The two most popular choices of dermal fillers for lip treatments are Restylane and Juvederm, but how do you know which lip filler is better for you? Picking the right lip filler can define your entire lip filler experience, from your results to the side effects to the cost.
So which dermal filler is better for the lips, Restylane or Juvederm? Truthfully, there is no clear answer – Restylane and Juvederm are both highly rated hyaluronic acid dermal fillers that provide their own solutions to common lip issues, such as vertical lines and thin lips.
In this article, we discuss the differences between these two dermal fillers, helping you understand which dermal filler is best for you.
Why It’s Important to Choose the Best Lip Filler For You
If it’s your first time getting a lip filler, you might just think that all lip fillers are the same, or that it doesn’t matter which one you pick, but this actually isn’t true. The differences between lip filler types and lip filler brands are huge, and can change your entire experience with getting a lip filler.
Your choice of lip filler can shape a number of factors in the outcome of your treatment, such as:
- The stiffness of the filler
- The area most influenced by the filler, whether the lip border (also known as the vermillion border), the lip shape, or the lip body
- The down time after the treatment
- The time it takes for best results to show
- The cost
- The possible side effects
Like most potential patients, you might be tempted to ask your lip filler doctor or provider, “What is the best filler for lips available?” While this might not be a case of one-size-fits-all, there are two popular brands that most patients pick: Restylane and Juvederm. So which will work best for you: Restylane VS Juvederm for lips?
What is the Difference Between Restylane and Juvederm?
Restylane and Juvederm are similar in certain ways – both are dermal fillers which contain hyaluronic acid to plump up the lips and reduce wrinkles around the area. These dermal fillers can be applied to the patient in noninvasive (nonsurgical) methods.
There are a few crucial differences between Restylane and Juvederm. The main difference is their results – while Restylane Silk is known for treating lip lines and increasing lip augmentation, Juvederm Volbella XC is most commonly used for giving lips a mild plump and reducing any vertical lines right below the nose; Juvederm Ultra XC is most commonly used for plumping up the lips and contains lidocaine.
Restylane and Juvederm are both composed of the same foundational ingredients, however they show differences in side effects, cost, results, and terms of use. Below we compare each of their differences:
1. Effects
Restylane Effects – The Restylane product used for lip treatments is known as Restylane Silk, which was the first FDA-approved fillers in lips in the US. Restylane advertises itself as the best dermal filler option for patients looking for smooth, silky, and natural lips.
Doctors generally recommend Restylane for patients most bothered by lip lines and in need of lip augmentation. While there are other Restylane products for the lips, Restylane Silk is the most common choice for fillers in the lips.
Juvederm Effects – Unlike Restylane, Juvederm has two products for its fillers for lips line: Juvederm Volbella XC and Juvederm Ultra XC with lidocaine. Juvederm Volbella XC is best used for slight increase to lip volume and washing away vertical lines above the upper lip; Juvederm Ultra XC is specifically formulated to provide filler lips augmentation with lidocaine.
When using either Restylane and Juvederm, it is important to remember that your side effects can also depend on the type of lip treatment you get. A lip plump can lead to bruising and other symptoms that can last up to two weeks, while lip line treatment side effects might just last a week with or without pain.
Read more: Lip Injections Anesthesia Options for Reducing Pain
2. Procedure Time
Restylane Procedure Time – A lip filler treatment involving Restylane injections should take anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes per procedure. You can expect lip treatments to require shorter procedure times as compared to procedures on other parts of the face simply because there is a much smaller injection area to treat.
Juvederm Procedure Time – Juvederm and Restylane should take the same injection treatment time, anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Results
Restylane Lip Results – Restylane results can take a few days to start to show, but once they appear, ideal results will settle in almost immediately. Patients can expect results to last 10-12 months before they begin to fade.
Juvederm Lip Results – Unlike Restylane, patients can expect to see immediate results with Juvederm. Your ideal results should provide you with 12 months Juvederm lip results, before you can begin to see it fade.
4. Best Candidates
While both treatments might have FDA approval, they aren’t necessarily made for everyone. Both Restylane and Juvederm bring risks to the table that the patient should be prepared to deal with.
