If facial wrinkles and hollowing both bother you, should you get Botox or filler?
Botox is considered for expression lines and fillers for hollow or sunken volume. Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic in Myeongji-dong, Busan, summarizes how the two work and how long they last, order and spacing when combined, study figures and published prices.
Quick answer
If lines on the forehead, between the brows or around the eyes deepen when you make expressions, Botox is considered; if the cheeks, temples or nasolabial area look hollow or sunken even at rest, filler is considered. Botox temporarily reduces muscle movement and filler replaces lost volume with hyaluronic acid, so neither can substitute for the other. When both causes are present the two can be planned together, and whether to have them on the same day or 1–2 weeks apart is decided at the consultation.
Why it matters now
Botox and filler both treat wrinkles by injection, but one targets muscle movement and the other lost volume, so if the cause is misjudged the expected change may not appear. The U.S. FDA states that the safe use of fillers combined with Botox has not been evaluated in a controlled clinical study, so if you plan to have both, first confirm the cause, order and spacing.
Do my wrinkles appear with movement, or because volume has been lost?
Lines that deepen only with expressions and fade when you relax are caused by muscle movement and are a fit for Botox. Nasolabial folds that look sunken even at rest, or hollowing of the cheeks, temples or forehead, are caused by lost volume and are a fit for filler; when both appear, combining them is considered.
| If this is your situation | Option considered | Basis and limits |
|---|---|---|
| Forehead, frown or crow's-feet lines that deepen with expressions | Option consideredBotox (injected into muscle) | Basis and limitsTemporarily reduces muscle movement to soften lines. It does not restore lost volume. |
| Nasolabial folds that look sunken at rest, or hollow cheeks, temples or forehead | Option consideredFiller (hyaluronic acid) | Basis and limitsRestores lost volume. Lines caused by muscle movement may remain. |
| Movement lines and lost volume together | Option consideredBotox and filler combined | Basis and limitsIn studies, combining gave greater improvement than either alone, but combined safety has not been evaluated in a controlled clinical study. |
| Skin texture is the main concern, such as pores, fine lines or oiliness | Option consideredCompare skin Botox | Basis and limitsToxin is injected in small amounts into the shallow dermis to manage skin texture; it does not add volume. |
How do Botox and filler differ in how they work and how long they last?
Botox injects botulinum toxin into targeted muscles to temporarily reduce movement, while filler places a material such as hyaluronic acid into hollow areas to restore volume. As a result, Botox changes appear over several days, while filler changes are often visible right after injection.
How it works
Botox temporarily relaxes muscles, while filler restores volume with a material the U.S. FDA has approved as a medical device implant.
When results appear
The American Academy of Dermatology states that most people see Botox results within 3–7 days, and that most fillers give immediate or near-immediate results.
How long it lasts
The American Academy of Dermatology describes wrinkle Botox as lasting about 3–4 months, and Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic describes filler as lasting about 6 months to 1 year.
If I get Botox and filler together, how are the order and spacing decided?
A consensus of 15 experts found that on the same day Botox and filler may be done in either order, and recommended spacing separate treatments 1–2 weeks apart so side effects can resolve and results can be assessed. However, the U.S. FDA states that combined safety of fillers and Botox has not been evaluated in a controlled clinical study, so the actual order and spacing are decided at the consultation based on the area and product.
Same day
The expert consensus found that Botox and filler can be done together in either order.
Separate visits
Leaving 1–2 weeks lets bruising and swelling settle so the next treatment can be planned after seeing the result.
When to postpone
The U.S. FDA advises delaying filler injection if the area has inflammation such as pimples or rashes, or an infection.
What to tell us
Share when, where and with which product you last had Botox or filler at the consultation.
How does Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic perform Botox and filler, and what do they cost?
Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic describes standard Botox as injected into muscle to soften expression lines; procedure time and duration for standard Botox are not published separately on the clinic's pages and are confirmed at the consultation. Filler is performed under topical or local anesthesia over about 10–20 minutes, with injection site, depth and volume planned for each area's structure, and recovery is described as within 1 week.
The published non-covered fee list shows wrinkle Botox at KRW 18,900 for Hitox, KRW 44,000 for Coretox and KRW 88,000 for Xeomin, and fillers at KRW 150,000 for Rejuviel 1cc, KRW 250,000 for Belotero 1cc and KRW 880,000 for Radiesse (checked October 20, 2026). Total cost varies with the number of areas and volume, so it is confirmed at the consultation, and non-covered fees may change.
How much do results differ in numbers when Botox and filler are combined?
Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic has no published data on combined Botox and filler results. In a study of 38 women with deep frown lines, the median time for lines to return to their pre-treatment state was 18 weeks with filler alone and 32 weeks with Botox added.
Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic data
Combined Botox and filler result and side-effect statistics: no published data
Carruthers et al., 2003 (38 people, randomized comparison)
For deep frown lines, the group given Botox plus hyaluronic acid filler responded better than the filler-only group, and the effect lasted longer.
Carruthers et al., 2010 (90 people, multicenter randomized comparison)
In women aged 35–55 treated around the mouth and lower face, the combination group improved more than the Botox-only and filler-only groups on most measures and at most time points.
What to keep in mind with these figures
Both studies were run by the same research group in women only, with specific products and areas, so the results cannot be applied directly to other products, areas or individuals.
After Botox or filler, which symptoms mean I should see a doctor right away?
Both Botox and filler can cause bruising, swelling and mild pain at the injection site, which usually settle over time. Seek care immediately for unusual pain, vision changes or skin near the injection site turning white, gray or blue after filler, or difficulty breathing, swallowing or speaking after Botox.
