The quick answer
Anti-wrinkle injections relax the muscles that cause expression lines: the forehead, the frown lines between your brows and the crow’s feet around your eyes. Dermal filler restores volume and structure that fades with age: cheeks, smile lines, marionette lines, jawline, chin and lips. A rough rule: if a line appears when you move and fades when you relax, it is usually a job for anti-wrinkle injections. If it is there at rest, or the real problem is hollowness or sagging, filler is more likely the answer. Plenty of faces over 40 have a bit of both, which is why the two are so often combined. Whichever you are considering, everyone is assessed face to face first.
There is more detail on the anti-wrinkle injections page and the dermal filler page.
Anti-wrinkle injections and dermal filler side by side
| At a glance | Anti-wrinkle injections | Dermal filler |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Small, precise injections into the muscles behind expression lines | A hyaluronic acid gel placed beneath the skin |
| What it does | Relaxes facial tension so lines soften and skin looks smoother | Restores volume and structure to lift, define and balance the face |
| Best for | Forehead lines, frown lines, crow’s feet; also lip flip, gummy smile, jawline and neck, teeth grinding | Cheeks, smile lines, marionette lines, jowls, jawline, chin, temples, under-eye hollows, lips |
| Sessions | One appointment, with a review 2 to 4 weeks later | Usually one appointment; under-eye filler includes a review after 2 weeks |
| When results show | 5 to 7 days | Straight away, settling over about 2 weeks as any swelling goes down |
| How long it lasts | Typically 3 months, up to 6 months for some areas | Most last 6 to 18 months, depending on the area; chin filler 12 to 24 months |
| Downtime | Little: small bumps or redness for up to an hour; bruising is possible | Some swelling and possible bruising for a few days |
| Price from | £180 for one area | £220 for 1ml |
Which is right for me?
Try this in front of a mirror. Frown, raise your eyebrows and smile hard. Then relax your face completely and look again.
Lines that suit anti-wrinkle injections appear when you move:
- forehead lines
- frown lines between the brows
- crow’s feet around the eyes
- a gummy smile, or an upper lip you would like a touch more defined (a lip flip)
- lines on the neck and a softening jawline, with the jawline and neck lift
- jaw clenching and teeth grinding
Lines and changes that suit dermal filler are there at rest:
- smile lines running from the nose to the corners of the mouth
- marionette lines and downturned corners of the mouth
- flat or hollow cheeks, and temples that look sunken
- under-eye hollows and shadows
- a jawline or chin that has lost definition
- lips that have thinned (see lip filler)
Where it is often both. Deep frown lines that are still visible when your face is relaxed: relaxing the muscle stops it creasing the skin, so the line has a chance to soften. And the lower face, where filler adds structure along the jawline and anti-wrinkle treatment can give a lifting effect to the jawline and neck.
Your forehead and your cheeks might need completely different things. That is normal, and it is exactly what the assessment is for.
Everyone is assessed face to face first
Anti-wrinkle injections are only ever given after a face-to-face assessment, booked as its own short appointment before your first treatment. At your treatment I look at how your face moves as well as how it looks at rest, go through your medical history, and agree a plan with you before anything happens.
Filler is planned just as carefully. I assess and measure your facial proportions so the result is balanced and natural looking. For me, a great treatment is one that has friends and family struggling to place what has changed. They just tell you that you look fresh.
Can I have both?
Yes, and it is one of the most popular ways to treat the face. Anti-wrinkle injections soften the lines you make; filler restores what time has taken away. Used together, neither has to do the other’s job.
My Anti-Wrinkle & Filler Package combines three areas of anti-wrinkle treatment with 2ml of filler for £577, saving £43 on booking them separately. It is the perfect anti-ageing combination to keep you looking fresh for months. A third ml of filler is a £30 uplift.
Once you have been assessed, both can usually be done at the same appointment. If we split them, I will usually do the anti-wrinkle treatment first and add filler once it has settled, around two weeks later.
Want to improve your skin quality at the same time? The Ultimate Anti-Ageing Package adds two sessions of Profhilo to three areas of anti-wrinkle treatment and 2ml of filler, for £857. If it is mainly volume you have lost, the lower face, mid face and full face rejuvenation packages use filler alone.
How much do anti-wrinkle injections and dermal filler cost?
Anti-wrinkle injections:
- 1 area: £180
- 2 areas: £200
- 3 areas: £250
- Full face: £497
- Extra areas, when booked alongside 3 areas: £50 each
Dermal filler:
- Lip filler: £175
- 1ml for cheeks, smile or marionette lines, jowls, temples or chin: £220
- 2ml: £370
- Under-eye (tear trough) filler: £300
- Filler dissolving: £150
The Anti-Wrinkle & Filler Package is £577, and a consultation is £30, fully redeemable against treatment on the day. Everything is done at my clinic on Pentonville Road, a short walk from King’s Cross St Pancras.
Frequently asked questions
Is dermal filler the same as anti-wrinkle injections?
No. Anti-wrinkle injections relax the muscles that cause expression lines. Dermal filler is a hyaluronic acid gel that restores volume and structure. They are different treatments that do different jobs, and they work well together.
Which is better for forehead lines?
Anti-wrinkle injections. Forehead lines come from the muscle that lifts your brows, so relaxing it softens the lines. Results show in 5 to 7 days.
Which is better for smile lines?
Usually filler. Smile lines, from the nose to the corners of the mouth, are more about volume and support than muscle movement. Filler in the line itself, or in the cheeks above it, can help soften them.
Will I look frozen or overfilled?
Not if I am doing my job. I work with your natural features to gently enhance them, never to change your face. Doses are tailored to you, and the review appointment 2 to 4 weeks after anti-wrinkle treatment is there to fine-tune if needed.
Can filler be dissolved?
Yes. Unwanted hyaluronic acid filler can be safely dissolved using hyaluronidase. It is recommended to wait 2 to 4 weeks before refilling the area.
Which lasts longer?
Filler. Anti-wrinkle injections typically last around 3 months, and up to 6 months for some areas. Most filler lasts 6 to 18 months, depending on the area, and chin filler typically lasts 12 to 24 months.
Ready to book?
Because everyone is assessed first, the best first step is a consultation. We will talk through your goals, and you will leave with a tailored plan and prices.
Already know you want filler? You can book dermal filler directly, and I will assess and measure your face at the start of the appointment.