Fillers are a medical approach to adding volume to tissue. However, even lines or shadows that look similar may have different causes, such as volume loss, sagging skin, pigmentation, and edema. This guide mainly Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillerThe explanation is based on the basis, and it is not treated the same as other filling materials. [S04][F03]
There are many individual differences in normal face and body shape. There is no reason to judge a specific form as ‘insufficient’ or to rush treatment. Start by identifying what is uncomfortable, what can be changed with treatment, and what is difficult to change.
Three things to remember first
- Volume loss, sagging, and pigmentation are not the same problem.
- Clinical trials of a specific product do not guarantee the results of any filler.
- HA fillers cannot be explained as ‘there is no risk because they can be dissolved.’
01. What is the difference between filler, botox, and collagen booster?
| access | central role | Things that should not be considered the same |
|---|---|---|
| HA filler | Interventions that add volume to tissue | Treatment that resolves all sagging, pigmentation, and swelling |
| botulinum toxin | Temporal regulation of movement or specific secretory signals | Treatment that directly fills volume loss |
| Collagen Booster | Addresses material-specific tissue responses, some including volumetric compensation. | One ingredient, treatment that only addresses skin texture, modulation possibilities like HA |
| energy based lifting | An approach targeting tissue response depending on equipment and conditions | Treatment that adds volume to any area |
HA fillers also have differences in characteristics and research targets for each product. The single word ‘filler’ does not equally describe the duration or controllability. [S04]
This table is a summary to understand the main roles. There have been studies observing tissue response in HA, and collagen-stimulating materials have also been studied for filling purposes. Therefore, the complete dichotomy that “fillers only fill, and collagen boosters have nothing to do with volume” is not accurate. [C07][C08]
The specific difference is Botox Guide, Skin Booster/Collagen Booster Guide, lifting guideIt continues from .
Fillers and collagen boosters may complement or overlap in their roles.
It is helpful to explain it separately by volume and skin texture. However, collagen boosters may also be involved in volume changes depending on the material, so it is not always necessary to layer treatments to achieve the same goal. We must distinguish between cases where they are alternatives and cases where they address different goals. [C08]
Some studies evaluating Botox and HA fillers together observed additional improvements in certain parameters. On the other hand, studies combining HA with collagen-stimulating ingredients have not always shown the expected benefits. ‘Used together’ and ‘Proven to be better than either alone’ are different words. [C01][C02][C03]
Interventions that add volume, interventions that wait for tissue response, and interventions that control movement have different perspectives on the results. However, this explanation is not a fixed procedure order or parallel schedule, and requires evaluation by a medical staff depending on the product, existing procedure, and current condition. [F01][S02]
Differences in the Role of Botox and Fillers · Overlapping role with collagen booster ingredients
02. Cheeks, nasolabial folds, lips, chin - do not look at just one part
Cheeks and nasolabial area
Check whether the reason the line appears deep is due to volume loss in the line itself or a change in the surrounding tissue. The shadows visible in one photo do not determine which areas to fill and how much to fill.
The important question here is, “What will change and what will remain if we fill this part?” The role and limitations of volumetric complement should be explained. [S04]
A nasolabial folds study comparing collagen boosters (PDLLA) and hyaluronic acid (HA) respectively shows that the roles of the two approaches may overlap. This is not a study that says the two ingredients must be used together. [C08]
lips
Lip fillers are an intervention that addresses volume and shape. There are randomized controlled trials for each product, but each individual's original shape and movement, previous procedures, and recovery process must be evaluated separately. Results may not be the same for everyone. [F05]
Not to be confused with a lip flip. Lip flip is an approach that controls peripheral movement, and clinical studies have not shown an increase in volume like fillers. [B04]
The lips themselves and the skin around the mouth are not subject to the same evaluation. General collagen booster descriptions or studies from other areas do not apply directly to the lips. [F01][C08]
Corners of the mouth and around the mouth
Distinguish between movement of the corners of the mouth and peripheral volume loss. Although mouth corner botox and fillers around the mouth have similar names, their goals are different. We do not decide that one procedure is always better. [S02][S04]
chin and jawline
The approach to compensating for volume is different from the approach to controlling the chewing muscles. It should not be explained that temporomandibular joint discomfort, occlusion, or original bone structure problems are solved with fillers alone. [S04][B03]
In a comparative study of 50 patients with jaw recession, some indices improved in the parallel group, but there was no difference between the groups in jaw recession grade. This doesn’t turn these results into “every chin needs a combination of Botox and filler.” [C02]
03. Under the eyes and temples – target selection is important even if there is evidence
Under the eyes/tear troughs: Not the same thing as dark circles
First, we examine whether the reason the area under the eyes appears dark is due to volume loss, pigment, or edema and fat protrusion.