Common reactions
Bruising, swelling, redness, mild pain and tenderness
Rare reaction to Botox
Weakness in nearby muscles can temporarily cause a droopy brow or eyelid.
Signs that need immediate care
After filler: unusual pain, vision changes, skin color changes, or sudden difficulty speaking or weakness in the face, arms or legs; after Botox: difficulty breathing, swallowing or speaking
Injection areas and volume, order and spacing, and results and recovery may vary with each person's muscle and volume condition and the medical team's judgment.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get Botox and filler together
When movement lines and lost volume occur together, the two treatments can be planned together. An expert consensus recommends either order on the same day, or 1–2 weeks apart when separated, but because combined safety has not been evaluated in a controlled clinical study, the plan is decided at the consultation based on the area and product.
Which lasts longer, Botox or filler
The American Academy of Dermatology describes wrinkle Botox as lasting about 3–4 months, and Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic describes filler as lasting about 6 months to 1 year. How long filler lasts depends on the product and area.
Can Botox smooth nasolabial folds
Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic treats deep nasolabial folds as a filler consultation concern. Botox softens lines caused by muscle movement, so for nasolabial folds caused by lost volume, filler is compared first.
About the clinic behind this article
Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic is a board-certified plastic surgery clinic in Myeongji-dong, Gangseo-gu, Busan. Dr. Hyungseok Noh, board-certified plastic surgeon and medical director, provides care.
- Address
- Units 302–305, Building 1, 3 Myeongji-gukje 2-ro 28beon-gil, Gangseo-gu, Busan
- Main Line
- 051-711-7991
- Clinic Hours
- Weekdays AM 10:00 ~ PM 07:30Saturday AM 10:00 ~ PM 03:00Sundays & Public Holidays Closed
- Treatment guide
- View Botox page
- Booking
- Naver Booking
REFERENCES
References
This article uses the clinic’s published information together with authoritative medical sources.
- Myongji Best Plastic Surgery ClinicSkin Botox information
Supports: Difference in injection layer and goal between standard Botox and skin Botox
Standard Botox is injected into muscle to soften expression lines, while skin Botox is injected shallowly into the dermis with the goal of managing skin texture.
- Myongji Best Plastic Surgery ClinicFiller information
Supports: How filler works, target concerns, procedure time, anesthesia, duration and recovery, and aftercare
Hyaluronic acid filler is injected into hollow or sunken areas to restore lost volume.
- Myongji Best Plastic Surgery ClinicNon-covered fee information
Supports: Published prices for wrinkle Botox and filler by product
Hitox wrinkles KRW 18,900, Coretox wrinkles KRW 44,000, Xeomin wrinkles KRW 88,000, Rejuviel 1cc KRW 150,000, Belotero 1cc KRW 250,000, Radiesse KRW 880,000
- American Academy of DermatologyBotulinum toxin therapy: FAQs
Supports: How wrinkle Botox works and how long it lasts, rare side effects, and difficulty breathing, swallowing or speaking
This temporarily relaxes the targeted muscles, causing fine lines and wrinkles to diminish. The effect lasts about 3 to 4 months — and sometimes longer.
- American Academy of DermatologyBotulinum toxin therapy: Overview
Supports: When Botox results appear
They like that most people see results within 3 to 7 days.
- American Academy of DermatologyFillers: FAQs
Supports: When filler results appear and common side effects
Most fillers fill the skin, so they produce immediate — or close to immediate — results.
- U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationDermal Fillers (Soft Tissue Fillers)
Supports: Fillers as medical device implants, duration varying by material and area, unevaluated safety when combined with Botox, delaying injection with inflammation, and signs that need immediate care
The safe use of these products in combination with neuromodulators ( "Botox") or other treatments has not been evaluated in a controlled, clinical study.
- PubMedA prospective, randomized, parallel group study analyzing the effect of BTX-A (Botox) and nonanimal sourced hyaluronic acid (NASHA, Restylane) in combination compared with NASHA (Restylane) alone in severe glabellar rhytides in adult female subjects
Carruthers J, Carruthers A. Dermatol Surg. 2003;29(8):802-809. doi:10.1046/j.1524-4725.2003.29212.x. PMID: 12859378
Supports: Duration with Botox plus filler versus filler alone in 38 women with deep frown lines
The median time for return to preinjection furrow status occurred at 18 weeks in the NASHA-alone group compared with 32 weeks for the BTX-A plus NASHA group.
- PubMedMulticenter, randomized, parallel-group study of the safety and effectiveness of onabotulinumtoxinA and hyaluronic acid dermal fillers (24-mg/ml smooth, cohesive gel) alone and in combination for lower facial rejuvenation
Carruthers A, Carruthers J, Monheit GD, Davis PG, Tardie G. Dermatol Surg. 2010;36 Suppl 4:2121-2134. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2010.01705.x. PMID: 21134044
Supports: Combined versus single Botox or filler treatment of the lower face in 90 women aged 35–55
Combination therapy is superior to either modality used alone.
- PubMedConsensus Recommendations for Combined Aesthetic Interventions in the Face Using Botulinum Toxin, Fillers, and Energy-Based Devices
Carruthers J, Burgess C, Day D, et al. Dermatol Surg. 2016;42(5):586-597. doi:10.1097/DSS.0000000000000754. PMID: 27100962
Supports: Expert consensus on order for same-day Botox and filler and spacing for separate treatments
Spacing consecutive treatments 1 to 2 weeks apart allows for resolution of side effects and/or to assess results. For same-day treatments, BoNT and fillers may be performed together in either sequence, whereas MFU-V is recommended before injectable agents.
Published 2026.10.20Last updated 2026.10.20