Can I Get Botox and Fillers at the Same Time?

From your favorite social media influencer to TV and magazine ads to your best friend, you’re bombarded with the terms Botox® and dermal fillers, and you have more than a few questions, like:

What’s the difference?
How do they work?
What do they treat?
Can they be used together?

You’ve come to the right place for the answers. Board-certified plastic surgeon Frederick H. Watkins, MD, specializes in refining and perfecting faces and bodies from his offices in McLean, Virginia, and Rockville, Maryland. But he doesn’t always recommend surgery to achieve your goals.

Botox and fillers can do wonders for minor signs of aging, and no one is better qualified to navigate your complex facial anatomy than an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Watkins.

Here’s his advice for those considering Botox, fillers, or both.

The difference between Botox and dermal fillers

Botox and dermal fillers are two distinct treatments that address different aspects of facial aging.

Botox

Botox is a neuromodulator that blocks nerve signals in the muscles where we inject it. The solution prevents those muscles from contracting, which reduces the appearance of dynamic wrinkles — the lines that form due to facial expressions such as frowning or squinting.

Dr. Watkins also uses another neuromodulator called Jeuveau®. Like Botox, Jeuveau halts muscle contractions, but it’s only approved to treat the lines between your eyebrows called glabellar lines. Jeuveau may work a little faster than Botox for some patients, but the difference is only a day or two. Dr. Watkins can help you decide which is best for you.

Dermal fillers

Radiesse®, Juvéderm®, and Restylane® don’t affect your facial muscles at all. Instead, they work by adding volume to the recessed areas of your face. Dr. Watkins injects the filler beneath your skin to smooth out static wrinkles — the lines that are present even when your face is at rest. These fillers can also enhance your lips and cheeks.

Botox and fillers work and play well together

While neuromodulators are excellent for treating areas in your upper face, we typically use fillers for your mid to lower face. Combining these treatments can provide a more comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation, addressing both dynamic and static wrinkles for a smoother, more youthful appearance.

Since different areas of your face call for different treatments, we may recommend one treatment type, either neuromodulators or fillers, or suggest a combination.

For example, we use Botox or Jeuveau to smooth out your forehead, the area between your brows, and around your eyes, but we turn to fillers for your cheeks, lips, and mouth.

Combining these treatments — often called a liquid facial — can help you achieve more balanced and natural-looking results.

Choosing the right professional for Botox and fillers

The success of your treatment largely depends on the skill and experience of the professional administering it. When considering Botox and dermal fillers, do yourself a favor and seek the services of a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Watkins. He has the training and expertise to ensure a safe procedure and optimal results.

When you’re ready to try Botox, fillers, or both, call our team at either location today or book an appointment online for expert advice and exceptional results.