Restylane Best Candidates – For Restylane, patients should be at least 21 years old. They should also have no history of illnesses or medical complications that might lead to issues upon injection. These include bleeding disorders, any history of allergic reaction to lidocaine or hyaluronic acid, and any inflammatory conditions of the skin, including rosacea and eczema.
Juvederm Best Candidates – Juvederm’s candidate criteria are similar to Restylane’s – the dermal filler should only be injected to patients at least 21 years of age, and they should have no history of skin or bleeding disorders, and no allergic reaction to lidocaine or hyaluronic acid.
5. Dermal Filler Cost
The first thing you should be aware of is that health insurance does not cover dermal fillers. This is because dermal fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm are categorized as aesthetic procedures, particularly when they are used to fill in the lips.
While this might limit some potential patients, the good news is that these treatments are much more affordable than surgery and demand zero downtime.
The exact cost of your procedure will depend on a number of factors, including your area, the expertise of your provider or doctor, and any other specifics of your treatment. In general, the average cost of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers as recorded by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons falls at $682 for a single procedure. Contact your chosen provider for a more relevant quoted estimate.
Restylane Average Costs – When dealing with the cost of a dermal filler procedure, patients should be aware that they are paying per syringe of dermal filler. Restylane Silk can cost anywhere from $300 to $650 per syringe, depending on the location of your treatment and where the filler is injected.
Juvederm Average Costs – Juvederm products tend to cost slightly more than Restylane products. While some providers price their Juvederm for lip treatments at anywhere from $500 to $600 per syringe, other providers can be seen pricing their injections at $600 to $900 each.
While it might seem like a better idea to select Restylane due to its more affordable cost, note that Juvederm tends to last slightly longer than Restylane, meaning you would need fewer treatments, saving you money in the long run.
6. Side Effects
Many patients make the mistake of believing that noninvasive procedures are risk-free, simply because no surgery is involved. However, noninvasive treatments such as Restylane and Juvederm can still possibly lead to minor side effects.
Side effects as a result of dermal fillers are typically caused by a negative unexpected reaction of your skin to the formula. Some formulas simply don’t work well with some people, leading to issues such as scarring or irritation.
Restylane Possible Side Effects – Patients who undergo Restylane treatment in their lips can possible experience the following mild side effects:
- Bruising
- Tenderness
- Redness
- Swelling
More rarely, serious side effects can occur as well. These include:
- Death of the skin tissues around the injection point, also known as necrosis
- Infection
- Skin color changes, also known as hyperpigmentation
Patients who have inflammatory conditions of the skin, bleeding disorders, smoke, and any other relevant medical history should inform their doctor or provider prior to the procedure.
Juvederm Possible Side Effects – Juvederm generally brings about the same possible mild and serious side effects, including swelling, redness, tenderness, and bruising, as well as necrosis, scarring, and hyperpigmentation.
Some patients also occasionally report numbness, slight pain, and dry skin around their lips, however this should only last up to a few days after the treatment.
Remember: it is crucial that you pick a provider or doctor with years of experience providing successful dermal filler treatments to patients. While some complications are caused by a negative reaction between the patient’s lips and the dermal filler, most problems are caused by inexperienced providers with improper injection technique.
Want to Avoid Side Effects?
If you want to make sure that your lip filler experience is as easy and pain free as possible, there are a few steps you can take to prepare your body for the procedure. These include:
- Avoid extreme temperatures after the injection procedure, until minor side effects such as swelling or redness are gone (Juvederm encourages patients to avoid excessive sun exposure, and Restylane encourages patients to avoid cold temperatures)
- Avoid alcohol, tanning beds, and strenuous physical activity for 24 to 48 hours after the injections, as these can possibly add stress to your body during its initial healing
- Minor side effects such as redness and swelling are normal, and should fade away after 1-2 weeks, or just a few days. If symptoms persist or worsen, contact your provider or doctor immediately
Learn more: Lip Fillers and Your Smile: The Good and the Bad
Which Filler Is Best for Lips? Ask the Experts
If you are still struggling to pick your desired lip filler, it might be time to make an appointment at Ethos Aesthetics + Wellness, home of the most trusted dermal filler experts in New Jersey. We have assisted countless patients with lip fillers as well as other cosmetic procedures, and can help you figure out which lip filler will work best for you.
Contact us and let us help you choose your ideal lip filler today!
