Anti-wrinkle injections relax the muscles that cause lines when your face moves. Dermal fillers add volume under the skin to soften folds, restore lost fullness and shape features like the lips. So injections work best on lines caused by movement, and fillers work best where volume has been lost.
That’s the short version. Most people who visit our Finchley clinic have heard of both but aren’t sure which one they need. It’s a fair question, because the two often get talked about as if they’re the same thing. They’re not. Here’s how each one works, what it treats, and how to tell which might suit you.
How anti-wrinkle injections work
Every time you frown, squint or raise your eyebrows, small muscles in your face tighten. Over the years, that repeated movement leaves creases in the skin. At first you only see them when you make an expression. Later, some of them stay even when your face is relaxed.
Anti-wrinkle injections contain a purified protein that blocks the signal from the nerve to the muscle. The muscle relaxes, so it can’t pull the skin into a crease as strongly. The skin above it looks smoother.
A few things worth knowing:
- Results aren’t instant. Most people notice a change after 3 to 5 days, with the full effect at around two weeks.
- Results usually last 3 to 4 months. After that, movement slowly returns.
- The treatment itself takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Done well, you still look like you. The aim is softer lines, not a frozen face.
Anti-wrinkle injections are a prescription-only medicine in the UK. You need a face-to-face consultation with a qualified prescriber before treatment. At our clinic, every treatment is carried out by a registered medical doctor.
How dermal fillers work
As we get older, our skin slowly loses collagen and some of its natural hyaluronic acid. The fat pads in our face also thin out and shift. This can lead to hollows, flatter cheeks, deeper folds and thinner lips.
Most dermal fillers, including Juvederm, are made from hyaluronic acid. Your body already makes this substance. It holds on to water, which is why it adds plumpness. When it’s placed in specific areas, it replaces lost volume or adds shape.
Fillers are often used for:
- Lips, for more volume or a better shape
- Nose-to-mouth lines (nasolabial folds)
- Cheeks that have lost fullness
- Lines at the corners of the mouth
- Under-eye hollows
- The jawline and chin
With fillers, you see a difference straight away. There may be some swelling for a few days, so the final look settles after about two weeks. Depending on the area and product, results usually last 6 to 18 months. Lips tend to be on the shorter side because they move so much.
One more thing people like to know: hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved if needed.
Side-by-side comparison
| Anti-wrinkle injections | Dermal fillers | |
| What it does | Relaxes muscles | Adds volume and shape |
| Best for | Lines from movement | Lost volume, folds, lips |
| Common areas | Forehead, frown lines, crow’s feet | Lips, cheeks, smile lines, chin, jaw |
| When you see results | 3 to 14 days | Straight away |
| How long it lasts | 3 to 4 months | 6 to 18 months |
| Downtime | Little to none | Possible swelling or bruising for a few days |
Which one is right for you?
Here’s a simple test. Look in the mirror and make a few expressions. Then relax your face.
If the lines mostly show up when you move, anti-wrinkle injections are usually the better fit. Think frown lines between the brows, forehead lines when you raise your eyebrows, or crow’s feet when you smile.
If the lines are there even when your face is still, or an area looks hollow, flat or thinner than it used to, fillers are more likely to help. This includes smile lines around the mouth, flatter cheeks and thinning lips.
As a rough guide:
- Forehead lines: anti-wrinkle injections
- Frown lines between the brows: anti-wrinkle injections
- Crow’s feet: anti-wrinkle injections
- Smile lines from nose to mouth: dermal fillers
- Thin or uneven lips: dermal fillers
- Hollow cheeks or under-eyes: dermal fillers
Your skin, age, face shape and goals all play a part too. Deep lines that have been there for years sometimes need a bit of both.
Can you have both together?
Yes, and plenty of people do. The two treatments work in different ways, so they don’t compete. Someone might have anti-wrinkle injections for forehead lines and fillers to bring back cheek volume, all as part of one plan.
Your doctor may suggest doing them on the same day or a couple of weeks apart. It depends on the areas and how your skin responds. What matters is that your whole face looks balanced, rather than chasing one line at a time.
Does it hurt?
Both use very fine needles, so most people describe it as a quick pinch. Many fillers also contain a local anaesthetic, and numbing cream can be used too. Some mild redness, swelling or small bruises are normal afterwards. These usually fade within a few days.
Get advice at a free consultation
The easiest way to know which treatment suits you is to talk it through with a doctor. At Finchley Cosmetic Salon in North London, we offer a free, no-obligation 1-1 consultation. We’ll look at your concerns, explain your options and give you an honest view. If you don’t need a treatment, we’ll tell you.
Every treatment is carried out by a fully qualified, registered doctor, and we look after you through aftercare too.
FAQs
Which lasts longer, fillers or anti-wrinkle injections?
Fillers usually last longer, around 6 to 18 months depending on the area. Anti-wrinkle injections usually last 3 to 4 months.
Which is better for forehead lines?
In most cases, anti-wrinkle injections, because forehead lines come from muscle movement.
Which is better for smile lines?
Dermal fillers are usually the better choice, since these lines mostly come from lost volume.
Is there any downtime?
Very little with either. Most people go back to work the same day. It’s best to avoid heavy exercise and alcohol for 24 hours.
What happens if I stop?
The effects wear off gradually, and your face returns to how it would have looked without treatment.
