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Radiesse Vs. Restylane, Which is Best Filler for Lips?

i want to get plumper lips (upper and lower). Is one filler better than another for lip augmentation? What about LiveFill?

Sort 18 expert answers by:
+4

Radiesse is a no-no in the lips.

The short answer is that Restylane is much better for lip enhancement. Radiesse (also known as Radiance) is a synthetic filler made from calcium hydroxyapatite, similar to bone. It is injected for soft tissue augmentation and fine lines and wrinkles. Using Radiesse in the lips is asking for trouble as it comes with a high risk for lumps and bumps (granulomas). If someone wants to inject Radiesse into your lips, I suggest you smile politely, say no thank you, and then run (don't walk) the... more
Jonathan Hoenig, MD
Beverly Hills Oculoplastic Surgeon
+2

Juvederm vs LiveFill for lip augmentation

Radiesse is not FDA approved for injection in the lips. It is a hydroxyapatite, a bone-like material, based. The FDA approval it did receive was with conditions, and for the nasolabial folds. Dissenting members of the FDA commission noted that after its approval, doctors would most likely start using it for unapproved "off-label" uses, such as the lips, which by your question has obviously already occurred. Extreme pain on injection, lumpiness and granuloma formation (permanent... more
Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lip Fillers

Radiesse is generally not recommended for lip enhancement as it is white in color and cannot be removed. Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm are better filler choices for the lips. Best of luck to you!
Philip Young, MD
Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lips

Radiesse is generally not recommended for lip enhancement as it can migrate with lip movements and cause lumps.  Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm are better filler choices for the lips.
Donna Bilu Martin, MD
Miami Beach Dermatologist
+1

Radiesse is probably not a good choice for lip augmentation.

I have over 10 years injection experience and spent a couple years learning that Radiesse is a fantastic material- just not for lip augmentation.  Stick to Juvederm or Restylane for lip injections.  Radiesse can and will form nodules in the lips regardless of injection techniques.  Removing this is quite difficult.  Be certain your doctor has years of experience performing these injections.  Do your homework!  Stay Healthy!
Todd Christopher Hobgood, MD
Phoenix Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Restylane is better than Radiesse in the lips

I would recommend Restylane or Juvederm for lip enlargement. Either one is less likely to leave you with nodules of the lips than Radiesse. Lots of fillers that work elsewhere in the face are simply too granular for the delicate contours of the lips.
Ronald Friedman, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Restylane for Lips

Radiesse should never be used in the lips. However Restylane, a form of hyaluronic acid gel, is an excellent filler for the lips (as is Juvederm). Hyaluronic acid gels are hydrophilic, drawing water into the injected site which helps maintain a smooth consistency.
Stephen Prendiville, MD
Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radiesse Should NOT be Put in Lips

Radiesse (formerly Radiance) is made of a calcium compound (calcium hydroxyapatite) obtained from sea coral. While it does well in many OTHER tissue augmentation applications it should NEVER be placed in the lips where it can cause palpable lumps. Restylane and Juvederm are MUCH better tools for lip augmentation. As to LiveFill, it is a trademarked operation which apparently involves the removal of fat/fascia grafts from your pubic region and threading them in the lip and face. Unless you... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Stay away from Radiesse in the Lips

Radiesse is an injectable product that is the most dene of all the injectables FDA approved on the market today. This is a great product that gives a deep feel to the lines and folds of the face in addition to increased volumes. Unfortunately, Radiesse it too denese for the lips and can form big lumps that take a very long time to go away. I would recommend that you stick to a product such as Restylane, Perlane or Juvederm for your lip. They will give you more natural results, if... more
Jacob D. Steiger, MD
Boca Raton Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lip augmentation facial fillers

As other have noted, avoid Radiesse in the lips. Hyaluronic acid filler (ex. Restylane), collagen, or fat injections are better considerations for lip enhancement, upper and lower lip. Radiesse is great for nasolabial folds and midface / cheek augmentation. Speak with a specialist to determine the appropriate lip augmentation options for you.
Houtan Chaboki, MD
Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radiesse not for lips

As you can see, the consensus of the experts is not to use Radiesse in the lips. And I agree. Even the representatives for Radiesse frown on its use in the lips. Regards from Miami
Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radiesse not the filler you want for lip augmentation

Radiesse is made of fine calcium granules and is a fine filler for nasolabial folds and cheek augmentation. However, there have been several documented cases of nodularity from Radiesse injection in the lips and should be avoided in this area.
William Ting, MD
Bay Area Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Radiesse in the Lips is a Definite No-No

Radiesse is a thick, paste-like injectable "implant" material definitely NOT SUITED for the lips. It's great for cheek and chin augmentation, deep facial folds and non surgical nose jobs, but stick to the hyaluronic gels for your lips. Restylane tends to cause more swelling in the lip body and for that reason many patients prefer Juvederm which provides a much lower "swelling profile". Because the lip is so mobile, fillers that are dense can clump and lump in the lip, so... more
Rebecca Fitzgerald, MD
Los Angeles Dermatologist
+1

Do not use Radiesse for lip augmentation.

Restylane is an excellent product for lip augmentation. It is not permanent which is good and bad. Good if you don't like the look. Bad if you do. Radiesse has been associated with lumps in the lip on occasion and most plastic surgeons feel it is better used in areas that are deeper (nasolabial folds). When I do a facelift, I have some fatty tissue in hand (SMAS) that is the by-product of the operation. It is placed as a graft and gives an excellent and permanent result.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Stick with a gel when injecting the lips

This is a great question as many patients inquire the difference between fillers and where they can be used. Radiesse is a good filler for deeper tissue, like cheek folds and soft tissue augmentation, though it is a calcium based product and can lead to stiffness and bumps (granulomas) in the lips. Hyaluronic acid based gels, like Restylane or better yet Juvederm Ultraplus provide a softer product to fill the lips. The gels have less longevity than Radiesse, but are reversible. Be careful... more
Andrew P. Trussler, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Restylane is better than Radiesse for the lips

Restylane is more easily injected than Radiesse, but this is not the main reason to use it. Lips are a very delicate area and it's very hard to hide injection mistakes when they occur in the lips. The fact that Restylane can be reversed (with Hyaluronidase) will decrease the risk of lip injections for you dramatically. It will also cut down on the risk of severe and prolonged swelling and granulomas (hard bumps that may develop after injection).
Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radiesse for lips

Although Radiesse is an excellent, longer lasting filler often used for the nasolabial folds and cheek bones, it would not be the safest filler to inject in the lips. Although longevity of results is important, safety is always the most important and so going with a hyaluronic acid filler such as Restylane or Juvederm performed by an experienced specialist injector is best.
Benjamin Barankin, MD
Toronto Dermatologist
+1

Avoid Radiesse on lips

Avoid Radiesse in the lips. Period. It has caused too many problems when injected in this location. It is great for cheek bone augmentation and nasolabial folds, but should NOT be used in the lips. If you want fuller lips that look & feel natural, then go with a hyaluronic acid gel (eg Restylane) or fat injections. Restylane can give you a 6 month benefit, and fat can last 2-3 years. LiveFill is not an injectable, but rather utilizes a fat fascia graft that requires surgical procedure to... more
Randolph Capone, MD
Baltimore Facial Plastic Surgeon
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