Do fillers give the same results as Botox?

There are many differences between fillers and Botox. Many times both are needed.

• Although there are exceptions, fillers are generally used in the mid face and the lower face; Botox is used in the upper face.
• Botox works by relaxing muscles; fillers work by replacing lost volume.
• Botox takes effect after about 2-3 days, peaks at about 2 weeks, and wears off after a few months. Fillers take effect immediately and can last from 3 months to over 18 months.

Some of the best results are obtained by combining Botox and fillers. Botox and Fillers can be used together in the frown line area and over the upper lip wrinkles. One of the most dramatic results can be obtained by doing a "Liquid Face Lift," which is a combination of Botox and fillers.

Try to think of Botox as a wrinkle relaxer and Fillers as volume replacers and you should be able to understand the difference.

Fillers and Botox can enhance the effect of the other, but they do not offer the same results.

If you have lines that do not go away when your facial muscles are relaxed, such as lines between the nose and lips (nasolabial fold), or you wish to add fullness, such as in the lips, cheeks, or under the eyes, then you will need a filler.

If you want to prevent muscles from contracting, which causes lines or wrinkles to become etched into this skin, then Botox is your best friend. Perfect examples of this are between the eyes and the "crow's feet" around the eyes.

Most people think Botox and fillers work the same way and can be used for all wrinkles.

Botox works on muscles controlling your expression and not on the skin itself. Relax the underlying muscles, smooth out the overlaying skin folds!

Fillers are injected into the skin itself and work by "filling" the skin defect, thus reducing wrinkle. Both have their own indications.

Like Dr. Caschette, I like to treat upper facial lines with Botox and lower facial lines with fillers. Of course, individual needs vary and can be best determined by an expert in both injectables at the time of your consultation.

Dr. Buford’s answer is great. People often confuse Botox with skin fillers like Restylane and Juvederm.

Here’s how I look at it: Botox stops lines in motion, like forehead “frown lines” and “crow’s feet” when we squint. Restylane and Juvederm fill lines or folds at rest. In general, I use Botox more on the upper face to treat lines in motion on the forehead, between the eyes, and on the sides of the eyes.

I use Restylane and Juvederm more for the lower face, especially for “smile lines”, “marionette lines” (from the corners of the mouth down), and to increase lip fullness. Of course, there are exceptions, and every patient is different. Make sure you consult with, and are treated by, a doctor with experience in these treatments.