to provide molecular structure to areas that lack volume and firmness through increased hydration. Hyaluronic acid is highly popular because it is a naturally occurring humectant that attracts and holds moisture, which helps to better skin tone and boost skin volume, working to rejuvenate treatment areas like the lips, cheeks and forehead.

Fillers are injected beneath the skin’s surface into the dermis (the middle layer of skin), and in the case of hyaluronic acid formulations, work like a magnet to attract and hold moisture in the skin. Just like with anti-wrinkle injections (e.g., Botox), filler injections are considered safe when done by a professional skincare expert; possible side effects may include brief pain, minimal swelling and/or slight bruising at the injection site. 

If you desire flawless, hydrated skin that is plump and smooth, then this is the ideal treatment to reach those goals. Dermal fillers deliver instant results to improve unwanted skin issues like: scarring, nose reshaping, frowny face (worry lines), thin lips, cheek jowls, and nasolabial folds (laugh lines) for example. 

‍How Long Do These Treatments Last? 

Anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers are not for life unfortunately. If you want to maintain the results achieved by Botox and hyaluronic acid treatments for example, then you will need to repeat the treatments at regular intervals. 

In the case of dermal fillers, depending on the type of injection used in your treatment and the treatment area, it is possible to have results lasting up to 2 years. Fillers do last a long time, but they are not permanent. You may need to repeat treatment anywhere from 3 to 12 months.   

When it comes to anti-wrinkle injections, like Botox for instance, results are not permanent. To maintain consistent results repeated treatments are necessary for continued wrinkle-reducing effects. On average this type of muscle-relaxing injection lasts from about 3 to 4 months.

‍Aftercare For Botox and Fillers

Post-treatment advice is pretty similar when it comes to fillers and Botox. In general, it is advised you avoid touching the treatment area (e.g., forehead, nose, lips) for about 6 hours after injection, to avoid transferring any germs or infection from your hands to the injection site.

If you have received injections to the facial area it is recommended to keep your head upright for about 6 hours post-treatment, and try to sleep that first night with your head elevated on pillows to avoid sleeping on your side or front. As well, hold off on any facial treatments and/or body massages for about a week or two, until the treatment area has settled. 

As a precaution, it is also advised you wait a week or two after your treatment before you undertake any strenuous exercise, for example inverted yoga poses like downward dog, as some exercise may increase bruising and/or swelling to the treatment area. Aftercare directions from your skincare provider will depend on the area treated and the type of injection used; follow the specific aftercare directions provided to you for the best results.  

‍Can Botox And Fillers Be Combined? 

Even though these two types of cosmetic treatment use different injection formulations and ingredients they can sometimes be combined in one treatment. It is recommended that you have both treatments at the same clinic so the injection provider can be sure there are no contradictions between the two types of injections, and they can be sure that no treatment areas overlap during injections. 

Here’s an example of how dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections can work together during a treatment. A client might want to minimise forehead lines and plump their lips at the same time; in this case Botox could be used to relax the forehead muscles and dermal filler injected into the lip area to provide more volume and enhance lip shape. Yes, it can be done!

If you would like to discuss how you can treat problem wrinkles and lines along with skin plumping, then we recommend you book an Este skincare consultation to determine the best and most effective course of treatments to reach your beauty goals.     

Other Treatment Options For Fillers And Botox

You might be surprised to hear that dermal fillers and Botox have other uses beyond lip plumbing and wrinkle relaxing. Both types of injections can be used to treat medical concerns like migraine and teeth grinding, as well as provide a non-surgical option to rhinoplasty (i.e., correct minor nose bump in under 30 mins!) for instance. 

Este’s Unparalleled Anti-Ageing & Beauty Enhancement Expertise 

At Este Medical in the UK, we have the most amazing skincare professionals, including the talented and respected Dr. Kiran. While you are booking your Este skincare consultation we recommend you take a look at Introducing Injectables with Dr Kiran.  

Anti-wrinkle injections using Botox and dermal filler procedures have a reliable and good track record of safety and success. At Este Medical we have performed thousands and thousands of these procedures for men and women. We invite you to check out the numerous 5-Star client reviews we have on Trustpilot about our skincare services and treatments.