Stupid Questions (there's no such thing): Aesthetics

Botox relaxes muscles; filler adds volume. Botox is a muscle relaxing injection that softens lines caused by movement, such as frown lines, forehead lines and crow's feet. Filler is a soft gel, most often made from hyaluronic acid, a sugar your body makes naturally. It's placed under the skin to restore or add volume to areas like the lips, cheeks and jawline, and to soften deeper lines that show even when your face is resting.

Botox takes a few days to work, while filler shows straight away. Some clients have one, some have both, and a good practitioner will talk you through which suits you.

Most people say it hurts far less than they expected. Botox uses a very fine needle, and each injection feels like a tiny, quick pinch. The whole treatment usually takes around ten minutes, so it's over almost as soon as it starts. Some areas feel a little more sensitive than others.

If you're nervous about needles, say so at your consultation. Your practitioner can talk you through each step, go at your pace, and may offer a cool pack or numbing cream to keep you comfortable.

Not if you don't want them to. Most clients now ask for a soft, natural look, and a skilled practitioner can smooth lines while keeping your expressions. The amount used and where it goes make all the difference, so share exactly what you'd like at your consultation.

Many practitioners start with a lighter dose on a first visit and check in a couple of weeks later, adding a little more only if you want it. Friends are more likely to say you look well rested than ask what you've had done.

No. When Botox wears off, your muscles gradually move as they did before and your face returns to how it would naturally look. It doesn't make lines worse or speed up ageing. Some clients feel they look older simply because they've got used to smoother skin for a few months.

In fact, regular treatment over years may mean fewer deep lines than you'd otherwise have, because the skin has been creased less often. You can stop any time and simply carry on ageing at your own natural pace.

Yes to both, with a little patience for the first few hours. Most practitioners ask you to stay upright for about four hours after treatment and to avoid pressing on or rubbing the area. After that, you can lie down and sleep as normal.

Frowning, smiling and chatting are all fine. Some practitioners even suggest gently moving the treated muscles soon after treatment, while others prefer you to keep things relaxed. Advice varies a little between clinics, so always follow your own practitioner's aftercare.

Yes, after a short pause. Light activity such as walking is fine on the day, but most practitioners suggest saving workouts, hot yoga and anything that leaves you red and sweaty for about 24 hours. That also stops you wiping or pressing on your face while it settles.

For drinks, it's usually best to wait around 24 hours too, as alcohol can make bruising more likely. It won't stop Botox working, so there's no need to worry if you've already had one. Always follow your own practitioner's aftercare.

Botox starts working within a few days and usually lasts around three to four months. Most people notice a change within one to three days, with the full result showing at about two weeks, so give it time before judging. That's why many practitioners book a review at around the two week mark.

How long results last varies from person to person, and some clients find theirs last a little longer. When movement starts to return, you can simply book again if you'd like to.

In the tiny doses used for treatment, it's considered safe. Botox is made from a purified toxin, but each dose is carefully measured and stays in the muscle where it's placed. It has been used in medicine for decades.

Botox is a prescription medicine in most countries, and the rules on who can prescribe and inject it differ from country to country. Check your local rules, choose a qualified, insured practitioner who uses a licensed product, and never buy it online to use yourself. If you notice difficulty swallowing, slurred speech or trouble breathing after treatment, get medical help straight away.

Filler isn't permanent, but it can last longer than many people expect, and occasionally it can move. Most filler is hyaluronic acid, which your body breaks down slowly. Scans have shown some filler lingering for years, particularly when a lot has been added over time. Movement away from where it was placed is uncommon and is linked to large amounts or frequent top ups.

The reassuring part: hyaluronic acid filler can usually be dissolved by a practitioner if needed. A skilled injector who uses modest amounts keeps results soft. If anything ever looks or feels wrong, contact your practitioner.

It can be for some people, but many in their twenties don't need it yet. The idea is that relaxing a muscle early means fewer lines get etched into resting skin, and there is some evidence that regular treatment does this. Lines also depend a lot on your genes and sun habits, and because results wear off, it's an ongoing cost.

Daily sunscreen and a lovely skincare routine are a brilliant place to start. If faint lines already stay when your face is relaxed, a qualified practitioner can tell you honestly whether treatment would help. Treatment is for adults only.

