Thinking about cosmetic injectables but not sure which one is right for you? You’re not alone. From wrinkle relaxers like Botox® to fillers like Juvéderm® and Restylane®, there are more options than ever to smooth lines, restore volume, and refresh your look without surgery or downtime.
At Travis Shaw, MD, our goal is to make sure you feel informed and confident about every treatment decision. That’s why we’ve created this guide to the most popular injectables we offer, including Botox®, Dysport®, Letybo®, Sculptra®, Kybella®, Restylane®, and Juvéderm®. Here, you’ll learn what each treatment does, where it works best, and what results you can expect—so you can choose the option that fits your goals and lifestyle.
Botox
What it is:
Botox® is an FDA-approved neuromodulator made from botulinum toxin type A. It has been safely used for decades in both cosmetic and medical treatments.
How it works:
Botox temporarily relaxes targeted muscles by blocking nerve signals, preventing repetitive contractions that form wrinkles. The effect smooths dynamic lines—those that appear when you smile, frown, or squint.
Common uses:
- Forehead lines and “11” frown lines between the brows
- Crow’s feet around the eyes
- Preventative wrinkle care for younger patients
- TMJ and jaw clenching
- Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
Results appear in 3–7 days and last about 3–4 months (sometimes up to 6). There’s no downtime—you can get treated on your lunch break and go right back to your day.
Dysport
What it is:
Dysport® is another FDA-approved botulinum toxin injectable. It works similarly to Botox but has a slightly different formulation.
How it works:
Like Botox, Dysport relaxes facial muscles that cause expression lines. Its formula spreads a bit more easily, which can provide smooth results over larger areas such as the forehead.
Common uses:
- Moderate to severe frown lines
- Crow’s feet
- Forehead wrinkles
What to expect:
Results may start showing in 2–3 days (a little faster than Botox for some people) and typically last 3–4 months. Treatments require no downtime.
Letybo
What it is:
Letybo® is one of the newest FDA-approved botulinum toxin injectables, originally developed in Korea where it became the country’s #1 neurotoxin.
How it works:
It temporarily relaxes facial muscles to smooth dynamic wrinkles like forehead lines, frown lines, and crow’s feet. Letybo is known for quick onset and precise, natural-looking results.
Common uses:
- Frown lines and forehead creases
- Crow’s feet
- Subtle, K-beauty–inspired results
What to expect:
Results can appear in as little as 1–3 days and typically last 3–4 months. Like other neuromodulators, no downtime is required.
Bellafill
What it is:
Bellafill® is a unique dermal filler made with tiny polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microspheres suspended in collagen. Unlike most fillers, it is long-lasting and non-absorbable.
How it works:
The collagen gel provides immediate volume, while the PMMA microspheres stimulate your body to produce its own collagen over time. This dual action smooths acne scars and smile lines with long-term improvement.
Common uses:
- Acne scar correction
- Nasolabial folds (smile lines)
What to expect:
Results are visible right away and continue to improve as new collagen develops. Unlike most fillers, Bellafill can last 5 years or longer.
Sculptra
What it is:
Sculptra is a biostimulator, not a filler. Instead of adding volume directly, it’s made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), which stimulates your body to make more collagen.
How it works:
Collagen is what gives skin its firmness and structure. By encouraging natural collagen growth, Sculptra gradually restores lost volume and improves skin texture.
Common uses:
- Restoring facial volume loss
- Softening deep folds and wrinkles
- Enhancing overall skin texture
- Sometimes used for non-surgical buttock or hip enhancement (off-label)
What to expect:
Results build gradually over several months and can last 2 years or more. Most patients need a series of treatments for best results.
Kybella
What it is:
Kybella is the only FDA-approved injectable that permanently reduces submental fat—the “double chin.” Its active ingredient, deoxycholic acid, is a molecule your body already uses to break down fat.
How it works:
When injected under the chin, Kybella destroys fat cells. Once eliminated, those cells can’t come back.
Common uses:
- Reducing a double chin
- Improving jawline definition
- (Off-label) small fat pockets in areas like bra bulge or knees
What to expect:
Treatment takes about 15–20 minutes. Most people need 2–4 sessions spaced a month apart. Swelling is common for a few days, but results are permanent once the fat cells are gone.
