In aesthetic medicine, two treatments dominate the market: botox and hyaluronic acid. These injections transform the appearance of the face, but their mechanism of action is very different. One works on the muscle with a relaxing botulinum toxin, the other on the skin, filling in wrinkles and restoring volume.
Yet many still confuse the two. So how do you choose?
Botox is the best-known commercial name for the botulinum toxin. Discovered in the XIXᵉ century, this molecule works by blocking nerve signals transmitted to muscle fibers. Result: the muscle relaxes, expression lines smooth out, and the face looks more rested.
In the field of aesthetic medicine, it is mainly used for to treat wrinkles in the upper third of the face. Precision of injection is essential: a micro-dose injected in the wrong place can alter expression and sometimes have serious consequences.
According to ANSM (Agence Nationale de Sécurité du Médicament), Botulinum toxin is a safe treatment, provided it is administered by a specialized physician.
To find out more about the origin, effects and uses of Botox, please consult our dedicated article : What is Botox? The essentials about this toxin
It's a natural substance already present in the skin and dermis. What does it do? Retain water and maintain hydration. it is resorbable, capable of restoring lost volume, fill in static wrinkles and improve skin appearance.
Aesthetic medicine it exists in different forms depending on molecular weight and density. A fluid gel is ideal for moisturizing the skin, while a denser frost is used to plump up the chin, cheeks or oval of the face.
Unlike botox, HA does not affect the muscle: it acts directly on the skin tissue.
This «relaxing protein» targets wrinkles caused by repeated muscular movements Frowning, squinting, raising eyebrows. By relaxing the targeted area, the treatment helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and prevent them from setting in. It is therefore injected intra-muscularly.
Here are the main aesthetic uses:
Botulinum toxin is therefore an effective targeted treatment for smoothing expression lines and making the face look more rested.
But did you also know about other functional uses? :
Unlike botulinum toxin, HA acts as a filler. It is injected in the dermis or hypodermis to correct fine lines or deep static wrinkles, reinforce lost contours and moisturize the skin.
Main uses of HA :
This is a resorbable product, which offers a immediate effect while stimulating collagen production in certain formulations.
The distribution of treated areas is one of the main differences between the two molecules: each acts on a specific area of the face:
The duration of results depends on the type of product used and the patient's profile. The botox acts faster but its effects fade quickly, while the duration of hyaluronic acid is longer: it gradually stabilizes and offers a natural, long-lasting result.
- Botox Visible results after 3 to 7 days, lasting approximately 4 to 6 months, depending on the area and the patient's reaction.
- Hyaluronic acid immediate effect, stabilized within a few days, with a duration average of 6 to 18 months, depending on the density used and the area treated. L’hyaluronic acid resorbs naturally over time.
Injection prices for the 2 molecules are globally quite similar. They vary according to several factors: the experience of the qualified professional, the aesthetic medicine center, the area treated and the quantity injected. Expect to pay around 250 to €800 per session in Paris.
Find out all about the price of a botox injection and why it varies so much, Discover our dedicated article.
Prices of Hyaluronic Acid injections and Botox with Dr Djian
| PROCEDURES | Cosmetic surgery incl. VAT |
|---|---|
| Botulinum toxin: forehead wrinkles; frown lines; crow's feet | 400 euros incl. VAT (with retouching) |
| Botulinum toxin: Bruxism | 400 euros incl. VAT (with retouching) |
| Hyaluronic acid: Dark circles | 400 euros incl. VAT (with retouching) |
| Hyaluronic acid: Lip injections | 400 euros incl. VAT (with retouching) |
| Hyaluronic acid: Nasolabial folds | 400 euros incl. VAT |
| Hyaluronic acid: Cheekbones | 800 euros incl. VAT |
| Medical rhinoplasty | 600 euros incl. VAT |
| Jawline - Oval face | From 800 euros incl. VAT |
*Prices are indicative and non-contractual.
Combining the two treatments is common and serves a simple purpose: more even facial rejuvenation. A single treatment is not always enough to correct all the signs of aging: marked wrinkles, sagging of the oval, etc.
