Botox vs dermal filler at a glance

These are the two most common injectables in aesthetic medicine, and they are often confused. They solve different problems. Wrinkle Botox relaxes the muscles that fold the skin into lines when you frown, squint or raise your brows. Dermal filler restores volume that has been lost, softening folds and refining contours.

Feature	Wrinkle Botox	Dermal Filler
Technology	Botulinum toxin type A (Korean or imported brands)	Cross-linked hyaluronic acid gel (Korean or imported brands)
How it works / target depth	Injected into expression muscles to soften lines caused by movement	Placed under the skin or near bone to add volume and shape
Best for	Forehead lines, frown lines, crow's feet	Smile lines, hollow cheeks, chin, temples, under-eye hollows
Comfort	A few quick fine-needle injections	Numbing cream; most fillers contain lidocaine
Downtime	None	Mild swelling for 1–3 days; possible bruising
Sessions	One; repeat every 3–4 months	One; top up as it softens
Results appear	Starts in 2–3 days; full at about 2 weeks	Immediately, settling over 1–2 weeks
Results last	About 3–4 months	About 6–18 months depending on area and product
Price from at Dernia	₩39,000 (1 area, Korean toxin)	₩150,000 (1cc, Korean HA)

How Botox works

Botulinum toxin type A blocks the signal from nerve to muscle in a small, targeted area, so the muscle relaxes and the skin above it stops creasing as deeply. It works best on dynamic lines: the ones that appear when you move your face. Korean clinics offer both Korean toxins, such as Botulax, Nabota, Coretox and Innotox, and imported brands, such as Botox from Allergan, Xeomin and Dysport. Korean toxins usually cost less, while imported brands cost more; both are used widely, and your doctor will explain the choice. Our guide to Korean and imported toxin brands covers the details.

How dermal filler works

Hyaluronic acid filler is a gel that replaces lost volume. Placed beneath a fold, along a contour or near the bone, it lifts and shapes straight away. Different products have different firmness, so a softer gel suits lips or under the eyes and a firmer one suits the chin or cheekbones. Because it is hyaluronic acid, it can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if needed. Filler carries a small but serious risk of blocking a blood vessel, which is why anatomical knowledge, careful technique and immediate access to treatment matter.

Choose Botox if…

Your lines appear mainly when you move: forehead lines, frown lines or crow's feet
You want prevention in your late 20s or 30s
You want no downtime and a quick appointment
You are happy to repeat it every few months

Choose dermal filler if…

Your lines are visible at rest because of lost volume, such as deep smile lines
Your cheeks, temples or under-eyes look hollow
You want to refine a contour, such as the chin or nose profile
You want results that last longer than toxin

Can you combine them?

Yes, and many people do. Botox softens movement lines in the upper face while filler restores volume in the mid and lower face, and the two often complement each other. They can usually be done in the same visit; read whether you can get Botox and filler on the same day. If you are flying soon after, our guide to flying after Botox and fillers explains what to expect.

Cost comparison

At Dernia Clinic Myeongdong, wrinkle Botox starts from ₩39,000 per area with a Korean toxin, with imported brands costing more. Dermal filler starts from ₩150,000 per cc of Korean hyaluronic acid. Treating three upper-face areas with Botox costs less than most filler plans, but filler lasts longer. See current plans on the Botox price page and the dermal filler price page. Prices are in Korean won (KRW), exclude 10% VAT, and are confirmed at your consultation.

How our doctors decide

Your doctor watches your face at rest and in motion. Lines that disappear when you relax point to Botox; lines or hollows that remain at rest point to filler. Many faces have both, so a combined plan is common.

Neither is given during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Toxin is avoided with certain neuromuscular conditions, and filler needs extra care if you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder. Browse more comparisons, or book a consultation and a licensed doctor will recommend the right injectable, or both.

Is Botox or filler better for wrinkles?

It depends on the wrinkle. Lines that appear with movement, like frown lines and crow's feet, respond best to Botox. Lines or folds visible at rest because of lost volume usually need filler.

How long does Botox take to work?

Botox starts to take effect within two to three days and reaches its full result at about two weeks. Results commonly last about three to four months.

Can filler be reversed?

Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if it needs to be adjusted or removed. This is one reason it is the most widely used filler type.

Are Korean toxins as good as imported Botox?

Korean toxins are widely used and generally give comparable results for most people, at a lower price. Some people prefer an imported brand; your doctor will explain the options.

Can I fly after Botox or filler?

Yes, you can usually fly the next day. Avoid pressing on treated areas and follow your doctor's aftercare advice.

Treatments compared

Wrinkle Botox — relaxes expression lines
Dermal filler — restores volume and contour
Skin Botox — refines pores and fine texture

Price and results

Botox price in Seoul — Korean and imported toxins
Dermal filler price in Seoul — per-cc pricing
Botox results — timeline and expectations
Dermal filler results — settling and longevity

FAQs and guides

How much is Botox in Korea? — prices explained
Can I get Botox while pregnant or breastfeeding? — safety answer
Hyaluronic acid filler brands — what Korean clinics use

More comparisons

Dermal filler vs Sculptra — instant vs gradual volume
Skin Botox vs HA skin booster — two skin-quality injections

Dernia Clinic Myeongdong

Botox vs Dermal Filler: Which Is Right for You?