Botox® Cosmetic and dermal fillers in San Antonio
Short answer: BOTOX® Cosmetic is a prescription injection that relaxes certain facial muscles to soften lines for a few months. Dermal fillers are FDA-approved gels injected under the skin to add volume or smooth folds. At Yaso Wellness on San Antonio's South Side, both are given by a licensed clinician after a consultation. Results vary, and both carry real risks.
Key facts
- BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) is FDA-approved for adults for the temporary improvement in the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the brows, crow's feet, forehead lines and vertical neck bands (platysma bands).
- Boxed warning: the effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic and all botulinum toxin products may spread from the injection site and cause symptoms such as muscle weakness, trouble swallowing or breathing, and vision changes, hours to weeks after the shot.
- How often: the safety and effectiveness of BOTOX® Cosmetic more often than every 3 months have not been studied.
- Dermal fillers are FDA-approved medical devices for adults 22 and older. Most are hyaluronic acid (HA), which the body slowly absorbs, so results are temporary.
- The most serious filler risk is accidental injection into a blood vessel, which can cause tissue death, vision loss or stroke. It is rare but can be permanent.
- Only from licensed sources: in 2024, the CDC reported 22 people in 11 states harmed by fake or mishandled botulinum toxin, all injected by unlicensed or untrained people or outside health care settings.
What is the difference between Botox and fillers?
They work in different ways:
- BOTOX® Cosmetic relaxes the muscles that crease the skin when you frown, squint or raise your brows. It works on lines that come from movement.
- Fillers add volume under the skin. They are used for folds such as the lines from the nose to the mouth, and for lips, cheeks and chin.
Some people have one, some both. A consultation helps sort out which matches your goals.
What can Botox Cosmetic help with?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is approved for the temporary improvement in the look of:
- frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines);
- crow's feet at the sides of the eyes (lateral canthal lines);
- forehead lines;
- vertical neck bands (platysma bands).
In studies, frown lines were reduced for up to about 4 months. The effect wears off, so people who like the result return for repeat treatments.
What can dermal fillers help with?
FDA has approved specific fillers for:
- moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds;
- adding fullness to the lips, cheeks and chin;
- the back of the hands.
FDA warns against fillers for the breasts, buttocks or feet, or in the forehead, nose, around the eyes or neck. No filler is approved for use at home, and injectable silicone is not approved for any cosmetic use.
What are the side effects of Botox and fillers?
BOTOX® Cosmetic. The most common side effects in studies were drooping eyelid, eyelid swelling, headache and drooping brow. Get emergency care right away for trouble breathing, speaking or swallowing, or for new muscle weakness or vision changes.
Fillers. Common effects are bruising, redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, itching and rash. Less common are lumps, delayed swelling, infection and allergic reactions. Get emergency care right away for:
- unusual or severe pain;
- skin near the injection that turns white, gray or blue;
- vision changes;
- signs of stroke, such as trouble speaking, face drooping or weakness.
Who should not get Botox or fillers?
Not everyone is a candidate. Tell the clinician if you:
- are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding;
- have an infection or skin problem where you would be injected;
- had a reaction to any botulinum toxin product or filler before;
- have a nerve or muscle condition, such as myasthenia gravis, ALS or Lambert-Eaton syndrome;
- have trouble swallowing or breathing, or heart disease;
- take blood thinners, muscle relaxants or certain antibiotics;
- had any other botulinum toxin shot in the past few months, including for medical reasons.
How is safety handled at Yaso?
- Consultation first. Your health history, medicines and goals are reviewed before any injection.
- A licensed clinician injects. You'll be told the name and title of the person treating you.
- Real products. Toxin and fillers come from licensed U.S. sources.
- A plan for problems. The clinic follows a written emergency plan, and a clinician is available if you have a reaction.
What to ask your clinician
- Which product will you use, and is it FDA-approved for this area?
- Who is injecting me, and what is their training?
- What results are realistic for my face, and how long will they last?
- What are the signs of a serious problem, and who do I call?
- What should I avoid before and after?
FAQs
How long does Botox Cosmetic last? In studies, frown lines were reduced for up to about 4 months. It varies by person.
How long do fillers last? It depends on the product and the area. HA fillers are absorbed slowly over time, so repeat treatments are needed to keep the result.
Does it hurt? Most people feel brief pinches. Many fillers contain a numbing medicine, and ice may be used.
Microneedling vs Botox: which do I need? They treat different things. BOTOX® Cosmetic softens lines from muscle movement. Microneedling works on skin texture and the look of acne scars.
Can I get Botox while pregnant or breastfeeding? It is not recommended. There is not enough data on safety in pregnancy, so most clinicians advise waiting.
Book a visit
Curious about Botox® Cosmetic or fillers? Start with a consultation.
Book a visit or call (210) 903-1030 In-clinic in San Antonio • Telehealth for women located in Texas (injections are in person) Yaso Wellness Health Clinic, 1907 Goliad Rd, San Antonio, TX 78223
About the clinician
Leticia Vargas, MD, OB/GYN. About Dr. Vargas
Sources
Education only, not medical advice or a diagnosis. In an emergency, call 911.
