subject: Restylane And Juvederm Lip Enhancement [print this page] Lip enhancement is a term used to describe procedures designed to enhance or enlarge the lips. Some people are born with thin lips lacking a full pout whereas others have lips which thin or atrophy with age. Others simply want to have more full, or luscious, lips. Although there are surgical procedures which exist which can enlarge the lips, they are not commonly done, leave permanent scars and are irreversible. Injectable agents like Juvederm and Restylane are great alternatives used by cosmetic surgeons to enhance the lips on those patients requesting such a procedure. These pharmaceutical products are FDA approved, safe and effective. They do not require surgery in the traditional sense, cause no scarring, and can be titrated in amounts injected reducing the risk of "overdoing" the enhancement.
Resttylane uses Hyaluronic Acid to fill lips, as well as lines and wrinkles on the face. Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally found in the body and deteriorates as we get older causing the lips to shrink. The Restylane injection procedure is usually done as an outpatient procedure and can be completed in less than thirty minutes. The cosmetic surgeon will inject the Restalyne into the lips using an ultra-small needle thereby enlarging them. Depending on what a patient wants or needs, the procedure can be individualized to either fill the sides or corners of the lips, or to fill the center "cupids bow" area. Alternatively, the whole lip can be enhanced. Generally, the upper lips show more signs of aging than the lower, and thus the procedure is more often done to the top lip with a little less done to the bottom for balance.
After the procedure is completed, the patient may initially see some redness and swelling that should subside in one day. There is usually very little down time and patients can resume activities immediately after the procedure. The treatment usually costs anywhere between $500.00 and $700 for a single session and the procedure will not need to be performed again for at least 6 to 9 months.
Juvederm lip enhancement also uses Hyaluronic acid as an injectable filler for the lips, as well as lines and wrinkles on the face. The procedure is basically the same as with Restylane, except whereas Restylane is more of a liquid consistency, Juvederm is a gel type filler which may provide a smoother more natural look. The difference is debatable.
It is probably true that simply the doctor's preference in how the products flow through the syringe into the lips determines which product is used, or patient request for one product or the other. Since the two agents are made by two different drug companies, each drug company would make claims that their product is superior to the other. Occasionally promotions exist which can lower the price of the filler, and this may direct the usage with the patient benefitting from the price reductions. The price of Juvederm is about the same as Restylane and Juvederm injections have to be repeated in 6-9 months as well.
In summary, lip enhancement is available and has a role in overall facial rejuvenation. Restylane and Juvederm are used for lip enhancement and are very similar in their composition and the manner in which the procedure is performed. The procedure from beginning to end is nearly identical, including level of discomfort, cost, side effects, duration of procedure and overall satisfaction. Speak to your cosmetic surgeon to see if you are a candidate for the procedure.
