Botox vs Filler — Which Is Right for Your Wrinkles?

Last updated 2026-10-28

⏱Treatment time

Botox 5–15 minutes / filler 10–30 minutes (about 1 hour including consultation and numbing cream)

✋Pain

Both feel like a slight sting from a fine needle; filler is done after numbing cream

🩹Downtime

Botox: almost none / filler: swelling for 2–3 days, and about 1 week if bruising occurs

🏨Recommended stay

Botox only: same day / with filler: 2–3 days recommended

✨Results begin

Botox: starts in 2–3 days, peaks at 2 weeks / filler: immediately, settles at 2 weeks

📅How long it lasts

Botox 3–6 months / filler 6 months to 1+ year (varies by area, product and individual)

🔁Sessions

1 session each, repeated when the effect fades (at least 3 months apart recommended for Botox)

Send photos of your neutral and expressive face and we'll tell you — free — whether Botox or filler suits youGet a free consultation →

Contents

Side-by-side comparison
How it works — why results appear at different times
Choosing by wrinkle type — expression lines vs static lines and hollows
Which is right for each area
Comparing onset, duration and downtime
When to have both, and in what order
Planning your trip
Confirming genuine products — see for yourself
Aftercare and warning signs
Questions to ask at your consultation
How to choose a clinic

Side-by-side comparison

	Botox	Filler
In a nutshell	Relaxes moving muscles to smooth folding lines	Fills in hollow or sunken areas to create volume
Main ingredient	Botulinum toxin (a muscle relaxant)	Mainly hyaluronic acid (a substance naturally found in skin)
How it works	Temporarily reduces nerve-to-muscle signals	Adds volume where it is injected
Best for	Forehead, frown and eye-corner expression lines, square jaw, trapezius	Nasolabial folds, hollow under-eyes and cheeks, short chin, low nose, thin lips
When results show	Starts after 2–3 days, peaks at 2 weeks	Immediately
Reversibility	Gradually wears off over time	Hyaluronic acid filler can be corrected with a dissolving enzyme

Put simply, lines that only appear when you make an expression are a job for Botox, while hollows and sunken areas that show even at rest are a job for filler. Many people have both, so many choose to have them together.

How it works — why results appear at different times

Botox is injected in small amounts into the muscles that create wrinkles, temporarily weakening them. When the muscle contracts less, the skin above it folds less and the wrinkle looks smoother. Because it takes time for nerve signals to decrease, the effect begins after 2–3 days and is most noticeable at about 2 weeks. Over time the nerve connection recovers and the effect fades naturally.

Filler is a gel product placed under the skin or close to the bone to fill in volume. The shape appears right away in proportion to what is placed, so you see the result immediately, and the final shape settles at about 2 weeks as swelling goes down. Hyaluronic acid is slowly absorbed by the body and gradually decreases over time.

An easy way to remember it: Botox is a treatment that subtracts (it reduces movement), and filler is one that adds (it adds volume).

Choosing by wrinkle type — expression lines vs static lines and hollows

Check simply in front of a mirror

Look straight ahead with a neutral face. If the wrinkles are barely visible and only appear when you frown or smile, they are expression lines, and Botox suits them well.
If lines remain even with a neutral face, they are static lines. They have been folded for so long that they are etched into the skin, so Botox alone may not smooth them out completely.
If it looks less like a wrinkle and more like a shadow or a sunken hollow, it is a lack of volume, and filler suits it well.
If cheek tissue has dropped so that the nasolabial folds and jawline look deeper, that is sagging. In this case, lifting is considered together rather than filler alone.

For static lines, a common approach is to first reduce muscle movement with Botox, then add filler or a skin booster to the remaining line after 2 weeks. If you are unsure which applies, send us photos of your neutral and frowning expressions.

