Botox Vs. Fillers

You’ve probably heard about both Botox and Fillers as anti-aging treatments. But it can be confusing to understand why you would choose one treatment over the other. You may be looking to treat fine lines and wrinkles, facial asymmetry or you just feel like you’re starting to look “older” or “more tired”. It may be unclear whether Botox or Filler would be the right solution to correct these issues. Read on to better understand the differences between these two cosmetic injectables and which treatment (or combination of treatments) may be best for you.

What’s The Difference Between Botox and Fillers?

The difference between Botox and fillers is that Botox is used to relax facial muscles, lessening the appearance of lines and wrinkles, while filler is adding synthetic hyaluronic acid to fill, plump, contour, or balance facial features.

Botox is usually used for the lines and wrinkles that become more visible with age – most commonly to treat those pesky lines that suddenly pop up on your forehead and around your eyes. A licensed professional injects Botox into the muscles that cause those lines, temporarily freezing the muscles and reducing the appearance of the wrinkles over time. You will see optimal results within two weeks of treatment, and these typically last for 3-4 months. Lines that are deeper or present at rest will take more units and require routine treatment for optimal results.

Dermal fillers, on the other hand, can be used to soften the folds that are caused from volume loss that occur overtime with aging. Most often used for adding plumping and “hydration” for the lips, volume and contouring the cheeks, and adding definition and balance to chin and jawline. They can also be used to treat hollowness under the eyes also known as the tear troughs. Results are seen within 2 weeks as the swelling dissipates and can last up to 1-2 years.

Of course, the best person to determine which treatment is right for you is a medical professional. If you’re in Austin or Round Rock, you can schedule a complimentary consultation with our medical team today. One of our experienced medical injectors will assess your current health, aesthetic concerns, and desired results to a develop custom treatment plan for you.

What Issues Does Botox Correct?

Botox addresses wrinkles and facial lines between your eyebrows, forehead, eye area, and smile lines. It’s also ideal for:

• Forehead wrinkles/lines
• Glabella or elevens (11s) – vertical frown lines between the brows
• DAO/Lifting the corners of the mouth
• Lateral orbital lines or Crow’s feet (creases at corner of eyes)
• Bunny lines (beside the nose)
• Perioral lines (smoker’s lines or vertical lip lines)
• Vertical platysma bands of the neck (diminishing neck bands)
• Facial asymmetry
• Brow lift (treating the upper area of orbicularis oculi)
• Dimpled chins
• Preventing wrinkles from deepening over time
• Hyperhidrosis (underarm botox for excessive sweating)
• Gummy smiles
• Migraine headaches
• Masseter muscle (jaw clenching/TMJ)
• Lip flip (relaxes the lip from curling inwards when smiling, making lip appear fuller)

What Issues Does Filler Correct?

Filler is most commonly used to smooth facial lines, add volume to plump the lips, and to lift and contour the cheeks. The most common filler treatment areas are:

• Lips
• Cheeks
• Chin
• Jawline
• Pyriform Aperture (Nose)
• Nasolabial or smile lines
• Temples
• Under-eye area or tear troughs
• Hands

These are the most common issues our clients hope to address with Juvederm filler injections at Viva:

• Adding or restoring lip volume
• Facial asymmetry
• Minimize smile and laugh lines
• Correct a gummy smile
• Restoring hollow areas caused by aging or weight loss
• Recessed chin
• Weak jawline
• Jowls and Marionette lines (lines formed near the chin)
• Dark under eye circle related to hollowness
• Rejuvenating ear lobes
• Scarring, texture, and “dehydrated” skin

How Much Is Botox vs. Filler?

Botox costs $13.50 per unit at Viva Day Spa + Med Spa. The price of a Botox treatment at Viva typically ranges between $350-$650. The cost depends on the strength of your facial muscles, the number of treatment areas, the number of product units, and your desired outcome. See our current Botox specials here.

Sold by the syringe, dermal filler injections at Viva cost from $700-850 per syringe depending upon the product. Lip filler treatments are $700 while cheek, chin, jawline and under eye treatments range from 1-4 syringes per treatment area. Total treatment cost depends on the number of areas you are treating and your desired outcome. See our Filler specials here.

All Botox and filler injections at Viva are exclusively performed by our aesthetic nurse practitioners (NP), physician assistants (PA) and our medical director who is a double board-certified plastic surgeon.

How Long Does Botox Last vs. Filler?

Botox effects will last usually three to four months. Dermal fillers typically last one to two years.

What Are The Pain Levels For Botox vs. Filler?

Beauty is pain, right? Thankfully with these treatments there’s hardly any pain involved! Both Botox and dermal fillers involve injections, so you will feel a slight sting at the site of injection. However, most people tolerate both Botox and dermal fillers well. Dermal fillers also contain lidocaine that eases a lot of the discomfort associated with injections.

Most people experience no side effects with Botox injections, but some may experience headaches, eye irritation, and bruising. While extremely rare, it’s also possible to experience drooping eyelids. This is why it’s very important to have an experienced medical professional injecting your treatment.

With dermal fillers, most patients experience mild swelling and bruising. Some may experience hematomas (severe bruising) and tenderness near injection sites.

With both fillers and Botox, cool compresses can help, as can the SkinCeuticals Post-Injectable System, which contains an H.A. intensifier, an SPF, and C E Ferulic® to pamper the skin after any injectable and to help your results last.

How Can Viva Help You Enjoy a More Youthful Appearance?

Still wondering about Botox vs. fillers? At Viva Day Spa + Med Spa, our licensed med spa staff can recommend the treatments to help you get the look you want. We’ve brought together the best of the spa and med spa worlds: nationally recognized medical aesthetics talent and expertise, and the beautiful, relaxing spa experience that Austin has known and loved since 2005.

When you’re ready to book your appointment, you know you’re in good hands with Viva. Our luxurious spa setting, med spa professionals, and range of treatment options are here to help you look your best.

You only get one face. Take care of it with Viva. Book your consultation or filler or Botox session today!

This article has been medically reviewed by Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner & Injection Specialist Seema Singh, FNP-C.