Choosing between neuromodulators like Botox and volumizing dermal fillers can be confusing at first glance. Both are injectable treatments performed in the office, yet they differ in active ingredient, mechanism of action, treatment goals, and longevity. Below, we break down where each option excels, who tends to benefit the most, and how to make an informed decision about your choice of treatment.
What Is Botox?
Botox Cosmetic is a purified form of botulinum toxin type A, a purified neurotoxin that temporarily relaxes targeted facial muscles. Botox was first cleared by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 for frown lines between the brows and now also treats crow’s feet and forehead lines.
Botox blocks the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, keeping the muscle from contracting and preventing the skin from folding into expression lines. Effects start in 3-5 days, peak at two weeks, and typically last 3–4 months, though some patients maintain results up to five months, depending on dose, anatomy, and product brand.
Who benefits the most?
This treatment is most beneficial for patients concerned with dynamic wrinkles, such as forehead lines, glabellar lines (the ’11s’), and crow’s feet, which result from repetitive facial expressions rather than volume loss.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are soft injectable gels, often made of hyaluronic acid (HA), a sugar your body already produces, that add volume under the skin. They can plump lips, fill under-eye hollows, lift sagging cheeks, and soften deeper folds that are visible even when your face is at rest. HA fillers are biocompatible sugars that bind water, creating immediate lift that the body gradually metabolizes over 6–18 months.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are the gold standard due to their reversibility (with hyaluronidase for overcorrection), minimal allergy risk (since HA naturally occurs in the body), and an extensively documented safety profile with high patient satisfaction in clinical studies.
Who benefits the most?
This treatment is ideally suited for individuals seeking correction of static folds (visible at rest), enhanced cheek projection, refined lip contours, improved chin or jawline definition, or hand rejuvenation.
Botox vs. Fillers at a Glance
This quick comparison highlights why the two injectables complement each other rather than compete:
| Feature | Botox | Fillers |
| Primary Action | Temporarily relaxes targeted facial muscles | Replenishes or enhances soft-tissue volume |
| Best Suited For | Dynamic expression lines (frown, forehead, crow’s-feet) | Static folds or contour deficits (cheeks, lips, nasolabial folds, under-eyes, jawline) |
| Visible Results | 3–5 days post-treatment | Immediate lift and smoothing |
| Typical Longevity | Roughly 3–4 months before maintenance | About 6–18 months, depending on the product and treatment area |
| Reversibility | Naturally wears off as the body metabolizes it | HA fillers can be dissolved with hyaluronidase if adjustment is needed |
Safety & Side Effects
Both botox and hyaluronic acid fillers are FDA-approved and generally safe when injected by a qualified medical professional. Most people experience only brief redness or bruising; Botox may rarely cause transient eyelid droop, while fillers carry a very small risk of vascular occlusion that can be reversed immediately with hyaluronidase. Botox naturally wears off in 3–4 months, and HA fillers can be dissolved on demand, adding an extra safety margin. Pregnant, breastfeeding, or actively infected patients should postpone treatment.
Cost & Value Considerations
Botox is priced per unit, and an average full upper-face treatment uses approximately 45–60 units, which need to be repeated every three years. Dermal fillers are sold per syringe, with areas like the cheeks often requiring 2–3 syringes and the lips one. Because most fillers last 6–18 months, you’ll likely need one major session, plus an optional touch-up, annually. When you tally yearly maintenance, overall cost tends to balance out, and many practices offer bundle pricing or membership plans that lower per-treatment fees when you combine both injectables in the same visit.
Can You Combine Botox and Fillers?
Botox and dermal fillers work on different aspects of facial aging, so using them together can give a more balanced, natural result in one visit. Your injector typically relaxes dynamic wrinkles with Botox first, then adds filler to lift hollows or refine contours once the muscles have softened. This layered approach lets smaller doses of each product achieve a smoother, better-supported appearance and can stretch the time between touch-ups. When performed by an experienced, medically trained provider, combination therapy is safe and often more cost- and time-efficient than treating each concern separately.
Ready to Refresh Your Look?
At PRP in Raleigh, our experienced cosmetic injectors customize every treatment plan—whether it’s Botox, dermal fillers, or a balanced combination—to your specific goals and facial anatomy. Schedule a complimentary consultation today to discover how subtle, expertly placed injectables can help restore your confidence without the need for surgery. Call (919)-929-6006 or request your appointment online.
FAQs
Is it better to get Botox or fillers?
It depends on your concern: choose Botox to relax expression-related wrinkles (forehead lines, crow’s-feet) and fillers to restore or add volume in areas like cheeks, lips, or under-eyes.
Which is more expensive, fillers or Botox?
Fillers generally cost more per treatment because each syringe is priced higher than a comparable number of Botox units, but the longer lifespan of fillers (6–18 months vs. 3–4 months) can make annual costs similar.
Should I get face Botox or fillers?
An in-person assessment is best, but a quick rule of thumb is Botox for lines that appear when you move and fillers for contours or folds you see even at rest; many patients benefit from a combination.
Which is more risky, Botox or fillers?
Both are low-risk when performed by a qualified injector. Botox’s main uncommon issue is temporary eyelid droop, while fillers carry a rare risk of vascular occlusion that can be reversed immediately with hyaluronidase.