What's Better for Lip Enhancement: Restylane or Juvederm?

It might seem that the question of which injectable to use for the lips would be a simple one. The reason that it isn't is because the lip unit encompasses far more than the red area we loosely call the lips.

The entire lip unit includes the philtrum (the two vertical columns extending upward from the center of the upper lip to the base of the nose, the white roll (the slightly projecting whitish border that rims the red border of the lips, the Cupid's bow, and the degree of projection of the red areas. It also includes considerations, such as the width of the entire white portion of the upper lip, and whether there are bar code lines above and below from aging and sun damage or transverse lines under the nose related to muscular activity in the area.

Today, the situation is fortunately not that of "All we have is a hammer, so everything has to be a nail." In other words, each of the areas above might need a different agent from our injectable "tool box."  For example, the red lips might be best treated with a smooth volumizing agent, like Juvederm UltraPlus XC, while the the philtral columns might respond best with a agent, like a Restylane L, a filler with more turgor (more lifting ability). Perlane L, a volumizer with a good lift, might be better suited for the depressed areas under the outer third of the lower lip, to give support to that region and diminish any sagging of the angles of the mouth. And Juvederm Ultra XC might be needed for a finishing touch to the angles of the mouth to give them the final straighening needed for a fresher, younger look.

Finally, if a transverse line is prominent directly below the nasal base, a tiny drop of Botox, a neuromodulator, and not a filler or volumizer at all, may be needed in addition to the other treatments mentioned.

I have been using Restylane for the lips for about 10 years now.  The results are fantastic.  Experience and knowing how to do the injection properly for best cosmetic results counts more than the material used.  The cost is around $400.

Both Restylane Kysse and Juviderm Ultra XC are great options for you.
If you want to treat multiple facial areas, JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC is going to be your best choice due to its versatility.
If you want fewer injections along with better flexibility, texture, and lip color, then Restylane Kysse is your best choice. Best, Dr. Emer

We prefer Restylane Silk and Restylane for a subtle lip enhancement!  The results are immediate, soft and provide a natural correction of lip lines. Restylane Silk  is FDA approved for this treatment.#Restylanelips  # lipvolume   #lipplumping

Currently yes, Restylane is the only FDA approved dermal filler for lips. Meeting with a well-trained and experienced injector is key to determining a successful outcome, whether it be Restylane or another dermal filler. You'll likely get very similar results with Juvederm and it often depends on injector preference.

Both products work well for lip enhancement. I prefer Juvederm for most lips, while I prefer Restylane for other facial sites, depending on volume deficit. You are correct though, Restylane is the only hyaluronic acid presently FDA approved for lip enhancement. Your doctor will choose the best filler for you depending on the structure and size of your lips, the level of volume restoration you are aiming for, and their personal preference/experience. Good luck!

Both Restylane and Juvederm are great products.  I like to use each for specific areas of the face. I find that they both work well to fill the lips. Juvederm is a little softer than the Restylane, and may be a better option for some patients.  Restylane is a great filler to improve the following areas:

1) Tear trough
2) Marionette lines
3) Nasolabial folds

Overall, it depends on the preference of the physician and you may find that one may prefer one filler over another for a certain area. Thank you and good luck!

I use both products in the lips.  Restylane is the first and only FDA approved Hyaluaronic Acid filler in the lips as of October 2011.  Juvederm may last slightly longer because of its higher level of cross-linking but both products tend to dissipate faster in the lips and in my experience lasts 4 to 5 months.   With either product, the success of your lip injections depends more upon the artistic ability of the injector than the product used.  With a detailed knowledge of lip anatomy and proper proportion, lip augmentation can look beautiful and natural.   Forget the trout pouts on TV, lip augmentation done well does not look that way.  

You asked whether Restylane or Juvederm are better for lips and while I generally like Restylane better for lips, other dermatologists may feel Juvederm is better in their hands. While Restylane is approved for lip augmentation, Juvederm is a great choice as well.  Every doctor has their preference, so it may be that yours likes one or the other.  The other thing that impacts it is whether there are special offers available at the time for one or the other.

The most important thing is to go to someone who has the same sensitivity to what you want as you do.  Going to the wrong person can end you up with lips that are poorly done and that look bad!  This is where the men and the boys are separated so to speak as it is very challenging to do a good lip area and just putting a product in the lips doesn't mean they will look good, so do your homework in advance.  Good luck

These two hyaluronic acid filler products share many similarities and also have unique product characteristics.  For an advanced injector such as myself, there is no question that Restylane is a far better product for lip enhancement than Juvederm.  For inexperienced injectors, Juvederm is a safer product as it is less prone to lumps and bumps.  The "smoothness" of Juvederm means that the product is much more likely to spread after being injected in the tissues.  This is good if you are an injector who is not able to precisely control the placement of this product.  Within a few days of treatment, the product spreads out and lumps and bumps tend to go away on their own.  Of course if you want to obtain a very precise treatment result such as placing a precise bead of hyaluronic acid filler along the potential canal between the white and red rolls of the lip, this volumetric effect rapids disappears with Juvederm but persists with Restylane.  Sometimes the drift of Juvederm leads to less than ideal treatment results such as flattening of the volumized lip edge.  The product can end up above or below the lip edge with less than flattering effect.  I do not advise making your injector use a product they are not comfortable with.  So if they get good results with Juvederm, please do not insist they use Restylane.  Ultimately if you do not get what you are looking for with a particular injector, find a difference injector. Who does your treatment makes a profound difference.