Juvederm vs. Restylane? Coke vs. Pepsi?
Juvederm and Restylane are two high quality fillers from two good companies. I like both. I use both. There are subtle differences between them for the most part.
Both companies have some spin to make their product sound better.
Some doctors may push one or the other because they get better pricing on one over the other. Both are ‘mid-sized’ molecule hyaluronic acids.
For most applications, they are like Coke and Pepsi. Some people must have Coke. Some must have Pepsi. Some ask “What’s on sale?”
Two small differences of note:
1. Juvederm is more hydrophilic than Restylane. This is an advantage in the nasolabial folds (Lose your parentheses). Juvederm gives you a little more ‘oomph’ 48 hours after injection
Doctor Bryan C. McIntosh, MD, Bellevue Plastic Surgeon – 54 Year Old Man Treated With Juvederm To Nasolabial Folds
+This is a distinct disadvantage in the tear trough. Juvederm has been knocked for creating prolonged swelling in the lower eyelids. I use Restylane for tear troughs, not Juvederm.
2. Juvederm has a bit more than 1cc (about 1.2cc) in the syringe. A small bonus. (Luke J. Curtsinger, MD, Savannah Plastic Surgeon)
Juvederm vs. Restylane: What’s the difference?
Juvederm and Restylane belong to the same category of molecules — hyaluronic acid or HA. The difference is in the preparation, including the size of the molecules and the thickness of the solution. Many surgeons, myself including, like the somewhat thinner (less viscous) Restylane for the areas under the eyes (tear troughs).
For other areas of the face, including lips, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines, I prefer Juvederm because — on average, in my practice — it seems to last a little bit longer. Costs are comparable in the San Francisco Bay Area. (Evan Ransom, MD, FACS, Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon)
I prefer Juvederm for the cheeks and the nasolabial folds, since it easily outlasts Restylane in these areas. However, I prefer to use Restylane for the tear troughs and the lips – it seems to work better in those areas, and stays long enough. (Renita (Lourdhurajan) Rajan, MD, DNB, India Dermatologist)
The skinny about Juvederm vs Restylane
There IS NO BEST comparison between Restylane and Juvederm. They both contain Hyaluronic acid (HA) which although naturally found in our bodies, has been engineered to last longer by cross linking. They are produced by 2 large multi national corporations that have Billions of dollars to make or lose by convincing you and others that their product is the best.
The vast majority of Plastic Surgeons use BOTH products and others preferentially using one over the other for certain areas. Most would now prefer Restylane around the upper cheeks / lower lids because it is associated with less swelling.
Dr Lisa Lynn Sowder, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon – Filler To Nasolabial Folds
Most of us would use both products and their thicker variants (Perlane or Juvederm Ultra Plus) along the Nasolabial (nose to mouth) folds. Most would use Juvederm in Lip augmentation but would use either product along the margins of the lip. (Peter A. Aldea, MD, Memphis Plastic Surgeon)
Juvederm vs. Restylane: More cross-linking in Juvederm
Juvederm and Restylane are both hyaluronic acid based fillers, which are non-animal derived and approved for filling smile lines (nasolabial folds). There are a couple different forms of Juvederm: Ultra and Ultra Plus, as compared to just Restylane.
The difference in all three forms is the cross-linking which binds the hyaluronic acid tighter and likely prevents the degradation of the molecule, and may increase longevity. Ultra Plus Juvederm is more form stable and stiffer, versus the other forms.
Dr. Evan Ransom, MD, FACS, Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon – Juvederm For Nasolabial Folds
I prefer the Ultra Plus, but there is a learning curve to being comfortable injecting it, as it is less forgiving and can be lumpy. All hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved, though the Juvederm products may need more hyaluronidase secondary to their tighter cross linking.
If you are considering fillers, all are safe and predictable if injected properly and in the right amount. (Andrew P. Trussler, MD, Austin Plastic Surgeon)
Juvederm and Restylane Are Excellent Choices For Nasolabial Folds
Juvederm and Restylane are great choices, but not the only options. Both of the drugs are from competing product lines.
