The short answer
Botox is best for lines that appear when you move. Fillers are best for volume that has been lost over time. Many patients benefit from a little of both — but never more than they need.
How Botox works
Botox is a purified protein that temporarily blocks the signal between nerve and muscle. When the muscle relaxes, the line it creates on the skin above softens. It works best on dynamic lines — the ones that appear when you frown, squint or raise your brows.
Results appear within three to five days, peak at two weeks and gradually fade over three to four months as the muscle regains movement.
If a line is there when your face is at rest, Botox alone won’t erase it. That’s usually where filler — or resurfacing — comes in.
How fillers work
Dermal fillers are made of hyaluronic acid, a sugar your skin already produces. Placed beneath the skin, they restore lost volume in the cheeks, soften deep folds and define the lips. Results are immediate and last six to eighteen months depending on the area.
Which is right for you?
If your lines appear mostly when you move, start with Botox. If they’re there at rest, or your face looks more tired than lined, filler or a resurfacing treatment is usually the better route. Many patients benefit from a small amount of both — but never more than they need.
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