BOTOX and dermal fillers are two of the most requested treatments in facial aesthetics, and each softens the signs of aging in a different way. Neuromodulators like BOTOX relax the muscles that cause wrinkles, while hyaluronic acid fillers restore volume that fades with age.
At Guelph Facial Plastics, Dr. Matthew D. Brace, a dual-accredited facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, and Nurse Practitioner Alyssa Sutherland bring years of specialized training to every injectable treatment. This guide covers how BOTOX, Dysport, and fillers work, what each can treat, and other non-surgical options worth knowing about.
What Are Injectables? Neuromodulators vs. Fillers
Injectable treatments fall into two categories: neuromodulators and dermal fillers. Neuromodulators contain a purified form of botulinum toxin that temporarily blocks nerve signals to targeted muscles, softening the wrinkles those muscles cause.
Guelph Facial Plastics offers three neuromodulator brands:
- BOTOX, the most established option
- Dysport, which can work slightly faster and spread more broadly, useful for larger areas
- Xeomin, a purified formula made without added proteins
Dermal fillers work differently. Instead of relaxing muscles, they add volume with a hyaluronic acid gel, plumping areas that have thinned or hollowed with age. Dr. Brace uses Restylane and Revanesse, both hyaluronic acid formulas the body absorbs naturally and that can be dissolved if a patient's goals change.
What Can BOTOX and Dysport Treat?
BOTOX and Dysport are best known for softening crow's feet, forehead lines, and the vertical lines between the brows. Guelph Facial Plastics also uses them to address gummy smiles, chin dimpling, a downturned mouth, and a wider lower face, since relaxing the masseter muscles can create a slimmer jawline.
Beyond cosmetic use, these treatments may help manage chronic migraines, TMJ pain, teeth grinding, and muscle spasms from Bell's palsy or facial paralysis. Dr. Brace evaluates each patient's facial anatomy before treatment, since no two plans look the same.
What Can Dermal Fillers Correct?
Dermal fillers restore volume in areas where fat and collagen naturally decline, and they can reshape features a patient has always wanted to change. Common treatment areas include:
- Cheeks and temples, to restore lost volume and lift
- Under-eye hollows and tear troughs
- Lips, for added fullness or a more defined border
- The jawline and chin, for improved definition
- Nasolabial folds and marionette lines
Fillers can also soften the shadowing from acne scars or refine the shape of the nose. Because hyaluronic acid is reversible, patients can adjust or dissolve their results if their goals change over time.
How Long Do Results Last, and Who Performs Them?
Neuromodulator results typically last three to four months, with full results visible within two weeks. Filler results vary by product and area, though most patients need a touch-up within a year to maintain volume.
Dr. Brace and Alyssa both perform injectables at Guelph Facial Plastics. Dr. Brace trained through a fellowship in facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery at Ohio State University, and Alyssa trained through the Canadian Board of Aesthetic Medicine and a mentorship at Health One in Toronto. That depth of training is what keeps complications rare and results looking natural.
Beyond BOTOX and Fillers: Other Non-Surgical Options
Injectables are only one part of the non-surgical care at Guelph Facial Plastics. Patients wanting to improve skin texture, tightness, or redness alongside their injectables have a few additional options:
- Profound RF skin tightening, for firmer, more lifted skin without surgery
- CO2RE laser skin rejuvenation, for improved tone and texture
- Sciton BBL HERO and MOXI, for pigmentation, redness, and overall clarity
Pairing these treatments with BOTOX or filler can round out a full approach to facial rejuvenation. Dr. Brace and Alyssa build each combination around the patient in front of them.
Considering Injectables? Guelph Facial Plastics Is Here to Help
Injectables offer a non-surgical path to smoother lines and restored volume, backed by real surgical and clinical training. Dr. Brace and Alyssa bring years of hands-on injectable experience to every treatment plan, tailoring each session to the patient's anatomy and goals. Contact Guelph Facial Plastics today to schedule a consultation and find the right approach for your face.
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Outcomes, risks, and suitability vary from patient to patient.
