The short answer
Botox and the other neurotoxins relax muscles, so they treat lines caused by movement — frowning, squinting, raising your brows. Filler adds volume under the skin, so it treats lines and hollows caused by lost fullness.
Side by side
| Neurotoxin | Dermal filler | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Relaxes the muscle under the line | Fills in lost volume |
| Best for | Frown lines, forehead lines, crow’s feet | Lips, cheeks, smile lines, marionette lines |
| At Total Body Renewal | Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau | Juvéderm, Revanesse Lips and Versa |
| Treatment time | 10–15 minutes | 15–60 minutes |
| Lasts | About 3–6 months | Up to 6–12 months in lips, about 2 years in cheeks |
What the FDA approves each for
BOTOX Cosmetic is FDA-approved for the temporary improvement of moderate to severe frown lines between the brows, crow’s feet, forehead lines and vertical neck bands in adults (FDA label). Absorbable fillers are FDA-approved for moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds such as the lines from nose to mouth, and for adding volume to the lips and cheeks (FDA).
A quick way to tell
Look in a mirror and relax your face completely. A line that disappears when you stop frowning or squinting is a movement line — neurotoxin territory. A line or hollow that is still there at rest usually comes from lost volume, which is where filler helps.
Why many people use both
Faces lose volume and form expression lines at the same time, so a plan often combines them: neurotoxin for the forehead and eyes, filler for the lips or the folds around the mouth. Dr. Wood does every injection herself and will tell you which one — or which combination — fits at a Botox visit or a filler consultation.