The HA filler study, which randomly assigned 333 people, was conducted to treat moderate and severe under-eye hollownessIt was targeted. Recurrent edema, specific pigmentation problems, and distinct fat protrusions were included as exclusion conditions. Therefore, the results cannot be generalized to the effects of all dark circles. [F03]
Key points of consultation: “Is volume loss the main cause? “Isn’t swelling or other problems more important?”
The fact that there is research doesn't mean this area is simple or risk-free. Blood vessel-related risks and long-lasting swelling and irregularity around the eyes must also be considered. [F01][F02]
Temporalis: Volume loss assessment and muscle assessment are different
There are multicenter randomized studies of specific HA products targeting temporal volume loss. However, the results cannot be directly applied to other products or all types of scallops. [F04]
‘Temple Botox’ and ‘Temple Filler’ use the names of the same area, but their purposes are different. Rather than assuming that an area that already looks weak is due to a muscle problem, we check previous treatments and current condition. [S02][F04]
The temporal region is an area where important vascular structures must be considered. Just because there are few visible bruises does not mean that there is no vascular risk. [S05]
04. Horizontal neck wrinkles, earlobes, back of the hand — special areas are read together with the scope of evidence.
horizontal neck wrinkles
There is a small study reporting the 1-year follow-up of HA filler for horizontal residual lines. This must be differentiated from studies of botulinum toxin in vertical neck bands that occur when the neck is strained. [F06][B07]
These results do not mean that all neck wrinkles will be equally improved or that sagging of the entire neck will be resolved. The nature of the thin skin, the possibility of the surface appearing uneven, and the limits of change should be checked at the clinic. [F02]
Vertical neck band Botox Guide, the difference between skin texture and material is Collagen Booster GuideIt continues from . Because the three-component combination report was a small, uncontrolled study, it is not used here as a basis for recommending a universal combination. [C06]
earlobe
There are 19 case reports of earlobe HA filler. As this is a small uncontrolled study, long-term safety and rare adverse events cannot be determined. [F07]
We do not extend the earlobe study as a basis for ‘whole ear filler’. The shape of the ear cartilage or the treatment of a damaged earlobe are not the same problem. Individual differences in appearance alone do not require treatment.
back of hand
There is a clinical case report of HA filler on the soft tissue of the back of the hand. However, changes in the volume of the back of the hand, hand function, skin pigmentation problems, and hand hyperhidrosis are all separate. [F08]
Hyperhidrosis of the hands Hyperhidrosis section of the Botox guideThis is explained in . This does not mean that hand filler is a treatment that reduces sweating or improves hand function. [B11][F08]
05. Nose, eyebrows, forehead - Safety must be fully understood before consultation
The nose, forehead, forehead, and around the eyes and temples are areas where serious adverse reactions related to blood vessels are particularly carefully considered. one side Other areas are not without vascular risk. [F01][F02]
nose
It is important to distinguish that filler is an approach to add volume to the nose and that surgery to make the nose smaller is not the same thing. Past surgery/filler history and scars are important information during consultation. It is not easy to decide on a procedure just because it is a familiar procedure in your search. [F01][F02]
Between the eyebrows
Botox, which controls the movement of the eyebrows, and filler, which adds volume to the eyebrows, are different. We do not guide you to choose filler right away just because the wrinkles between your eyebrows remain. [S02][F02]
forehead
Distinguish between facial expression wrinkles and forehead volume loss/contour problems. Choosing to change the shape with filler has risks and limitations that are different from facial wrinkle treatment, and requires sufficient explanation and individual evaluation. [S02][F02]
Descriptions in this area do not constitute a reservation menu guaranteeing the availability or suitability of a procedure. The option of not having the procedure and other approaches should be discussed together.
