What's the Right Juvederm Injection for Lips?

The variety of Juvederm used is really less important than correct technique. Understanding the changes that occur to the lip is essential and addressing these changes is crucial to making a patient happy. Anatomic Changes to the Lips As the aging process progresses, several factors come into play with the lips: The vermillion border or junction between red and white lip thins out, and becomes less full. The white portion of the lip elongates, and the red portion of the lip deflates,... more

When Juvederm was released in Europe and Canada, it was available as Juvederm 18, 24, and 30. Both 24 and 30 were also available in HV. Basically these different numbers mean a different viscosity, or "thickness" of the Juvederm. They are all hyaluronic acid products. In the U.S., Allergan, the manufacturer, only released Juvederm Ultra and Juvederm Ultra Plus. Ultra used to be known as 24 HV Ultra Plus was the 30 HV This is all quite confusing to the consumer, but the... more

Lip augmentation is a very fun procedure with immediate results! Juvederm Ultra Plus is a denser, thicker, product when compared to Juvederm Ultra. I prefer to use the Juvederm Ultra Plus when I augment the lip. I feel that the product tends to last longer and give a nice smoother result. If the patient has vertical lip lines, or wrinkles surrounding the mouth, I like to combine the treatment with Botox. I find that the Botox really smoothes out those lines, and it also tends to... more

The numbers reflect the thickness of the product, with higher numbers for thicker formulations. In the US, only Juvederm 24 and Juvederm 30 are available. Juvederm 24 is called Juvederm Plus Juvederm 30 is called Juvederm Ultra Plus They differ in the thickness of the gel Typically, I prefer to use Juvederm Plus in the lips, but one size doesn't fit all, and I have had great results for lip enhancement with both products. It is important to discuss with your doctor what your lips look... more

Juvederm is a soft and gel-like product that feels and looks very natural when injected into the lips. As always, the key to this treatment is proper training and injection technique. It is my favorite filler to use in this location!

Since fillers into the lips is technically off-label, it is a matter of experience and judgment in deciding what works best there. Juvederm 18 may be a little bit smoother than the thicker versions but may also not hold its shape as well in a very mobile area such as lips. Personally, I prefer Juvederm Ultra Plus for lips most of the time. Good technique is more important than choice of HA product, especially with lips.

In short, there is no "best" form of Juvederm for lip augmentation. Juvederm 18 is the lightest or thinnest form of Juvederm and is not used in the United States. Juvederm Ultra is equivalent to Juvederm 24 HV. Juvederm 30 HV is equivalent to Juvederm Ultra Plus. (HV stands for high viscosity.) Whether a physician uses Juvederm Ultra or Juvederm Ultra Plus is not as important as to how it is injected. The amount, direction, and depth of the injection will have the most... more