By Dr. TRACY MOUNTFORD, MBBS MBCAM
BOTOX and Dermal Fillers: Similarities, Differences, and more…
Injectable cosmetic treatments, particularly BOTOX® and dermal fillers, have seen increasing popularity in recent years thanks to their ability to refresh and enhance areas of the face without the need for surgery. However, there is often confusion around how BOTOX® and dermal fillers work and which concerns they’re designed to treat.
On this page we highlight the main differences and similarities between the treatments and explore where on the face each of them tends to be most effective.
What is BOTOX®?
BOTOX – the most popular brand of botulinum toxin – is a natural, purified protein that relaxes facial muscles, thereby reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles that excessive facial movements cause over time. It can also be prescribed as a treatment for certain medical conditions, including chronic migraines and hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). BOTOX® is a non-permanent treatment administered by injection.
What are dermal fillers?
As the name suggests, dermal fillers are designed to ‘fill’ deep-set lines and wrinkles or hollow areas of the face that can develop with age, thus giving the appearance of smoother, more youthful skin. They are also popular for adding volume to the lips. Dermal fillers, such as Juvéderm and Restylane, are made from hyaluronic acid, a natural component of the skin that has a plumping, softening and hydrating effect. The treatment is non-permanent and administered by injection.
What are the main differences?
- BOTOX® relaxes the muscles to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, while dermal fillers add volume to deep-set lines and wrinkles, hollow areas of the face or, popularly, to the lips.
- BOTOX® is considered most effective for treating forehead wrinkles, frown lines and crow’s feet; dermal fillers are often recommended to add volume to hollow cheeks, tear troughs and lips.
- While BOTOX® treatment usually lasts between 3 and 4 months, the effects of dermal fillers tend to last for up to 12 months.
To see the results that BOTOX® can achieve, view our before and after gallery here, and take a look at our dermal fillers gallery here.
What are the main similarities?
- Both BOTOX® and dermal fillers are injectable, non-surgical and non-permanent treatments.
- Both procedures take, on average, around 30 minutes and involve little, if any, downtime.
- Both treatments are designed to give a fresh, natural and youthful appearance to the skin.
Can you have BOTOX® and dermal fillers together?
Yes, it is possible to have a combination of BOTOX® and dermal filler treatments — in fact, in some cases it is the recommended solution. For example, if your concern was both crow’s feet and hollow under-eye ‘bags’, your practitioner might recommend balancing a small amount of BOTOX® to treat the crow’s feet with a dermal filler to add volume to the tear trough under the eyes. This possibility would be discussed during your consultation.
Watch Dr Joanna Christou talk about combining Botox and fillers
Which is better – BOTOX® or dermal fillers?
It is difficult to make a like-for-like comparison between BOTOX® and dermal fillers, since they are very different treatments that serve different purposes. Some practitioners say that BOTOX® is generally most effective in the upper third of the face (for example, crow’s feet and frown lines) and dermal fillers to lift, support and restore volume to the lower face (for example, nasolabial folds and lips). However, these are generalisations and the recommended course of treatment would depend on your unique anatomy and facial concerns.
BOTOX® and Dermal Fillers Comparison table
The table below summarises the main features of BOTOX® and dermal fillers, providing a quick comparison guide for your reference.
BOTOX | Dermal Fillers | |
|---|---|---|
| Common areas of treatment | Forehead wrinkles, frown lines, crow’s feet, puckered chin, neck and jaw line | Hollow cheeks, nasolabial folds, lips, beneath the eyes |
| Typical duration of treatment | 20–30 minutes | 30–40 minutes |
| Length of time treatment lasts | 3–4 months | 6–12 months |
| Age range of typical patient | 27–65 years | Lips: 20–65 years Other areas: 30–65 years |
| Possible side effects | Bruising at injection site Slight swelling Headache | Bruising Numbness Slight swelling |
| Type of wrinkle treated | Wrinkles that appear as a result of muscles tensing | Deep-set wrinkles and creases that are present regardless of facial expression |
| Typical goal of treatment | To smooth fine lines brought on by ageing | To fill out deep lines, sculpt cheek and jaw lines, plump lips and hollowed out areas |
| Prices from | £250 | £550 |
Book a BOTOX® and Dermal Fillers consultation
To learn more about our fillers and anti wrinkle injections treatments in London and Bucks, please get in touch with our expert Botox practitioners.
Find our BOTOX® and Dermal Fillers Clinics in London and Bucks
The Cosmetic Skin Clinic in London is within short walking distance of Oxford Circus, Bond Street and Baker Street tube stations. It is also convenient to reach us via train from the Paddington and Kings Cross St Pancras Train Stations.
The Cosmetic Skin Clinic in Buckinghamshire is located in Stoke Poges and it is close to Gerrards Cross, Beaconsfield, Marlow, and surrounding areas of Bucks. It also has convenient transport links with the M25, M4, M40 and A40 roads, making the clinic very easy to reach from Wembley, Richmond, Kingston upon Thames and the Surrey area.
For more details about our clinic’s locations and the best ways to reach us by train, bus, car or by foot, please take a look at our dedicated pages.
