Bigger lips from Botox? No, not in the way you might think. And a filler that makes every wrinkle disappear? That is not how it works either. Although Botox and fillers are often mentioned in the same breath, they are two completely different treatments. So what exactly is the difference? And when do you choose which treatment?
Botox and fillers: two different effects
Botox and fillers are both used in cosmetic medicine, but they have a different purpose.
Botox relaxes muscles. Fillers restore or support volume and contours.
That sounds simple, but the distinction matters. Not every wrinkle is caused by muscle movement, and not every change in the face is the result of volume loss.
To understand which treatment may be suitable, we therefore first look at the cause.
What exactly does Botox do?
Botox is the well-known brand name for botulinum toxin, a substance that temporarily reduces the transmission of signals between nerves and muscles. As a result, the treated muscles relax and the skin above them is contracted less strongly.
Think, for example, of the frown line between the eyebrows, horizontal forehead lines or crow's feet next to the eyes.
These lines develop partly because we constantly use our facial muscles. We laugh, frown, look surprised or squint.
By temporarily making certain muscles less active, these expression lines can soften.
The aim is not to remove all expression from the face, but to create a relaxed, fresh appearance while preserving natural expression.
The effect usually develops in the days after the treatment and lasts three to four months on average, although this varies from person to person.
And what does a filler do?
A filler works very differently. Where Botox affects muscle activity, a filler is used to restore volume, support contours or subtly improve certain proportions in the face.
At Leading Aesthetics | Lidy Knigge we work with hyaluronic acid fillers. This is a substance that occurs naturally in our body and can attract and retain moisture.
With a hyaluronic acid filler we can, for example:
- restore lost volume in the face
- give the lips subtly more shape or volume
- give the chin or jawline more definition
- soften certain folds when volume loss plays a role
But a filler is not automatically the solution for every wrinkle.
A line caused mainly by repeated muscle movement often calls for a different approach than a fold caused by changes in volume and support of the face.
Moreover, more volume is by no means always more beautiful. Sometimes a small, carefully chosen adjustment is enough to bring the face as a whole into better balance.
Bigger lips from Botox? How does that work?
This may well be one of the best-known misconceptions.
To actually add lip volume, a hyaluronic acid filler is usually used. It can adjust the shape, definition or volume of the lips.
Botulinum toxin can also be used for a so-called lip flip. A small amount is injected into the muscle around the upper lip, allowing the upper lip to turn outwards slightly.
The lip can then look slightly fuller, but no volume is added.
So these are two different techniques, each with its own possibilities and limitations.
Which treatment suits you?
That depends mainly on what you want to improve and what caused that change.
A frown line calls for a different approach than volume loss at the temples or a less defined jawline. And sometimes an injectable is not the most suitable solution at all.
Skin quality also plays an important role. Fine lines, a less even skin texture or a tired appearance can sometimes be better addressed with skin-improving treatments.
That is why, during a consultation, we look not only at the area you want treated, but at your face as a whole.
A natural result starts with the right advice
At Leading Aesthetics | Lidy Knigge we believe that a good cosmetic treatment starts with looking and listening carefully.
What exactly bothers you? What would you like to improve? And perhaps even more important: what suits your face and natural appearance?
Botox and fillers can complement each other in some cases, but they certainly do not always need to be combined.
It is not about treating as much as possible, but about carefully determining what genuinely adds something.
Because in the end we all want the same thing: to look fresh and good without losing ourselves.
Curious whether Botox, fillers or perhaps another treatment suits your wishes? During a personal consultation, cosmetic physician Lidy Knigge will be happy to look at this with you.
Lidy Knigge
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