An Overview of Botox® and Facial Fillers

From sagging skin to thin lips and laugh lines to deep forehead creases, the effects of aging and sun exposure can impact our facial appearance in many ways. Now for some good news: cosmetic treatments like Botox® and facial fillers, also known as dermal fillers, can help “turn back the clock" on aging skin by helping to restore a refreshed, more youthful look.

Botox vs. Facial Fillers

Both Botox® Cosmetic and facial fillers are safe and effective for most people, and the treatments can take place at your doctor's office. But they treat different issues in different areas of the face, so the right cosmetic treatment for you depends on your cosmetic goals.

If you're most concerned about fine lines and wrinkles that are accentuated by facial expressions like talking and smiling, then Botox® Cosmetic would be an appropriate treatment.

If you want to address lines that appear when your face is at rest, or you want to add more volume to areas of your face, then dermal fillers are the best treatment. In some cases, patients choose to have both Botox® Cosmetic and injectable fillers done at the same time to address different cosmetic issues.

The best way to determine which is best for you is to consult with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to discuss your health history and your cosmetic goals.

What is Botox® Cosmetic and What Does it Treat?

Botox® Cosmetic is used to treat fine lines and wrinkles in areas of the face where muscles are used for expression.

The procedure, which is delivered via an injection, works best for lines that occur due to muscle contraction, such as frown lines, crow's feet (around the eyes) and between the eyebrows.

The procedure works by temporarily relaxing the surrounding muscles, which reduces muscle activity in the targeted area — along with the appearance of fine lines and facial wrinkles. Botox does not “fill in" lines, but rather, relaxes the muscles that cause the lines when the muscle contracts.

The Botox® Cosmetic procedure takes just a few minutes with little to no downtime.

How Long Does Botox® Cosmetic Last?

Botox® Cosmetic results are usually noticeable within one to two weeks. Results typically last three to four months, and many patients have multiple treatments per year to maintain long-term results.

How Much Does Botox® Cosmetic Cost?

While the cost of Botox® Cosmetic can vary depending on the areas treated, the average cost of Botox® Cosmetic is around $466 per treatment. ¹

What Are Facial Fillers and What Do They Treat?

Facial fillers, also known as dermal fillers, are injected in areas of the face to treat deep facial lines and to replace or add volume in areas like cheeks, lips, jaw, hands and neck. They work best in areas of rest where muscles are not contracting. Facial fillers are also effective at reducing the appearance of acne scars.

Injectable fillers come in a few different forms and, like Botox® Cosmetic, are injected into specific areas of the face. Dermal filler procedures can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour with little to no downtime. The most common side effects of dermal fillers are bruising, swelling and tenderness to the area of injection. Side effects, should they occur, resolve within one to two weeks.

How Long Do Facial Fillers Last?

Facial filler results are usually noticeable immediately and tend to last longer than Botox® Cosmetic, anywhere from six to 18 months or longer, depending on the type of filler used.

How Much Do Facial Fillers Cost?

Facial fillers are usually more expensive than Botox® Cosmetic, with average costs ranging from $682 to $2,126 per treatment.²

Financing Botox® With the CareCredit Credit Card

When getting Botox or another cosmetic procedure, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go, and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

Our Expert Reviewer

Dr. Michael Niccole is the Medical Director of CosmetiCare Plastic Surgery Center & MedSpa in Corona Del Mar, California, which he founded in 1982. He has been practicing medicine for 48 years and received his undergraduate education from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. He received his medical education from the University of California Irvine, where he also performed his residency in General Surgery and Otolaryngology. Dr. Niccole performed his residency in Plastic Surgery at University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City, and specializes in cosmetic surgery of the face, breast, nose, and body.

He is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Academy of Facial Plastics & Reconstructive Surgery. He was voted OC Weekly's "Best Cosmetic Surgeon" for multiple years and the Muscular Dystrophy Association's "Man of the Year" in 2008 for donating his plastic surgery skills to help those in need.