Not when it's done with care. Filler placed in sensible amounts supports your features and is gradually broken down by your body. The stretched, puffy look people worry about comes from a lot of filler added often over many years.

A skilled practitioner will look at your whole face, suggest only what you need, and tell you honestly when less is more. When modest amounts of filler fade, your skin doesn't sag, it simply returns to how it was. Spacing treatments and having regular reviews keeps results looking fresh and natural.

No, Botox isn't addictive, and you can stop whenever you like. There's nothing in it your body comes to depend on. If you stop, the effect simply wears off over a few months and your face returns to how it would naturally be.

People keep going because they enjoy the results, not because they have to. Some clients have treatment a few times a year, some only before special occasions, and some try it once and decide it's not for them. It's always your choice.

They can be, if you're after brighter, more hydrated skin rather than a lift. Skin boosters are tiny droplets of hyaluronic acid injected across an area to improve skin quality, such as hydration, smoothness and elasticity. They don't add volume the way filler does.

Most people have a course of two or three sessions a few weeks apart, then a top up every four to six months. Results tend to be subtle and build gradually, so think glow rather than transformation. Your practitioner can tell you honestly whether they suit your skin and goals.

Professional microneedling works well, especially for acne scars, texture and fine lines. A trained practitioner uses sterile needles to make tiny, controlled channels in the skin, which encourages it to repair and renew. Most people have a course of three to five sessions a few weeks apart, and skin may look pink for a few days.

Home rollers don't give the same results, and pressing too hard or overusing them can lead to irritation, infection, scarring or spreading cold sores and warts. For results you'll love, leave the needles to a professional.

You might get a small bruise, but most people go straight back to work. Botox can leave tiny bumps that settle within minutes and, now and then, a small bruise you can cover with makeup once your practitioner says it's fine. Filler, especially in the lips, is more likely to cause swelling and some bruising for a few days.

If you have a wedding, holiday or big event coming up, book a couple of weeks ahead so everything has time to settle. Your practitioner will tell you what to expect, and always follow their aftercare.

Yes, sneeze away. Once Botox is in the muscle, a sneeze or a cough won't move it or change your results. Hay fever season, winter colds and dusty rooms are all completely fine.

The thing practitioners ask is that you avoid rubbing or pressing on the treated area for the first few hours. So when you reach for a tissue, dab gently rather than giving your face a big rub. Always follow your own practitioner's aftercare.

No, you haven't ruined it. Tears won't move Botox or change your results, so please don't add that to whatever made you sad. What matters in the first few hours is avoiding rubbing or pressing on the treated area.

So if the tears do come, dab your eyes gently with a tissue rather than wiping hard. Give your results the usual two weeks to show fully, and if you have any worries at your review, your practitioner will happily take a look.

No, lip filler can't pop like a balloon. Filler isn't a pouch of liquid sitting in your lip. It's a soft gel that settles into the tissue, so there's nothing to burst. Once it has settled, everyday life, from laughing to biting into a big sandwich, won't make it leak out.

In the first day or two, be gentle and avoid pressing on your lips while any swelling goes down. If you ever notice severe pain, unusual colour changes or anything that seems wrong, contact your practitioner straight away.

Yes, a comfortable hat is fine. A loose hat or beanie won't press hard enough to affect your Botox. The only thing to avoid for the first few hours is anything tight that squeezes the treated area, such as a snug headband, a hat with a firm band across your forehead, or sports headwear.

If it's chilly on the way home, a hood is a cosy choice. After those first few hours, wear whatever hat you love. Always follow your own practitioner's aftercare.

Yes, you can. Your hairstyle won't change how Botox works, because the product relaxes the muscle wherever it's been placed. Wear it high, low, sleek or messy.

Many practitioners suggest avoiding anything that presses or pulls hard on the treated area for the first few hours, so a softer style on the day is a nice idea. And whatever treatments you have, your hairline will thank you for giving very tight ponytails a rest now and then, as constant pulling can thin hair at the front over time.

Usually yes, after the first day or two. Many practitioners suggest skipping straws for about 24 to 48 hours, because pursing your lips and the suction could put pressure on fresh filler while it settles.

The risk is small, and some practitioners don't mention straws at all, so if you've already sipped through one, try not to worry. Drinking straight from a glass or cup is lovely in the meantime, and after that, straws are back on the menu. Always follow your own practitioner's aftercare.