They are both hyaluronic acid fillers with similar composition. However, each product line has a specifically designed for particular use in treatment areas with varying viscosity or particle size.
I use Juvederm Ultra Plus for lips and smile lines (Nasolabial Folds) and Voluma for adding lost volume to the cheek area. However, I prefer Restylane around the eyes specifically in the tear trough region mainly because of the thickness of the skin the extra swelling around the eyes.
For moderate to severe nasolabial folds, vertical lip lines and other lines and folds around the mouth, I think Belotero is an excellent alternative when injected superficially. The aforementioned injectable fillers are excellent for their purpose, however the effects can last somewhere in the 2 year range.
Another filler, Bellafill, can last up to 5 years and has a variety of applications ranging from the treatment of smile lines to non-surgical rhinoplasty (Robert W. Sheffield, MD, Santa Barbara Plastic Surgeon)
Juvederm and Restylane are very similar. (Think Coke vs Pepsi)
There aren’t any major differences between Restylane and Juvederm from the stand point of their chemical composition (both = hyaluronic acid), ease of use and consistency/longevity of result.
Both products are great and work very well when used appropriately by an experienced MD. Having used both products extensively over the years, I do agree with my colleagues that Restylane is better suited to the lower eye area (tear trough) because of its slightly firmer and more granular composition, whereas Juvederm works best when adding volume to the lips, nasolabial folds and cheeks because of its softer and smoother consistency (and tendency to ‘plump’ up more than Restylane).
Since the difference between the two products is more or less negligible, the most important decision you’ll need to make is not which filler to use but rather, who your injector will be. Just as with any other cosmetic procedure, the difference between an acceptable and excellent result usually boils down to the experience, expertise, attention to detail and aesthetic taste of the surgeon. (William F. DeLuca Jr, MD, Albany Plastic Surgeon)
Hydrelle Injection For Treating Laugh Lines Or Nasolabial Folds With Dr Sanusi Umar, MD, Redondo Beach Dermatologic Surgeon
Both are great products
Restylane and Juvederm are both hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. They are both safe and FDA approved and I use them both equally depending on where I’m injecting. I like to use Restylane in the tear troughs and upper lip for a natural result.
Juvederm is best used in the smile lines around the mouth and lower mouth. (David Stoker, MD, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)
The difference between Juvederm and Restylane
Restylane and Juvederm are both excellent fillers. Both are composed of hyaluronic acid, a natural structure found within the skin. They differ slightly in the consistency of the gels. As the products are made by different manufacturers through different proprietary methods, the finished products are slightly different.
Both last about the same length of time. The duration of the products depends on where the products are injected. In areas of the face that move frequently, such as around the mouth, the products tends not to last as long as areas that have less facial movement.
Duration of the products also depends on the individual. Some individuals get a longer duration out of their fillers than others. Juvederm Voluma is a newly FDA approved filler that has been studied and may last up to 2 years but is only indicated for deep filling in the cheeks. (Karen Beasley, MD, Baltimore Dermatologic Surgeon)
Juviderm vs. Restylane? Its a tie!
After using both of these products for several years and performing hundreds of injections to all the common areas, I find that they are very similar in both effectiveness and duration of action. In my practice, we find that some patients have a definite bias toward one product or the other depending on which company has most effectively reached them with their marketing.
They are both excellent products for enhancing lips, smoothing wrinkles of the face. In my practice I feel some patients may get a little less bruising with Juviderm. On the other hand, I think I get a little more effective correction of wrinkles around the mouth with Restylane because it is slightly thicker.
Often, I suggest patients use Arnica to help speed the resolution of mild bruising which can occur. In my practice it really is a tie. The take home point is both are great products so you really can’t go wrong. (David L. Mobley, MD, FACS, Sarasota Plastic Surgeon)