Botox relaxes the muscles that cause expression lines. Filler restores volume that’s been lost. They solve two different problems and most patients eventually need a combination of both, not one instead of the other.
It’s the question Lucere’s expert injectors hear in nearly every first consultation. Here’s the breakdown, treatment by treatment.
What Does Botox Actually Do?
Botox—and other neuromodulators like Dysport—temporarily relax the small facial muscles responsible for expression lines. That includes forehead lines, the “elevens” between your brows, and crow’s feet at the corners of your eyes.
The injection blocks the nerve signal that tells a muscle to contract. Less contraction means less folding of the skin above it, and over a few days the line visibly softens.
- Onset: Results begin in 3–7 days, with full effect around two weeks
- Duration: Typically 3–4 months
- Best for: Dynamic wrinkles — the ones that show up when you move your face, not when it’s at rest
- Common treatment areas: forehead lines, glabellar lines (“the 11s”), crow’s feet, bunny lines, lip flip, jawline slimming (masseter Botox), and preventative “prejuvenation” use for patients in their 20s and 30s
What Does Filler Actually Do?
Dermal filler—most commonly hyaluronic acid (HA)—adds volume where it’s been lost over time, or where it was never quite there to begin with. Cheeks, lips, jawline, temples, and the under-eye area are the most requested zones.
HA gels work by binding water and physically filling space beneath the skin. Some formulations, like HArmonyCa™, go a step further by also stimulating the body’s own collagen production over time.
- Onset: Immediate, with final settling over 2–4 weeks as any swelling resolves
- Duration: 6–18 months, depending on the area and product used
- Best for: Volume loss, structural support, and contouring — concerns present even when your face is at rest
- Common treatment areas: cheeks, lips, jawline, chin, temples, under-eye hollows (tear trough), marionette lines, nasolabial folds
How Do I Know Which One I Need?
Here’s a simple test: if the line only shows up when you frown, squint, or smile, that’s a Botox concern. If it’s visible even when your face is completely relaxed, that’s usually about lost volume and filler is the better tool.
Most patients over 35 end up needing both, addressed in the same visit. A flatter cheek and a deepening “11” between the brows aren’t competing problems; they’re two separate mechanisms of aging happening at once, and treating only one leaves the other unaddressed.
Not sure which category your concern falls into? That’s exactly what a consultation is for. Book your complimentary consultation with Lucere’s injecting team, or call 780-461-1188.
How Lucere Decides What You Actually Need
Dr. Zaki Taher, Lucere’s Board-Certified Dermatologist (FRCPC), is one of only seven physicians in Canada selected to teach the MD Codes® approach to facial assessment nationally: a system built on treating the face as an interconnected structure rather than a checklist of individual lines. That training shapes how every Lucere injector approaches a consultation: assess first, then recommend, never the reverse.
With 5,000+ injectable treatments performed at Lucere each year, the team has seen the full range of what Botox and filler can—and can’t—do for a given face. That volume is also why correction conversations are common and judgment-free: if a previous filler treatment elsewhere didn’t land the way you’d hoped, filler correction is its own service line at Lucere, not an afterthought.
FAQ: Botox vs. Filler
Can I get Botox and filler on the same day?
Yes. Many patients combine both in a single appointment, often called a Full Face Botox & Filler treatment, since the two address different mechanisms of facial aging.
Which lasts longer, Botox or filler?
Filler, generally. Botox averages 3–4 months; most fillers last 6–18 months depending on the product and treatment area.
Does Botox or filler hurt more?
Both use fine needles, and most areas tolerate the treatment well with little to no numbing required. Filler treatments around the lips are sometimes paired with topical numbing cream for comfort.
I’m in my 20s — do I need either?
Possibly preventative Botox if early dynamic lines are forming, but filler usually isn’t necessary yet unless it’s for lip enhancement or balancing facial proportions. A consultation can clarify what, if anything, makes sense for your face right now.
What if I’ve had filler elsewhere and don’t love the results?
Lucere offers filler correction, including hyaluronidase dissolving for HA-based products. Bring your concerns to a consultation — there’s no judgment, just a plan to fix it.
Ready to find out which treatment — or combination — is right for your face? Book your complimentary consultation at Lucere Dermatology & Laser Clinic, with locations in Edmonton South and Edmonton Downtown. Call 780-461-1188 or book online at lucereskin.com.