By combining two treatments with different actions, Doctor Djian can tailor the procedure to the patient's age, anatomy and specific needs.
This integrated approach, widely used in aesthetic medicine centers, offers harmonious results, better distributed over time, while avoiding premature recourse to the plastic surgery.
Here's a comparison of benefits of each treatment :
| Botox | Hyaluronic Acid |
|---|---|
| Fast-acting: results in a week | Immediate results |
| Natural look if well dosed | Versatility: wrinkles, volume, hydration |
| Prevention of aging (expression lines) | Reversible, resorbable product (hyaluronidase) |
| Simple, painless procedure | For testing before plastic surgery |
Even though his aesthetic treatments are safe when carried out by a experienced practitioner, they feature certain limits and are not suitable for all situations. These contraindications apply equally to botulinum toxin that the’hyaluronic acid.
For limit risks and guarantee a natural result, certain precautions must be taken before and after a treatment. injection of botulinum toxin or hyaluronic acid. Here are the most important things to do :
| Before injections | After injections |
|---|---|
| Avoid aspirin/anti-inflammatory drugs | Avoid intensive sport and heat within 24 hours |
| No make-up, clean skin | Do not massage injection sites |
| Do not lie down for a few hours after injections | |
| Avoid exposure to sunlight, wear safety goggles | |
| Avoid alcohol consumption for 24 hours |
Botox and hyaluronic acid are not competitors, but complementary. One acts on the muscle, the other on the skin, filling in wrinkles and restoring volume. The choice depends on the specific need, the type of wrinkles and the patient's age.
For an effective anti-aging treatment, the support of a qualified aesthetic doctor is essential.
Dr Djian, based in Paris 16, offers personalized protocols for safe, natural facial rejuvenation.
A session lasts between 10 and 15 minutes. It is a rapid procedure, often referred to as “lunchtime treatment”. Visit doctor evaluates face, defines areas to be treated and produces injections. Le patient can leave immediately, without social eviction. A pre-consultation beforehand, or on the same day, will enable you to define your project with Dr. Djian and provide you with a detailed estimate for the service.
Yes. In the majority of cases, the patient can resume activities as soon as treatment is completed. Only minor side effects may occur: rashes, small bruises, light edema. These reactions disappear within 24 to 72 hours.
Absolutely, if the injections are performed by an experienced aesthetic physician like Dr. Djian. Botulinum toxin does not freeze the face; it merely relaxes the targeted muscles. Hyaluronic acid is absorbable and melts into skin tissue to restore volume or hydrate the skin. The aim is always subtle rejuvenation, far from caricatured excess.
Yes, it's common practice to combine botox and hyaluronic acid in the same treatment. This combined technique erases expression lines while filling in static wrinkles and restoring volume. The practitioner establishes an adapted protocol, depending on the areas treated and the patient's specific needs. A touch-up session (included in the service) can be defined if required.
The Russian Lips designate a technique hyaluronic acid injection which aims to give the lips a defined, vertical shape. Injections are made from the bottom up to create a clean Cupid's bow and a lifted upper lip. Unlike conventional methods, we focus on tension rather than horizontal volume. Result: more structured, natural-looking lips.
Botox is a safe option, validated by the health authorities, when performed by a qualified practitioner. Visit side effects are rare and generally mild: small bruises and a feeling of local heaviness. The risk is particularly high when injections are carried out outside the medical context. That's why it's so important to go to a recognized aesthetic medicine center, like the one at Dr Djian in Paris 16, for example.
Dr Jérémy Djian is a plastic surgeon based at 5 square Thiers, near the Victor Hugo roundabout, in the 16th arrondissement of Paris.
He trained in Paris and remains attached to the hospital in the prestigious department of Pr Laurent Lantieri.
Hello Dr Djian
Can you confirm the price for lips
of 360 ttc is that this includes alterations and can
tell me the product you use. Thank you very much.
Sincerely
Mrs Sebag
Hello, ma'am,
Yes, that's right.
I most often use Galderma's restylane Kiss.
Yours sincerely