Juvéderm vs Botox: Different Jobs, Often Used Together

Juvéderm and Botox are the two most common injectable treatments, and they are often mentioned in the same breath, but they do completely different jobs. Botox relaxes the muscles that crease your skin when you frown, squint or raise your brows. Juvéderm is a hyaluronic acid filler that replaces lost volume and fills lines that are there even when your face is still. Many people benefit from both.

Here is how to tell which one your lines need, how the two compare on results, timing, cost and side effects, and when combining them makes sense.

The key difference: movement lines vs volume loss

A simple test: look in the mirror and relax your face completely. Lines that disappear at rest and appear when you make an expression are dynamic lines, which Botox treats. Lines and hollows that are still there at rest are static lines or volume loss, which filler treats. Deep frown lines that have been there for years can be both, and often do best with Botox first and a little filler later.

Which treatment for which area?

Concern	Usually treated with
Frown lines (“11s”)	Botox; filler for deep, etched lines
Forehead lines	Botox
Crow’s feet	Botox
Smile lines (nose to mouth)	Filler, often with cheek filler for support
Marionette lines	Filler; Botox can relax the muscle that pulls the corners down
Thin lips	Filler; a Botox lip flip for a subtle upper-lip turn-out
Lip lines	Soft filler, sometimes with a few units of Botox
Flat cheeks, weak chin, soft jawline	Filler
Square jaw, teeth grinding	Botox in the masseter muscles

About Botox

Botox Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) blocks the nerve signal that tells a muscle to contract. It is FDA-approved for frown lines (2002), crow’s feet (2013), forehead lines (2017) and, more recently, the vertical neck bands of the platysma muscle. Treatment takes about 10 to 15 minutes with a very fine needle, and there is no downtime. Results start in 3 to 5 days, peak at about 2 weeks and wear off gradually over 3 to 4 months. Dysport, Xeomin and Daxxify are similar products; see our Dysport vs Botox guide.

About Juvéderm

Juvéderm is a family of hyaluronic acid fillers, each made for a different job. Firm gels such as Voluma and Volux lift the cheeks, chin and jaw; Vollure and Ultra Plus smooth deeper folds; Volbella and Ultra are softer, for lips and fine lines. Most contain lidocaine for comfort. Results are visible straight away, and because hyaluronic acid can be dissolved with an enzyme, results can be adjusted if needed. At Glow Theory we also use the Restylane collection and Revanesse Versa, so your injector can choose the best gel for each area. Read more in our Juvéderm Voluma guide.

Side effects compared

• Botox: small bumps and redness at injection points for an hour or so, occasional bruising or headache, and, uncommonly, a heavy brow or drooping eyelid for a few weeks if the product affects a nearby muscle.
• Juvéderm: swelling, tenderness, bruising and small lumps for a few days to 2 weeks. Rarely, filler can block a blood vessel, which needs urgent treatment; choose a medical injector who keeps filler dissolver on hand.
• Not for: neither is given during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Tell your injector about neuromuscular conditions, allergies, blood thinners and cold sores.

Can you get Juvéderm and Botox together?

Yes. It is common to treat the upper face with Botox and the mid and lower face with filler in the same visit or a couple of weeks apart. A typical combination is Botox for frown lines and crow’s feet with cheek filler to lift the midface and soften smile lines. Your injector will plan the order based on the areas treated.

Cost at Glow Theory

Botox is priced per unit; members pay $11.90 per unit. Filler is priced per syringe or area. Botox costs less per visit but is repeated every 3 to 4 months, while filler costs more per visit but lasts about a year or longer. See our guide to how many units of Botox you might need.

Botox and fillers in Carlsbad

Not sure which you need? Our injectors will look at your face at rest and in motion and recommend Botox, filler, both or neither. See Botox in Carlsbad and dermal fillers in Carlsbad, read about smile lines and facial volume loss, or book a consultation at our South Carlsbad studio on El Camino Real.