Lip Fillers - Which Product to Use
Updated: Aug 20, 2021
Dr. Jenn has done over 6,000 lip augmentations, and takes a highly artistic approach to each procedure.
What are Lip Fillers made of?
Dermal fillers are primarily made of compounded forms of hyaluronic acid. Some thicker fillers use calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres. Other semi-permenant lip fillers utilize poly-L-lactic acid to stimulate collagen growth in the sub dermal layers. Patients looking for the most minimal subtle appearance should consider a gel based lip filler such as Silk or Volbella, but should not expect to see a large difference.
Most patients are very pleased with the look and feel of standard hyaluronic acid fillers such as juvederm xc and restylane refyne. We will go into each lip filler in detail below.
Differences in lip filler brands?
Firstly the viscosity (thickness) makes all the difference, a thicker viscosity will result in a more dramatic look, but will feel harder to the touch.
The feeling inside the lip can be a little strange at first but the patient usually gets used to it within a few weeks.
A thinner viscosity will be less noticeable but also much softer and more natural.
How long do Lip Fillers last?
The thinner the dermal filler, the quicker your body will metabolize it. The thicker the lip filler, the longer it will last.
On average a standard viscosity or medium density dermal filler will last about 8 months to 1 year. It does not go away all at once but fades slowly over time.
Semi permanent and permanent lip fillers such as silicone and sculptra can last much longer but have highly increased risks of granulomas, host rejections, and other contraindications.
Which brand is best?
Brand does not matter so much as the quality of the lip filler and the skill of the physician.
Below we have broken down the brands and their attributes to help clarify this.
Juvederm - wide variety of viscosity, very well known, trusted publicly, very expensive.
Restylane - widely used, well known, trusted, 3 viscosity types, medium price.
Versa - Trusted by doctors, not widely known, developed in France, less expensive.
Radiesse - best known for cheek fillers, 1.5cc XL syringes, thicker than most fillers but also harder, widely used, medium price.
Thin Lip Fillers
Restylane Silk
Juvederm Volbella
Thinner fillers can give a natural appearance but lack the luster of a more noticeable plumping effect. Good for patients with naturally thin lip tissue.
Standard Lip Fillers
Restylane - Refyne + Defyne
Juvederm - Ultra Xc
Versa
Standard filler viscosity suitable for most patients with normal lip tissue. Noticeable plumpness and fullness without hardening.
Thick/XL Lip Fillers
Voluma
Radiesse
Sculptra
Lyft
What are Lip Fillers made of?dDermal h naturally larger lip tissue that want an Extremely pronounced look, not suitable for all patients.