Which is right for each area

Area	Botox	Filler
Forehead	Horizontal expression lines	Volume if the forehead is flat or sunken; softening deeply etched lines
Between the brows	Vertical lines when frowning (the standard choice)	Deep lines that remain after Botox (many blood vessels here, so skill matters)
Eye corners	Crow's feet that appear when smiling	—
Under the eyes	—	Hollows and shadows (if the cause is bulging fat, a different treatment may suit better)
Nasolabial folds	—	Deep nasolabial folds (add lifting if cheek sagging is the cause)
Mouth and mouth corners	Relaxing the muscle that pulls the mouth corners down	Lines beside the mouth corners (marionette lines)
Chin	Dimpled, bumpy wrinkles when the chin tightens	Bringing a short or recessed chin forward
Nose	—	Raising the bridge and tip (reshaping without surgery)
Lips	—	Volume and contour
Square jaw and jawline	Reduces the overdeveloped chewing muscle for a slimmer look	Sometimes used to refine an angular jawline and the side-jaw line
Temples and front of the cheeks	—	Hollow temples, flat front cheeks
Neck	Vertical muscle bands	Horizontal neck lines (sometimes combined with a skin booster)

Even for the same area, the answer depends on the cause. For example, a drooping mouth corner is often treated by relaxing the muscle with Botox, and the line beside the mouth corner by filling it with filler, using both together.

Comparing onset, duration and downtime

	Botox	Filler
Onset	After 2–3 days	Immediately
Final result	About 2 weeks	About 2 weeks (after swelling subsides)
Duration	Wrinkles 3–4 months, square jaw about 4–6 months	6 months to 1+ year (shorter for lips, longer for nose and chin)
Downtime	Almost none	Swelling 2–3 days, about 1 week if bruising occurs
Touch-up	Check symmetry and remaining wrinkles after 2 weeks	Small top-up if needed after 2 weeks
Interval to next treatment	At least 3 months recommended	When the effect fades (usually several months or more)

Duration varies widely depending on the product, dose, area, age, muscle strength and metabolism. The figures above are general ranges and results are not guaranteed.

When to have both, and in what order

Many people have both treatments when expression lines and static lines occur together, as on the forehead or between the brows, or when they are concerned about both crow's feet and hollow nasolabial folds. The two do different jobs, so they complement each other.

Method	Best when
Both on the same day	The areas are different (e.g. Botox at the eye corners + filler for nasolabial folds), or your stay is short
Botox first → filler after 2 weeks	Deep lines in the same area (between the brows, forehead, etc.). Once the muscle is relaxed, only the remaining line can be filled precisely
Botox only first	Mostly expression lines with little hollowing; decide on filler after seeing the result

The order and areas for same-day treatment are decided by the doctor after examination. Do not press hard on the filler area that day, and do not rub the Botox area.

Planning your trip

If you are having Botox only

Schedule	Details
Day 1	Consultation → Botox (about 15 minutes). You can go sightseeing right away
From the next day	You can fly. At week 2, send expression photos to check the result

Botox + filler (2 nights, 3 days or more)

Day 1
Arrive → consultation → Botox and filler. Rest at your accommodation in the evening and avoid alcohol and saunas.
Day 2
Light sightseeing and shopping are fine. Cover swelling or bruising with a mask or concealer.
Day 3
Have the filler shape checked at the clinic before leaving, then fly home
2 weeks after returning home
Send photos of a front-facing neutral face and a frowning expression, and we will advise whether a touch-up or adjustment is needed.

If you have an important event such as a wedding or photo shoot, have the treatment at least 2 weeks before. Botox reaches its peak and filler swelling goes down at about 2 weeks.

Tell us your travel dates and we'll plan the order and schedule for having Botox and filler togetherGet a free consultation →

Confirming genuine products — see for yourself

Both Botox and filler are products that go inside the body where you cannot see them. A reputable clinic will not mind the requests below.

At the consultation, confirm the product name and amount to be used (units per area for Botox, cc/ml for filler).
Just before treatment, ask for a new product to be opened in front of you.
Check the product name, amount, expiry date and domestic approval marking on the label of the box, vial and syringe.
After treatment, ask to see the empty vial or syringe and the product information sticker, and take a photo of them.
Check whether the product name is listed in the itemized treatment bill.

A KBEAU manager accompanies you into the treatment room and helps by interpreting while the product is opened and the labels are checked. We cannot say that one specific product is better than another; what matters more is whether the product suits the area and purpose.

Aftercare and warning signs

On the day of treatment, do not press or rub the treated area. Avoid massage and gua sha for about 2 weeks.
Do not lie down or lie face-down for 4 hours after Botox.
Avoid saunas, jjimjilbang and hot baths for about 1 week, and alcohol for at least 1–2 days. Move any jjimjilbang plans to before your treatment.
On strong-sun days, use a hat and sunscreen to reduce swelling and pigment irritation.
Most people can fly the next day, but after nose filler, do not let glasses or a sleep mask press on your nose.

