Botox and dermal fillers are both injectable treatments that smooth wrinkles and refresh your look, but they work in completely different ways: Botox relaxes the muscles that create expression lines, while dermal fillers restore volume to fill in lines and enhance facial contours. In short, Botox softens movement-related wrinkles like forehead lines and crow’s feet, while fillers restore volume to areas like the cheeks, lips, and under-eyes.
At AZ Medspa 48 in Peoria, AZ, we create customized treatment plans that use these tools to deliver natural-looking results. This guide walks you through how Botox and fillers work, what they treat, and how to decide which is right for your goals.
Dermal fillers are gel-like substances, most commonly made from hyaluronic acid (HA), injected beneath the skin to restore lost volume, smooth deep lines, and enhance facial contours. As we age, we naturally lose collagen and fat, leaving cheeks flatter, lips thinner, and folds around the mouth more pronounced.
At AZ Medspa 48, dermal fillers are customized to your face and goals for subtle, natural enhancements, with results that typically last from 6 to 18 months.
Neuromodulators are purified proteins that temporarily relax specific facial muscles. Botox is the most well-known brand in this category. When muscles that contract during expressions like frowning, smiling, or raising your eyebrows are relaxed, the skin above them smooths out.
Botox is used to smooth existing lines, help prevent new ones, and address concerns beyond wrinkles, such as jaw slimming and excessive sweating.
Botox: Stops muscle contractions that cause wrinkles. It smooths lines.
Fillers: Adds volume to fill hollows and deep lines. It plumps and lifts.
Wrinkle Type: Botox treats dynamic wrinkles (from expression). Fillers treat static wrinkles (visible at rest).
Mechanism: Botox is a muscle relaxer. Fillers are a volumizer.
Think of it this way: if a line appears when you make a facial expression, Botox is often the answer. If a line or hollow is there even when your face is completely still, filler is usually the better fit.
Forehead Lines: Horizontal lines that appear when you raise your eyebrows.
Frown Lines (Glabellar Lines): The “11s” between your eyebrows.
Crow’s Feet: Fine lines radiating from the outer corners of your eyes.
Masseter Reduction: Slims the jawline and helps with teeth grinding/clenching.
Lip Flip: Rolls the upper lip slightly upward for a subtly fuller look without adding volume.
Gummy Smile: Relaxes the muscle that pulls the upper lip too high, showing less gum.
Underarm Sweating (Hyperhidrosis): Blocks nerve signals that activate sweat glands.
Lips: Add volume, define the border, and improve symmetry.
Cheeks: Lift and contour the midface to restore youthful “apple” cheeks.
Under-Eyes (Tear Troughs): Fill hollows that create shadows and a tired appearance.
Jawline Contouring: Create a sharper, more defined jawline and camouflage jowls.
Chin Augmentation: Improve balance and profile by adding projection to a recessed chin.
Nasolabial Folds: Soften the deep lines from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth.
Sometimes the approach combines both treatments. For example, very deep forehead lines present even at rest may not be fully corrected by Botox alone – Botox can relax the muscle while a small amount of fine filler smooths the crease. The lower face may involve both a lip flip with Botox and volume with lip filler. This is determined during your personalized consultation.
The most popular type of filler. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule that occurs naturally in your skin, attracting water to keep it hydrated and plump. HA fillers are soft, gel-like, temporary, and can be dissolved if needed. Different HA fillers have different thicknesses, making them suitable for everything from fine lines to deep structural lifting.
A thicker, gel-based solution with tiny calcium-based particles. It’s often used for deeper wrinkles and significant volume or structural changes, such as the cheeks and jawline, and may help stimulate your body’s own collagen production over time.
A “collagen stimulator.” Rather than filling instantly, it encourages your body to produce new collagen over several weeks. Results are gradual and can be very long-lasting, making it useful for restoring overall facial volume.
The original and most studied neuromodulator, widely used for forehead lines, frown lines, and crow’s feet.
