Two treatments, one big misunderstanding
When new clients sit down with us for their first consultation, one of the questions we hear most often is: "Should I get botox or filler?" And it is a perfectly fair question - because from the outside they look alike. Both are injectable treatments, both are performed with a fine needle, and both are used in the aesthetic world.
But that is where the similarity ends. Botox and filler solve very different challenges, and the best treatment depends entirely on what you want to achieve.
In short: botox relaxes a muscle, while filler adds volume. That is the whole difference in one sentence - but let us unfold it, because it is in the details that it becomes clear when each one makes sense.
How botox works
Botox is a name most people know, but the treatment is based on a purified protein called botulinum toxin. When it is placed precisely in a muscle, it temporarily dampens the signal from nerve to muscle.
The muscle relaxes, and the lines that appear when we use our face - the so-called dynamic lines - are smoothed out.
That is why botox is typically used in the upper part of the face, where expression is most active: worry lines on the forehead, the vertical lines between the brows and the smile lines around the eyes. The effect appears gradually over the days after treatment and usually lasts three to four months, after which it slowly fades.
Because botulinum toxin is a prescription medicine, the treatment in Denmark always requires a prior medical assessment, which at our clinic is carried out by our affiliated doctor.
How filler works
Filler works in a completely different way. It is a soft gel of hyaluronic acid - a substance the body produces itself, which binds water in the skin.
Where botox makes something relax, filler adds something: volume, definition and structure where it is needed.
Over time the skin naturally loses volume, and contours that were once soft and full can become flatter. Filler can restore that balance - or enhance features you have always wished were a little more defined.
The result is visible immediately and settles fully over one to two weeks. An important reassurance with hyaluronic acid filler is that it can be dissolved again should you wish.
The typical areas
A simple way to remember the difference is to look at where the two treatments are most often used.
Botox is typically used on:
- The forehead and the horizontal worry lines
- The vertical lines between the brows
- Smile lines around the eyes
- After an individual medical assessment: tension in the jaw muscles or excessive sweating
Filler is typically used on:
- The lips - volume, moisture and definition
- Cheekbones and the mid-face
- Jawline and contours
- Folds from the nose to the corners of the mouth, and marionette lines
Can you combine botox and filler?
Yes - and it is actually very common. Because the two treatments each solve a different kind of challenge, they often complement each other well.
You could, for example, soften the forehead with botox while restoring a little volume in the mid-face with filler. But - and this matters to us - a combination is never a goal in itself.
The right choice is always the one that gives you the most natural, harmonious result - and sometimes the answer is neither, at least not yet.
Botox relaxes a muscle. Filler adds volume. The rest is nuance - but it is the nuance that decides the right choice.
What lasts longest?
How long it lasts depends on the treatment, the area and the individual body. Botox typically lasts three to four months.
Filler lasts longer - often from six to eighteen months, depending on the product and placement. What they have in common is that they are temporary.
That means you set the pace, and nothing is permanent.
Is it right for me?
The short answer is: we will only know once we have seen your skin and heard what you want. Some people come with a very specific wish, others are simply curious and unsure whether there is anything to do at all.
Both are welcome. At a consultation we assess your skin, talk through your wishes and expectations and put together a plan that suits you - or recommend that you wait, if that is the right thing to do.
This article is general information and does not replace a personal, professional assessment. Botulinum toxin is a prescription medicine and requires a medical consultation. Contact us for a no-obligation conversation about what is right for you.