Anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers are two of the most popular cosmetic injectable treatments for the signs of ageing. They are often mentioned together and are sometimes confused, but they work in very different ways and suit different concerns. This article explains what each treatment is, how it works, how long it lasts and how the two compare. It also covers the skincare and other non-injectable alternatives worth knowing about if you would rather avoid needles.
What Are Dermal Fillers and How Do They Work?
Dermal fillers are a soft, gel-like substance that a practitioner injects beneath the skin. They help restore volume to different areas of the face, such as the cheeks, mouth and lips. As well as restoring volume, dermal fillers can smooth out lines and soften creases in the skin. Many people have them as a wrinkle treatment because they replace lost volume and fill in hollows, folds and creases. This creates a smoother, more youthful look with natural-looking results. The procedure is minimally invasive and outcomes are visible straight away. Whilst the results are temporary, there is no commitment to repeating the treatment. Once the filler wears off, the face simply returns to how it was.
There are several different types of dermal filler, but hyaluronic acid is the most commonly used. It is a natural substance found in the body, so it has a low risk of allergy. It is also temporary and dissolvable, which makes it safer. All fillers add volume to specific parts of the face and can minimise the appearance of wrinkles or fine lines. The common areas where people have dermal fillers include:
- The lips to restore shape and smooth the outline.
- The cheeks to replace lost volume and soften nose to mouth lines.
- The jawline to restore structure and shape, as well as to treat jowls and sagging.
- Around the mouth to treat smokers lines, marionette lines and nose to mouth lines.
- The under eyes to treat hollows, circles and bags, as well as to smooth lines.
Depending on the goals, a practitioner may use a series of injections to target lines and wrinkles directly. They can also soften the appearance indirectly by treating the surrounding areas. A qualified practitioner usually numbs the area with an anaesthetic cream before the injection, which makes the process more comfortable.
Benefits of Dermal Fillers
There are many benefits of dermal fillers, which is why so many people opt for this type of treatment. The main reasons include:
- A natural look: Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers help restore lost facial volume and lift deep wrinkles and folds for a natural result.
- Reversible results: The procedure is not permanent. Fillers dissolve over a period of months and are absorbed by the body. A practitioner can also reverse hyaluronic acid fillers immediately if needed. This makes them safer to use and means you can undo the effects if you do not like the results.
- Smoother skin: By adding volume and support, fillers can soften the appearance of fine lines, scarring and wrinkles.
- A confidence boost: Many people report feeling more confident once they have achieved the look they wanted.
- Minimal downtime: The procedure requires no surgery and recovery is minimal, so you can usually resume your normal activities soon afterwards.
What Are Anti-Wrinkle Injections and How Do They Work?
Anti-wrinkle injections are a popular procedure used to minimise the appearance of lines, wrinkles and other signs of ageing. The injection relaxes the muscles in the face that cause wrinkles to form. The typical areas treated are the forehead, the area around the eyes and the frown lines between the brows. This treatment is very effective for dynamic wrinkles, which are the ones that appear when you express your face. However, it cannot eliminate ingrained wrinkles or treat deep lines and folds, such as those around the mouth or jowls. Volume loss causes these.
There are several different types of anti-wrinkle injection. The most commonly used is Botox, which is one of several brands of botulinum toxin type A. These injections relax the muscles that cause wrinkles very effectively, particularly in the upper face, around the eyes and in the neck. Practitioners sometimes combine them with dermal fillers in specialist treatments. Examples include treating vertical lip lines or performing a non-surgical brow lift.
Benefits of Anti-Wrinkle Injections
Much like dermal fillers, anti-wrinkle injections have a long list of benefits. The main ones include:
- Minimal downtime: The procedure requires no surgery, and because the effect is not permanent you do not have to commit to a lasting change in your appearance.
- Rejuvenated skin: Once the treatment takes effect, the skin looks smoother and fresher.
- A youthful, natural look: By reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, the treatment helps create a natural, more youthful look.
- Quick results: Unlike topical anti-ageing products, anti-wrinkle injections work relatively quickly, with results often visible within a couple of weeks.
- No recovery time: You can usually resume your normal activities straight away, with no need to book time off.
What’s the Difference Between Dermal Fillers and Anti-Wrinkle Injections?
Some people struggle to tell dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections apart. On the surface, the two share some similarities. Both are minimally invasive, both require no surgery and both aim to target lines and wrinkles. However, the way they work is very different. One big difference is that dermal fillers add volume to the face, whilst anti-wrinkle injections do not.
Anti-wrinkle injections are only effective on facial lines caused by muscle movement. They relax the muscles in the targeted area, which reduces movement and helps to soften fine lines. Dermal fillers, by contrast, plump out the skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Whilst both are temporary, the effects of anti-wrinkle injections usually take 2 to 3 weeks to appear. They are not reversible until they wear off, which is usually within 3 to 4 months. The outcomes of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are usually visible straight away. Although they can last much longer, a practitioner can dissolve them with hyalase injections if needed.
Both are valuable in treating the signs of skin ageing. Anti-wrinkle injections are excellent for wrinkles caused by muscle movement, particularly in the upper face and around the eyes. Dermal fillers are especially useful for deep lines such as marionette lines and nasolabial folds. They also replace lost volume in the middle and lower face. More often than not, people use the two in combination. Together they restore a youthful appearance and help prevent further lines and wrinkles.
How Long Do Anti-Wrinkle Injections and Dermal Fillers Last?
Anti-wrinkle injections are not permanent and wear off after a few months. On average, the effect lasts for around 3 to 4 months. People who are new to the treatment are often advised to have it three to four times in the first year. This keeps the effects topped up. Many find they eventually need less frequent top-ups, as the muscles stay relaxed and the effect lasts longer each time.
How long a dermal filler lasts depends on several factors, including your skin type, the filler used and the area injected. The effects usually last between 6 and 18 months. To maintain the look, you would need further injections, which a qualified practitioner would discuss with you at a consultation.
Alternatives to Anti-Wrinkle Injections and Dermal Fillers
Both anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers are injectable procedures that only a qualified medical practitioner should perform. If you would prefer to avoid needles, or want to support your results between treatments, there are non-injectable options worth knowing about:
- Topical skincare: Prescription retinoids like tretinoin stimulate collagen and improve fine lines and skin texture over time. Randomised controlled trials show clear improvements in photoaged skin. Over-the-counter retinol, peptides, vitamin C and daily sunscreen all support skin quality and help prevent further ageing. These work on the skin rather than the muscle, so they soften the overall picture without freezing movement or adding volume.
- Professional non-injectable treatments: Chemical peels, microneedling, radiofrequency and ultrasound skin tightening and laser resurfacing improve texture, firmness and mild laxity through collagen stimulation. Like skincare, they treat skin quality rather than muscle movement or volume. So they address a different part of the ageing picture to injectables. For a fuller breakdown of needle-free options, our post on the best alternatives to Botox goes into more detail.
City Skin Clinic is an online clinic. This means we do not offer injectable treatments like anti-wrinkle injections or dermal fillers. However, many signs of skin ageing respond well to prescription topical treatment. This often works as a first step, or as a way to maintain skin quality alongside other treatments. Our doctors offer custom topical skin treatments for skin ageing using ingredients like tretinoin and niacinamide where appropriate. If you are interested in a personalised skincare treatment please use our online skin consultation form or book a video consultation. The journey towards great skin starts here.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified medical professional with any concerns about your skin or treatment options.