A “purified” or “naked” injectable containing only the active ingredient, without surrounding proteins. It works similarly to Botox to relax targeted muscles.
A newer neuromodulator developed specifically for cosmetic use, structurally similar to Botox, used to treat frown lines.
During your consultation at AZ Medspa 48, your provider will select the product suited to your anatomy and goals. Availability of specific brands may vary.
Pros:
Immediate, visible volume and contour
Restores fullness lost to aging
Smooths deep, static lines
Highly customizable for details or structural contouring
No surgery, no downtime
Results last 6 to 18 months
Cons:
Results are not permanent and require maintenance
Mild swelling or bruising can occur
Technique-dependent – quality relies on injector skill
Not effective for movement-based wrinkles
Pros:
Smooths dynamic wrinkles effectively
Helps prevent new lines from forming
Quick “lunchtime” appointments with zero downtime
Versatile – treats jaw clenching, sweating, gummy smile, and more
Proven safety record; results visible within days
Cons:
Not instant – full effects appear around two weeks
Results typically last 3 to 4 months
Does not restore lost volume or fill deep static lines
Your journey begins with an in-person consultation – the most critical step. At AZ Medspa 48, consultations are included in the total treatment price rather than charged separately.
Our team will conduct a thorough review of your medical history. Be open and honest about any health conditions, allergies, medications, and supplements – this ensures your safety and helps determine if you’re a good candidate.
Questions to Ask Before Treatment
Which treatment fits my specific concerns?
What product do you recommend for me and why?
What kind of results can I realistically expect, and how long will they last?
What can I do to reduce swelling or bruising?
When should I schedule my follow-up?
On the day of treatment, the area is thoroughly cleansed, and injection points are marked. For filler treatments, a topical numbing cream may be applied to ensure comfort. The product is delivered with a fine needle – most patients describe the sensation as small pinches. Botox appointments are especially fast, while filler sessions may take a bit longer. An entire appointment is typically completed in under 30 minutes.
Both treatments are known for minimal downtime. You can usually resume normal activities right away. Avoid rubbing or massaging the treated area.
Results: With fillers, you’ll see results immediately, though minor swelling can obscure the final outcome for a few days. With Botox, smoothing appears in 3–5 days, with full results at about 14 days.
Botox results appear within a few days and last, on average, 3 to 4 months. With consistent treatment, some patients find results last slightly longer as muscles become trained to relax.
Filler results are immediate and, depending on the product and area, can last 6 to 18 months. Fillers in mobile areas (like the lips) may not last as long as those in less mobile areas (like the cheeks).
Since neither treatment is permanent, schedule your next appointment before the effects of the previous one have fully worn off. This maintains a consistently refreshed look and can have a preventative effect.
The cost of Botox and fillers depends on the treatment area, the amount of product needed, and your goals. Botox is usually priced by the number of units used, while fillers are priced by the syringe. Filler treatments often cost more per session but tend to last longer. Because every face is different, the most accurate pricing comes from your in-person consultation.
AZ Medspa 48 is a cash-pay practice that also accepts HSA. Financing through Affirm may be available – learn more on the financing page.
Absolutely. Using Botox and fillers together is one of the most effective ways to achieve comprehensive facial rejuvenation because they solve different problems. For instance, Botox can relax the frown muscles that create the “11s” while filler smooths any residual static line – or Botox can relax forehead lines while filler restores volume in the cheeks. This dual approach provides a more complete, natural-looking result than either treatment alone.
Both Botox and dermal fillers are exceptional, non-surgical treatments for refreshing your appearance – but they’re not interchangeable. Botox smooths wrinkles caused by muscle movement, while fillers restore volume and fill lines present at rest. Often, the most natural, comprehensive results come from a thoughtful combination of both.
The first and most important step is a personalized consultation. If you’re in Peoria, AZ, and ready to decide which option fits your goals, our expert team will work with you to develop a customized plan for your unique aesthetic journey.
About the Author
Stephanie Duffy, MSN, FNP-BC
July 3, 2026