Restylane Fillers
What it is:
Restylane® is a family of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers designed to restore volume, smooth wrinkles, and enhance facial features.
How it works:
The HA in Restylane attracts and binds water, plumping and hydrating the skin while filling folds or areas of volume loss.
Common uses:
- Nasolabial folds (“smile lines”)
- Lip enhancement
- Cheek and midface contouring
- Tear troughs (under-eye hollows)
What to expect:
Results appear immediately and usually last 9–12 months, depending on the product and treatment area. Downtime is minimal, with possible swelling or bruising.
Juvéderm Fillers
What it is:
Juvéderm® is another family of hyaluronic acid fillers, widely used for facial rejuvenation and contouring.
How it works:
By replenishing lost volume and filling wrinkles, Juvéderm smooths and reshapes facial features. Its gel-like consistency makes it versatile for lips, cheeks, and fine lines.
Common uses:
- Lip augmentation
- Cheek enhancement
- Nasolabial folds and marionette lines
- Smoothing fine lines around the mouth
What to expect:
Improvements are visible immediately and typically last 9–12 months (sometimes longer, depending on the formula). Most patients resume normal activities the same day.
Injectables Comparison
| Feature | Botox® | Dysport® | Letybo® | Sculptra® | Kybella® Fat Reduction | Restylane® Fillers | Juvéderm® Fillers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Neuromodulator | Neuromodulator | Neuromodulator | Biostimulator (PLLA) | Fat-dissolving injectable | Hyaluronic acid (HA) filler family | Hyaluronic acid (HA) filler family |
| Active Ingredient | Botulinum toxin type A | Botulinum toxin type A | Botulinum toxin type A | Poly-L-lactic acid | Deoxycholic acid | Hyaluronic acid gels (various) | Hyaluronic acid gels (various) |
| Primary Uses | Forehead, glabella (“11s”), crow’s feet; TMJ; hyperhidrosis | Glabella, forehead, crow’s feet; broad areas | Forehead, glabella, crow’s feet; subtle, refined look | Facial volume restoration, deep folds, skin quality | Submental fullness (“double chin”) | Lines/folds, lips, cheeks, tear troughs | Lines/folds, lips, cheeks, perioral lines |
| How It Works | Relaxes muscle activity to soften dynamic lines | Similar to Botox; diffuses for smooth coverage | Relaxes muscles; quick acting, precise effect | Stimulates collagen production gradually | Destroys fat cells; body clears them naturally | HA attracts water to restore volume & smooth contours | HA replenishes volume and smooths wrinkles |
| Onset of Results | 3–7 days | 2–3 days | 1–3 days | Gradual; ~6–12 weeks | Visible reduction in 4–8 weeks | Immediate (with possible swelling) | Immediate (with possible swelling) |
| Typical Duration | 3–4 months (sometimes up to 6) | 3–4 months | 3–4 months | ~2 years or more | Permanent for treated fat cells (series often needed) | ~9–12 months | ~9–12 months |
| Downtime | None (minor redness possible) | None | None | Minimal; mild swelling/bruising possible | Swelling common 3–7 days | Minimal; mild swelling/bruising possible | Minimal; mild swelling/bruising possible |
| Best For | Dynamic wrinkles; TMJ & sweating | Dynamic lines across broader areas | Quick, subtle softening of expression lines | Natural collagen restoration, global rejuvenation | Double chin reduction, jawline refinement | Targeted contouring (lips, cheeks, folds) | Versatile contouring (lips, cheeks, folds) |
Cosmetic injectables aren’t one-size-fits-all—they’re tools that can be customized to fit your goals, whether you want to soften expression lines, smooth acne scars, restore volume, or refine your jawline. At Travis Shaw, MD, every treatment begins with a full-face assessment and a one-on-one consultation to help you choose the right option for your anatomy and lifestyle.
During your next visit, we will make sure to go over all your questions. Give us a call at (804) 775-4559 to set up your appointment. Gorgeous skin is only a few units away.
