Wrinkle-relaxing treatment and dermal fillers solve different problems. Wrinkle-relaxing treatment softens lines caused by muscle movement, like frown lines and crow's feet. Dermal fillers add volume under the skin to restore shape or fill lines that are there even when your face is still.
Both are injectables, and both are done in a short appointment, which is why people often mix them up. The easiest way to choose is to look in the mirror with a relaxed face and then with an expression.
How Wrinkle-Relaxing Treatment Works
Wrinkle-relaxing treatment relaxes specific muscles so they cannot pull as hard on the skin above them. The lines that form when you frown, squint or raise your brows soften, and new ones stop deepening as quickly.
It is best for lines that appear or get worse with expression. It does not add volume, and it will not lift a hollow or plump a lip.
How Dermal Fillers Work
Dermal fillers are soft gels placed under the skin. Many are based on hyaluronic acid, a substance your skin already contains. They add volume where it has been lost or where you want more definition.
Fillers are commonly used for cheeks, lips, the folds beside the nose and mouth, and lines that stay visible at rest. They do not stop the muscle movement that creates expression lines.
Side by Side
| Wrinkle-relaxing treatment | Dermal fillers | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Relaxes muscle movement | Adds volume and shape |
| Best for | Forehead lines, frown lines, crow's feet | Cheeks, lips, folds, lines at rest |
| When you see it | Gradually, with full effect in about two weeks | Right away, settling over the following weeks |
| How long it lasts | Usually three to four months | Varies by product and area, often longer |
A Simple Way to Tell
- Lines that show when you move and fade when you relax usually point to wrinkle-relaxing treatment.
- Lines or hollows that are there at rest usually point to filler, or to skin care and sun protection.
- Some areas need both. A deep frown line can be softened by relaxing the muscle, then smoothed further with a small amount of filler.
Can You Combine Them?
Yes. Many people treat expression lines in the upper face and restore volume in the mid or lower face in the same plan. Whether that happens in one visit or two, and in what order, is up to your injector.
Treatment is decided at a consult with a licensed provider. A good injector will tell you when one option will do the job on its own, and when neither is the right answer.
Talk It Through in Canmore
We see clients from Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise and across the Bow Valley. If you are not sure which option fits, send us a note about what you would like to change and we will come back to you.
You can also call (825) 804-4951, read about our injectables for Banff and Canmore clients, or see how long wrinkle-relaxing treatment lasts.