Botox vs Dermal Filler
One stops movement, the other restores volume
These two are often spoken about as alternatives, which they are not. Botulinum toxin relaxes the muscle that creates a line. Hyaluronic acid filler adds volume where tissue has been lost. If you choose the wrong one, the result is disappointing rather than wrong.
The test is simple: make the expression. If the line only appears when you move, it is a Botox problem. If it is there when your face is still, it is a volume problem.
| Factor | Botox | Filler |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Relaxes the muscle that folds the skin | Adds volume beneath the skin |
| Treats | Frown lines, forehead lines, crow's feet | Lips, cheeks, tear troughs, nasolabial folds |
| Visible after | 3 to 5 days, full effect at 2 weeks | Immediately, final shape at 2 weeks |
| Lasts | 3 to 4 months | 9 to 18 months depending on the area |
| Downtime | None | 2 to 5 days of swelling or bruising |
| Reversible | No, but it wears off | Yes, dissolved with hyaluronidase |
| Typical cost in Istanbul | €180 – €350 per area | €220 – €450 per syringe |
Which one should you choose?
For lines caused by expression — between the brows, across the forehead, at the corners of the eyes — Botox is the answer and filler is the wrong tool.
For flatness, hollowness or a lip that has lost definition, filler is the answer and Botox does nothing.
A face in its forties often needs both, but they are planned separately and usually placed at different appointments so each result can be judged on its own.
Botox
Il Botox utilizza la tossina botulinica per rilassare i muscoli mimici, levigando rughe e linee sottili per un aspetto più fresco. L'effetto è temporaneo.
180 € – 350 €
Filler labbra
Il filler labbra utilizza acido ialuronico per dare volume e definizione alle labbra. L'effetto è temporaneo e può essere annullato con ialuronidasi, se clinicamente appropriato.
220 € – 400 €
Domande frequenti
- Can I have both on the same day?
- Yes, and it is common. The only reason to separate them is so you can tell which treatment produced which part of the result, which matters if you are new to either.
- Which one looks more obvious?
- Over-filled lips and cheeks are far more noticeable than over-relaxed muscles, because volume changes the shape of the face. Conservative dosing matters more with filler.