06. Filler safety – it’s not just a matter of ‘melting it down’
General discomfort and delayed reactions
Bruising, swelling, pain, and tenderness may occur. [S05]
A lump or inflammatory reaction may develop over time. Any persistent or new discomfort should be evaluated separately from the initial recovery process. [F02]
Rare but important vascular risks
Fillers carry a risk of serious adverse reactions, including blood flow disruption and vision damage. Just because a rare problem was not observed in a clinical trial does not mean that the likelihood of it occurring is zero. [F01]
Symptoms that require immediate evaluation
If you experience symptoms such as sudden or abnormally severe pain in the treatment area, pale or dark skin color, blurred vision, or changes in vision, you should immediately seek treatment at the medical institution where the treatment was performed. If you experience changes in vision or neurological symptoms, notify the medical institution that performed the procedure as soon as possible or call 119 or the emergency room. [F01]
Do not wait for routine counseling or try to resolve these symptoms with arbitrary treatment.
Are HA fillers completely reversible?
For some HA fillers, your healthcare provider may consider disintegration treatment. However, we cannot guarantee that they will be removed completely at once or that they will all return to their previous state. In particular, it does not mean that complications that have already occurred can be reversed. Filling materials other than HA also have different properties and removal potential. [F01][F02]
Check for safety
Please inform the medical staff of your previous filler/surgery history, allergies, and current inflammation or discomfort. If you do not know the products you have used in the past, explain exactly what you do not know and ask if you can check the records. It is important to check the product, actual approval requirements, and contact/evaluation route in case of adverse reactions. [F02]
07. What does a consultation look for?
target
Before asking “What kind of shape do you want to change?”, ask “What are you currently uncomfortable with, and what is the cause?” Normal individual differences are not defined as problems.
compatibility
Distinguish between volume loss, skin sagging, edema/pigmentation, and the effects of previous procedures. In particular, the inclusion and exclusion criteria for suborbital studies demonstrate how important patient selection is. [F03]
scope of change
We do not guarantee that one treatment or specific product will produce the same results in everyone. You must receive an explanation of the differences between the target, product, and follow-up period evaluated in the paper and your situation.
Product/Cost/Follow-up
Check the actual product to be used, domestic approvals, range of total cost, tracking evaluation, and response to adverse reactions. This page does not include estimates of products in stock or unconfirmed prices. The product names used in the study do not refer to the products in the clinic's possession.
08. Frequently Asked Questions
They are not exactly the same, nor do their roles overlap at all. This guide focuses on HA fillers. Some collagen stimulating materials are also being studied with the goal of volume supplementation, but their composition, tissue response, and modulation potential are not the same as HA. [C07][C08][F01]
no. Studies of specific HA·CaHA combinations in the temporata did not confirm the expected additional benefit. These results also should not be extended to all products and areas. [C03]
It cannot be explained in such a comprehensive way. Although roles may overlap depending on the goal and material, the pattern of effectiveness and the possibility of adverse reactions and control are different for each product. Rather than automatically determining parallelism or substitution, it is important to have the differences explained first. [C08][F01]
The cause, such as pigmentation, edema, and volume loss, must first be distinguished. The results of the under-eye hollowness study may not apply to all dark circles. [F03]
There are small follow-up studies. However, this alone does not guarantee the same effect or long-term safety for all horizontal neck wrinkles. [F06]
no. The material introduced on this page is a case group related to earlobes. It is not the basis for any approach to reshaping the ear cartilage or the entire ear. [F07]
It depends on the product, the site, and what changes the study defines as an effect. We do not assume that the point at which the externally felt change diminishes is the same as the point at which the material disappears completely. Check the description and actual progress of each product. [F01]
The degree of bruising alone cannot determine vascular risks or delayed adverse reactions. New symptoms and progress must be examined together. [S05]
This is an area that requires particularly careful risk accounting. Please check the ‘nose, eyebrows, forehead’ section above and the safety information, and consult with us, including the option of not having the procedure. [S05]
Research and approval are separate things. Because the approvals for each country and product, as well as the actual purpose of treatment, must be compared, judgment cannot be made solely from the list of papers on this page.
Before filling, please understand first
A good consultation does not end with deciding how much treatment to do. It is a process of explaining why it is necessary, what does not change, and what inconveniences and risks must be endured.
Related information: Botox Guide · lifting guide · Skin Booster/Collagen Booster Guide · pigment guide
Continue reading on the hospital blog
- Nasolabial Fold Filler Details Explained by a Board-Certified Dermatologist — Explains anatomical causes of nasolabial folds and layer-specific blunt cannula injection principles considering vascular anatomy.
- Worried About Unnatural Fillers or Collagen Nodule Lumps? Powder Hydration Principles vs. Liquid Collagen Boosters — Covers selection criteria between immediate volume restoration (HA filler) and autologous collagen stimulation (Juvelook Volume, Gouri, D-Classy).
