Filler vs Botox: A Fair Comparison
The short answer
Filler is generally used to restore or add volume and soften folds, while botox relaxes specific muscles to soften expression lines or slim areas like the jaw. At Shinebom Clinic in Jamsil both have a touch-up window within 1 month, and many plans use them together.
Key facts
- Filler: fills hollow areas and adds natural volume
- Botox: relaxes muscle for lines, jaw, temple, trapezius, skin
- Touch-up: within 1 month for both
- Filler settling: bruising, swelling, pain in 1-2 weeks
- Botox settling: bruises in days, wheals in 1-2 days
What does each one do?
Filler is a gel injected to replace or add volume. The clinic describes filling 8 hollow areas linked to aging and adding natural volume to 6 areas, such as forehead, nose, lips and the eye area. Botox is an injection that relaxes certain muscles, used for forehead, glabella and mouth-area lines, jaw slimming, temple and trapezius, and for skin botox aimed at pores and brightness. See filler and botox.
Side by side
| Point | Filler | Botox |
|---|---|---|
| Main role | Volume and fold softening | Muscle relaxation |
| Examples at the clinic | Forehead, nose, lips, nasolabial, neck lines | Forehead lines, frown lines, jawline, temple, skin botox |
| Touch-up | Within 1 month | Within 1 month |
| Makeup and washing | Right away | Right away |
| Bruising and swelling | Settle within 1-2 weeks | Bruises fade in days |
| Avoid for about a week | Alcohol, sauna, hot baths, hard exercise; no rubbing or massage | Heavy drinking, sauna, hard exercise; no pressing or deep massage |
Which concerns suit which?
Generally, lines caused by repeated expressions respond to botox, and lines or hollows caused by lost volume respond to filler. Many faces have both. The clinic uses minimum volume and refuses overdone results, so subtle outcomes are normal. Browse aging concerns for specific areas.
What are the risks?
Both can cause bruising, swelling and tenderness. Contact the clinic if pain worsens or skin color changes after filler, or if redness, itching or warmth persist. After botox, temporary stiffness is described as normal, and after jaw botox you should avoid tough chewy food. Tell the doctor about allergies and pregnancy.
How do you decide?
The doctor looks at how your face moves and where volume has changed, then proposes a plan. Treatment prices are quoted after consultation. Neither is better in general, and which is right is decided at consultation. See also filler vs skin booster.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have filler and botox together?
They are often combined in a plan, if the doctor judges it suitable.
Which has more downtime?
Filler bruising and swelling settle within 1-2 weeks per the clinic's notes, while botox bruises fade in days. It varies by person.
Can I wear makeup afterward?
The clinic's notes say you can wash and wear makeup right away after either.
Related pages
General information from Shinebom Clinic, not personal medical advice. Results and recovery vary between individuals, and all procedures carry possible risks and side effects. A doctor will confirm what suits you at consultation.
Bloom yourself, in your own way
Tell us your skin concerns and dates in English. Shinebom Clinic is a 3-minute walk from Jamsil Station, exits 8 and 9.