When to contact us right away

If the filler area or surrounding skin turns white or blotchy purple, if pain keeps getting worse, or if your vision becomes blurry
If your eyelid droops after Botox, or swallowing or speaking becomes difficult

Vascular complications from filler are rare, but the sooner they are found, the better the outcome. If anything seems wrong after you return home, send us a photo. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a neuromuscular condition, or have inflammation at the treatment site, let us know in advance.

Questions to ask at your consultation

Are my wrinkles expression lines, or static lines and hollows? Do I need Botox or filler?
What product name and amount will be used for each area?
Is it better to have both on the same day, or leave a 2-week gap?
I want a natural result. Can it be adjusted so my expression doesn't look stiff?
What happens if the result is uneven or I'm unhappy with the shape after I go home?
I've had Botox or filler before. Is there anything to take into account?

How to choose a clinic

Does the doctor examine you personally and explain the cause of the wrinkle (muscle, hollowing or sagging)?
Do they avoid pushing areas or amounts you don't need?
Do they gladly agree to open the product in front of you and let you check the label?
Are they prepared for filler vascular complications, with emergency measures such as a dissolving enzyme?
Do they offer foreign-language service and follow-up of your progress by photo after you return home?

KBEAU connects you with partner clinics in Gangnam and Apgujeong that perform Botox and filler. If you send photos of your neutral and expressive face, we will let you know in advance which treatment suits you, whether to have both, and the schedule. On the day, a dedicated manager stays with you, from confirming the genuine product through to interpreting.

Partner clinics offering this treatment

IS-ON CLINICSeoul Apgujeong레이저와 리프팅 · 보톡스 · 필러 · 스킨부스터 등 비수술적 시술과 상안검을 비롯한 성형수술 NANA Dermatology ClinicSeoul Apgujeong리프팅 · 타이트닝 · 입술 필러 · 울쎄라 JUAN CLINICGangnam, Seoul리프팅 · 흉터 · 줄기세포 · 잔주름 VOS Dermatology ClinicGangnam, Seoul울쎄라 · 쥬베룩 · 라풀렌 윤곽고정술 · 써마지 IEUL SKIN CLINICGangnam, Seoul색소 미백 · 난치성 반점 · 탄력 개선 리프팅 · 여드름 흉터 CARAMEL PLASTIC SURGERYGangnam, Seoul성형외과 · 눈성형 · 코성형 · 코 재수술 ICON PLASTIC SURGERYSeoul Apgujeong성형외과 · 눈성형 · 코성형 · 안면윤곽 NEXT Plastic Surgery ClinicGangnam, Seoul가슴성형 · 가슴재수술 · 체형 & 힙업 · 눈성형

Frequently asked questions

What is the biggest difference between Botox and filler?

Botox reduces muscle movement to smooth expression lines, while filler adds volume to sunken or hollow areas. Because the causes differ, you choose based on the type of wrinkle.

Does Botox work for nasolabial folds?

Nasolabial folds are mostly caused by loss of volume or sagging, so filler is mainly used rather than Botox. If cheek sagging is significant, lifting is considered as well.

Which one is right for frown lines?

If they appear only when you frown, Botox is the standard choice. If a deep line remains even with a neutral face, a small amount of filler is often added 2 weeks after Botox.

Can I have both on the same day?

If the areas are different, many people have both on the same day. For a deep wrinkle in the same area, there is also the option of Botox first and filler 2 weeks later, and the doctor decides after examination.

Which one lasts longer?

Generally filler lasts longer. Botox lasts 3–6 months and filler 6 months to 1+ year depending on the area and product, but individual differences are large.

How many days do I need to stay in Korea?

If you only have Botox, a same-day visit is possible. If you also have filler, we recommend 2–3 days to check swelling and the shape.

Can I fly the day after treatment?

Most people can. On the plane, do not press on the treated area, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol.

What if I don't like the result?

Botox wears off over time, and can be adjusted with a touch-up after 2 weeks. Hyaluronic acid filler can be corrected with a dissolving enzyme.

How do I check that the product is genuine?

Before treatment, check that a new product is opened and the label (product name, amount, expiry date), and after treatment ask to see the empty vial or syringe or the product sticker. Your manager will check together with you.

Will my expression look stiff?

By adjusting the Botox dose and placement and the amount of filler to suit your face, you can expect a natural result. Tell us how much change you want at your consultation.