Two names always come up first when people talk about injectables: Botox and dermal fillers. If you’ve ever scrolled Instagram, flipped through glossy magazines, or chatted with a friend who “just looks so refreshed,” chances are one (or both) of these treatments are part of their routine.
But despite how often they’re mentioned in the same breath, Botox and fillers are very different treatments with unique benefits, distinct results, and an almost magical synergy when they’re combined. Think of them as different brushes in the same artist’s kit: one softens and blurs, the other shapes and sculpts.
This guide breaks it all down:
- What Botox is and why people love it
- What fillers are and the benefits they deliver
- Why stacking Botox and fillers is one of the most popular ways to achieve natural, glowing, youthful results
What Is Botox?
Botox (and similar neuromodulators like Dysport or Daxxify) is a purified protein derived from Clostridium botulinum. That might sound a little intense, but in aesthetics it’s used in ultra tiny, precise doses to relax overactive muscles that cause wrinkles [1].
Most of the lines we see on our face aren’t just etched into the skin, they’re the result of repetitive muscle movement. Think about frowning when you’re stressed, raising your brows in surprise, or squinting at the sun. Over time, those movements create visible creases like forehead lines, crow’s feet, and “11’s” between the brows.
Botox works by temporarily blocking the signal from nerve to muscle. When the muscle relaxes, the skin above it looks smoother, softer, and more even.
The Benefits of Botox
- Softens fine lines and wrinkles: Especially in the upper third of the face like the forehead, between the brows, and around the eyes
- Prevents new wrinkles from forming: Early use can keep lines from ever becoming deeply etched [2]
- Creates a more rested expression
- Non-invasive and quick: Treatments usually take less than 20 minutes with little to no downtime
- Customizable: Subtle dosing can maintain natural movement while still smoothing lines
Think of Botox as a filter for expression lines. It doesn’t change who you are, it just softens the visual noise.
What Are Fillers?
While Botox works on muscles, dermal fillers work on volume. The fillers we use at Self Skin Studio are gel like substances made from hyaluronic acid, a sugar your body naturally produces to keep skin plump and hydrated [3]. We use Juvederm, Restylane, and RHA fillers. When carefully injected, fillers restore lost volume, contour the face, and smooth lines caused not by muscle movement but by aging and gravity.
As we age, the supportive structures in our face shift: fat pads deflate, bone remodels, and collagen production slows down [4]. The result is a loss of volume and definition, sometimes making the face look tired or hollow. Fillers are designed to restore that support system.
The Benefits of Fillers
- Restores youthful volume: Plumps cheeks, under eyes, and temples that may have lost volume
- Enhances features: Defines lips, sharpens the jawline, defines the chin
- Smooths static wrinkles: These are the deeper folds like nasolabial lines or marionette lines that remain even when your face is at rest
- Hydrates the skin: Hyaluronic acid fillers attract water
- Immediate results: You walk out of your appointment looking more refreshed
Fillers are essentially the scaffolding of the face. Where Botox is about softening movement, fillers are about restoring structure. At Self Skin Studio we use injectables artfully, with a focus on enhancing your natural features without looking “done.”
Botox vs Fillers: The Key Differences
It’s easy to confuse the two because they’re both injectables, but here’s the simplest way to remember:
- Botox = movement lines. It relaxes muscles to soften wrinkles caused by expressions
- Fillers = volume loss. They restore, plump, and shape areas where fullness has diminished
Why Stacking Treatments Is So Popular
One of the most exciting things about aesthetics is that you don’t have to choose between Botox and fillers. In fact, the best results often come from combining them.
The Power of Synergy
Botox and fillers complement each other like skincare and sunscreen—you get better results when you pair them. Botox handles the dynamic wrinkles, while fillers restore volume and balance the overall structure.
Together, they create results that are:
- Natural- looking results: Instead of treating one small area in isolation, you’re addressing the face as a whole
- Long lasting: Botox prevents lines from deepening, while filler provides volume that can last 6 to 18 months [5]
- Customizable: Whether you’re in your 30s looking for prevention or in your 50s restoring lost volume, the combination can be tailored to your unique goals
Real Life Examples of Stacking Botox and filler
- Forehead lines and temples: Botox smooths the lines, filler replenishes temple hollows
- Crow’s feet and under eye shadows: Botox softens the crow’s feet, filler refreshes tired eyes. PRP is also an option for under eyes.
- Lip flip and lip filler: Botox creates a subtle upward curl, filler adds shape and hydration
- Jawline slimming and contouring: Botox in the masseters slims the face, filler defines the jawline
Research also supports this synergy of using Botox and filler together. A review in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology found that combining neuromodulators and fillers leads to more comprehensive and natural rejuvenation compared to using either alone [6]
Is Botox or Filler Better for You?
The truth is, it depends on your goals.
- If your main concern is wrinkles that deepen when you make expressions, Botox is your best friend
- If you notice hollows, sagging, or loss of youthful fullness, filler is likely the right starting point
- And if you want the most comprehensive, refreshed, yet natural result, consider a combination approach
The right provider will always assess your face as a whole, factoring in your anatomy, age, lifestyle, and goals.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
- Maintenance is key: Botox lasts about 3 to 4 months, while fillers last 6 to 18 months depending on the product and area
- Subtle is beautiful: The best work doesn’t scream “I’ve had something done.” It whispers “I slept well, I’m hydrated, I feel good.”
- Prevention pays off: Starting with small doses of Botox early can actually keep deep lines from ever forming
Botox and fillers are collaborators not competitors. Each addresses a different piece of the aging puzzle: movement and volume. Used together, they can help you look like the most rested, confident version of yourself without altering the unique features that make you you.
References
1. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Botulinum Toxin Products. 2024.
2. Carruthers, A., Carruthers, J., & Coleman, W. P. (2021). Botulinum Toxins in Clinical Practice. Dermatologic Clinics.
3. American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. Dermal Fillers Guide. 2023.
4. Coleman, S. R., & Grover, R. (2006). The anatomy of the aging face: Volume loss and changes in 3D contour. Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
5. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Plastic Surgery Statistics Report. 2023.
6. de Boulle, K., et al. (2022). Combined Use of Botulinum Toxin and Fillers: A Review. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.
Curious about botox or fillers in Wilmington, NC
Peer Reviewed by Chelsea Delgado, RN
Chelsea brings nearly seven years of experience in Medical Aesthetics, specializing in injectable and laser treatments. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Chelsea began her nursing career with a focus on Aesthetic Medicine and quickly realized her passion for helping others feel confident and beautiful in their own skin.
