Quality of skin, or shape and volume
Skin boosters are injected to hydrate and improve the texture and glow of the skin across an area. They do not change your shape. Dermal fillers are placed in specific points to restore or add volume, support structure and soften deeper lines, for example in the cheeks or around the mouth. If you want better looking skin, think boosters. If you want to restore volume or refine contour, think fillers.
Hydration and skin quality
Microinjections of hyaluronic acid spread through the skin to draw in moisture and support a smoother, more luminous surface. They are usually given as a short starter course, then maintained. The effect is a refreshed complexion rather than a change to your features.
Volume and structure
A firmer gel is placed at chosen points to lift, support and add volume, softening deeper folds or restoring fullness lost with age. The change is visible immediately and lasts longer than boosters, but it does alter your shape, so technique and restraint matter.
How they really differ
Costs are indicative ranges to give a sense of scale and vary by product, area, practitioner and city. Always confirm the full price and suitability with the clinic before booking.
Times to choose something else
Sometimes the honest answer is neither. If your real concern is fine surface lines and tone, a good skincare routine, retinoids or energy based treatments may serve you better than any injectable. If sagging is structural, no amount of filler will lift it convincingly, and chasing that look can leave a face that reads as overdone. A thoughtful practitioner will sometimes recommend Profhilo or polynucleotides instead, or a combination, and will be candid when the most flattering choice is to wait or to do less. Be wary of any clinic that reaches for a syringe before understanding your goal.
Both are injectable treatments and carry real risks, including swelling, bruising, lumps, infection and, rarely with fillers, vascular complications that need urgent care. They should be performed by a qualified medical practitioner. This page is general information, not medical advice. Results vary and no outcome can be guaranteed. Have a full assessment before treatment.
Not sure which you need?
Tell us your goal and a little about your skin. We will introduce you to vetted providers who can assess you in person and recommend the right approach.
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