Botox vs. fillers: understanding the difference

If you're considering a treatment to soften the signs of aging, Botox and fillers are usually the first two names you'll hear. They're not interchangeable, and knowing the difference makes the consultation far more productive.

What Botox does

Botox is a neuromodulator that temporarily relaxes the muscles responsible for movement-related lines, crow's feet, frown lines and forehead wrinkles, by blocking the nerve signals that cause those muscles to contract.

Because it works on movement, it's best for lines that appear when you express. Treatment is quick, results appear over several days, and they typically last three to four months.

What fillers do

Dermal fillers add volume rather than relaxing muscle. They're used to restore fullness in cheeks and mid-face, soften deeper static folds, define the chin and jawline, and enhance lips.

Results are visible immediately and generally last six to twelve months depending on product and placement.

Choosing, or combining

Ask yourself whether the concern is a line that appears when you move, or a hollow or fold that's there at rest. Many treatment plans use both, in modest amounts, because volume and movement contribute to the same tired appearance.

The goal we hear most often is looking rested rather than treated, and that comes down to conservative dosing and an experienced injector.

Injectables are performed by our medical provider at Push Med, 700 Garlington Road, Suite E, Greenville, SC 29615. Call 864-520-8799 or book a consultation.

This article is educational and is not medical advice or a diagnosis.