Neuromodulators vs. Dermal Fillers: How to Choose
Neuromodulators and dermal fillers are the two most common injectable treatments — and they’re often confused. The short version: neuromodulators relax the muscles that create movement lines, while dermal fillers restore volume and contour. Here’s how to tell which one fits your goals.
What neuromodulators do
Neuromodulators (the injections commonly known as Botox®) temporarily relax specific muscles. They’re ideal for dynamic lines — the ones that appear when you move, such as frown lines, forehead lines and crow’s feet. Results appear over a few days and typically last about three to four months.
What dermal fillers do
Dermal fillers — usually hyaluronic acid — add volume beneath the skin. They’re ideal for static concerns you see at rest: lost cheek volume, deeper folds, under-eye hollows, thin lips or undefined contours. Depending on the product and area, results can last roughly six to eighteen months, and many hyaluronic-acid fillers can be dissolved if needed.
Quick comparison
- Mechanism: neuromodulators relax muscles; fillers add volume.
- Best for: neuromodulators for movement lines; fillers for volume & contour.
- Onset: neuromodulators over a few days; fillers immediately (with some settling).
- Duration: neuromodulators about 3–4 months; fillers about 6–18 months.
Can you combine them?
Often, yes — and many natural-looking results come from doing exactly that. Relaxing movement lines while restoring lost volume can refresh the whole face more harmoniously than either treatment alone. This is where a full-face assessment matters: our physician-led team uses the MD Codes approach to decide what — if anything — each area needs. Explore our neuromodulator and dermal filler treatments.
Not sure which is right for you? Book a consultation at Montréal, Ottawa or Terrebonne — book online.
Frequently asked questions
Which comes first if I need both?
That’s decided during your assessment based on your priorities and anatomy — there’s no one-size-fits-all order.
Do fillers or neuromodulators look more natural?
Both look natural when dosed and placed well. Natural results come from judgment and technique, not the product itself.
Are the results permanent?
No — both are temporary. Neuromodulators last about three to four months; fillers roughly six to eighteen months depending on the product and area.