Types of Lip Fillers: Different Brands, Best Ones and How They Work

• Lip fillers are the most popular non-invasive cosmetic procedure in the US.
• Hyaluronic acid fillers are the preferred choice of dermatologists, due to their safety and the duration of their effects.
• Collagen fillers are still available as an alternative treatment, although their results are less immediate.

Lip fillers are injectable treatments containing hyaluronic acid or collagen to significantly improve lip volume. They are considered to be a safe treatment, with little downtime and few side effects. There are many different types of dermal fillers, each with their own benefits.

Hyaluronic Acid Lip Fillers

Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are the most popular choice of injectable treatments. HA fillers have been found to be safer and provide more immediate effects than other filler alternatives, such as collagen. When injected, HA fillers instantly plump the lips, while also stimulating your skin’s natural collagen production.

Juvéderm

Juvéderm is a brand of dermal filler used to add volume to your lips, as well as restoring lost volume in the cheeks and around the mouth. Compared to other brands, such as Restylane, Juvéderm has a smoother gel formulation that allows it to move around and evenly plump the lips. There are various types of Juvéderm filler; Juvéderm Ultra XC and Juvéderm Volbella XC are specially formulated to plump your lips.

The effects of Juvéderm are observed straight after the procedure, although you will need to wait for any swelling to go down before seeing the final result. On average, the results from Juvéderm last around for up to twelve months.

Restylane

Restylane is a HA filler most commonly used to plump the cheeks and lips, but it is also used to reduce lines and wrinkles in other areas of the face. Restylane has a firmer gel consistency compared to Juvéderm, which means it maintains a firmer and more rigid position at the injection site. Restylane Silk has been specifically developed for lip augmentation. It’s important to note that Restylane cannot be used by those under the age of 21.

Much like Juvéderm, you can expect to see visible results right after the procedure. With any dermal fillers, you’ll need to wait for the swelling and redness to ease before seeing the actual results. The results from Restylane lip injections last around six months on average but may last for up to ten months.

Perlane

Perlane is a form of HA filler, also referred to as Restylane Lyft. Much like other Restylane products, it has a thicker and more rigid gel formula. It has larger particles than other HA fillers and is primarily used to treat more severe and deeper wrinkles on the face. The effects of Perlane typically last around six months and can be noticed immediately after the procedure. However, it is not typically used for lip augmentation due to its dense formula.

Collagen Lip Fillers

Collagen was once the main ingredient used in lip fillers; however, it is now less commonly used in favor of the safer HA alternative. Collagen lip fillers primarily work by boosting the skin’s collagen levels, instead of providing an instant plumping effect.

Bellafill

Bellafill is a collagen lip filler containing a combination of bovine collagen and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) beads. It is primarily used to treat acne scars, by filling out the skin while also stimulating collagen growth. Bellafill is not currently approved as a treatment for lip augmentation. However, it is sometimes used off-label to treat the lips, with immediate plumping results. The effects of Bellafill last much longer than any other filler alternative, lasting an average of five years.

Sculptra

Sculptra is another injectable collagen treatment. Its primary ingredient, poly-L-lactic acid, is absorbed into the body, which then encourages collagen production in your skin. Unlike fillers, Sculptra cannot provide immediate volume to the face. Sculptra is used to gradually restore fullness back to wrinkled areas of the face and is not typically chosen for lip augmentation. The effects of Sculptra typically last between two to three years.

Which Lip Fillers Are the Best?

The following types of filler are best suited for lip augmentation, as they are developed for use on this area:

• Juvéderm Ultra XC
• Juvéderm Volbella XC
• Restylane Silk

The cost of your treatment will depend on the volume of HA used, as well as the total number of procedures required to achieve the desired results. According to statistics, one syringe (1ml) of HA filler will typically cost around $682 on average.

The effects of Juvéderm have been found to last slightly longer with visible plumpness remaining for up to one year, compared to Restylane’s average of ten months.

The potential side effects of Juvéderm and Restylane are the same and may include swelling and redness at injection sites, bruising, and temporary numbness.

What are natural lip fillers?

While HA and collagen are both naturally produced by the body, lip fillers contain a lab-synthesized form of these ingredients.

If you are looking for a natural lip filler alternative, try using a topical lip plumping product containing natural ingredients such as peppermint and cinnamon. These ingredients act as mild irritants and increase the blood flow in your lips, making them appear fuller. Alternatively, use a sugar lib scrub to improve the circulation in your lips.

Takeaway

Soft tissue fillers are an effective method of lip augmentation, offering immediate results that can last up to 12 months. HA fillers are the safest form of lip filler and provide the most noticeable results. Juvéderm and Restylane are two leading HA filler brands among plastic surgeons, offering very similar benefits.

Collagen fillers are considered to be less safe yet are still available as a lip enhancing treatment. Some provide instant plumping benefits, while other types provide slower results by stimulating your skin’s natural collagen production.