- Juvelook Volume: 3 Safety Principles for Natural Volume Without Nodule Concerns — Guides precise hydration protocols and blunt cannula dispersion injection for anterior cheek, lateral cheek, and nasolabial hollowing.
This material is general medical information and is not intended to replace an individualized diagnosis and treatment plan. The availability and suitability of the procedure will be determined after examination by the medical staff.
References
Thesis is information about the research subject and the product used. It is not the same as domestic approval or the scope provided by our center.
- [S04]American Academy of Dermatology (accessed 2026-09-23). Fillers: FAQs. View source
- [F03]Biesman BS, et al. (2024). A Multicenter, Randomized, Evaluator-Blinded Study to Examine the Safety and Effectiveness of Hyaluronic Acid Filler in the Correction of Infraorbital Hollows. DOI: 10.1093/asj/sjae073. View source
- [F05]Wang T, et al. (2025). Safety and Efficacy of a New Hyaluronic Acid Filler for Lip Augmentation: A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Study. DOI: 10.1093/asjof/ojaf113. View source
- [B04]Germani M, Munoz-Lora VRM, Roschel P, Cotofana S. (2026). Lip Flip Revisited: Clinical Outcomes and Neuromodulatory Basis of Upper Lip Eversion. DOI: 10.1007/s00266-026-05727-0. View source
- [S02]American Academy of Dermatology (accessed 2026-09-23). Botulinum toxin therapy: FAQs. View source
- [B03]Seok J, et al. (2024). Efficacy and Safety of PrabotulinumtoxinA in Subjects With Benign Masseteric Hypertrophy: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter, Phase 3 Trial and Open-Label Extension Study. DOI: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000004146. View source
- [F01]U.S. Food and Drug Administration (accessed 2026-09-23). Dermal Fillers (Soft Tissue Fillers). View source
- [F02]Signorini M, et al. (2016). Global Aesthetics Consensus: Avoidance and Management of Complications from Hyaluronic Acid Fillers—Evidence- and Opinion-Based Review and Consensus Recommendations. DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000002184. View source
- [F04]Montes JR, et al. (2025). Improvement in Temple Hollowing with VYC-20L Hyaluronic Acid Filler: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial of Safety and Effectiveness. DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000011957. View source
- [S05]American Society of Plastic Surgeons (accessed 2026-09-23). Dermal Fillers Risks and Safety. View source
- [F06]Siperstein R, Nestor E, Meran S, Grunebaum L, Cotofana S. (2023). One-Year Data on the Longevity and Safety of Hyaluronic Acid Filler for Static Horizontal Neck Rhytids. DOI: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000003920. View source
- [B07]Fabi S, et al. (2025 (online 2024)). Improvement of platysma prominence with onabotulinumtoxinA: Safety and efficacy results from a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2024.10.027. View source
- [F07]Qian W, et al. (2017 (online 2016)). Clinical Application of Earlobe Augmentation with Hyaluronic Acid Filler in the Chinese Population. DOI: 10.1007/s00266-016-0742-6. View source
- [F08]Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (2021). Hand Rejuvenation with a Hyaluronic Acid-Based Dermal Filler: A 12-Month Clinical Follow-Up Case Series. View source
- [B11]Lowe NJ, et al. (2002). Efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. DOI: 10.1046/j.1524-4725.2002.02039.x. View source
- [C07]Quan T, et al. (2013). A mechanistic study examining changes in the skin support environment and human skin cell responses caused by HA (title abbreviated). DOI: 10.1038/jid.2012.364. View source
- [C08]Ting W, et al. (2024). Multicenter randomized trial comparing PDLLA and HA in nasolabial folds (abbreviated title). View source
- [C01]Carruthers A, et al. (2010). Multicenter randomized trial comparing botulinum toxin and HA filler alone and in combination in the lower face (title abbreviated). DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2010.01705.x. View source
- [C02]Guo Y, et al. (2024 (online 2023)). Randomized trial comparing botulinum toxin/HA combination and HA alone in jaw recession (title abbreviated). DOI: 10.1093/asj/sjad358. View source
- [C03]Germani M, et al. (2025). Randomized trial comparing volume retention of HA alone and HA·CaHA combination in the temporal region (title abbreviated). DOI: 10.1093/asjof/ojaf076. View source
- [C06]de Sanctis Pecora C. (2024). A pilot study that evaluated the three ingredients CaHA, botulinum toxin, and HA together in the throat (title abbreviated). DOI: 10.1111/jocd.16296. View source