Botox® vs. Fillers: Which Treatment Is Right for Me?

Each year, millions of Americans receive aesthetic injections such as Botox® and dermal fillers to improve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. While both treatments can help make your skin look healthier and younger, they work in distinctly different ways.

Certified family nurse practitioner, Kathleen Logan, FNP-C, offers both types of injections to adults at Broderick Healthcare, but if you’ve never had them before, chances are you have some questions. This post breaks down the differences between Botox and fillers and provides insights to help you determine which one is right for you.

Botox: Best for dynamic wrinkles

Botox is a neuromodulator made from botulinum toxin. When injected into specific facial muscles, such as those in your forehead or between your eyebrows, it blocks nerve signals from reaching the muscles in your face. 

This causes those muscles to relax temporarily, smoothing out dynamic wrinkles that are caused by repeated facial expressions, such as frowning, squinting, and smiling.

Botox works quickly, typically providing smoother skin within three or four days. These results usually last four months on average, and you can extend them with regular maintenance. If you have forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, bunny lines (wrinkles across or beside your nose), or chin dimples, Botox can help smooth your skin without altering your facial volume.

Fillers: Best for volume loss and deep wrinkles

Dermal fillers are injectables that work in a different way. They contain gel-like substances, such as hyaluronic acid (HA) and poly-L-lactic acid. Instead of affecting muscle movements, dermal fillers “fill in” certain areas where you’ve lost collagen and elastin, two proteins that make your skin look plump and youthful. 

Consider fillers if you have:

• Smile lines
• Marionette lines
• Sunken cheeks
• Thin lips

Fillers often provide immediate results and can last anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the product and formulation. By restoring lost facial volume, fillers can leave you looking and feeling younger and more refreshed.

How to decide which type of injectable is right for you

The best way to determine which cosmetic injectable is right for you is to look in the mirror and answer two questions:

1. Are your wrinkles only visible when you move your face, like when you smile, frown, or squint?
2. Do you notice wrinkles when your face is at rest, or signs of volume loss, such as sunken cheeks or thinner lips?

If your wrinkles are only noticeable during certain facial movements, Botox is probably your best bet. But if you have deep wrinkles and a loss in facial volume, fillers may be a better choice.

If you experience both types of concerns, a combination of Botox and fillers — sometimes called a “liquid facelift” — could be the perfect solution. They’re safe to use together when injected by an experienced provider.

Because everyone’s facial symmetry and skin are different, we recommend scheduling a consultation with Kathleen. After discussing your concerns and treatment goals, she can complete an exam and develop a custom treatment plan.

Request a Botox and filler consultation today

Aesthetic injectables like Botox and fillers provide a safe, effective, and convenient way to make your skin look younger and more vibrant. To learn whether injectables are right for you, request an appointment online today or call our office in North Reading, Massachusetts, at 617-905-1978.