What is the Difference Between Juvederm® and Restylane®?

Juvederm® and Restylane® are dermal fillers that are injected into the skin to fill deep lines and plump up certain areas of the face. While both Juvederm® and Restylane® are made of hyaluronic acid, they have different concentrations of the chemical. The products require a different amount of healing time, and a dermatologist usually chooses which dermal filler he or she will use depending on the type of line or area of the face that will be injected. Results of the procedure last longer depending on the product used.

Both Juvederm® and Restylane® are gel formulas injected into the dermis layer of skin to fill marionette lines, creases that form from the side of the nose to the side of the mouth, and other deep wrinkles. Juvederm® and Restylane® are usually not used on forehead creases and crow’s feet because the wrinkles are not deep enough for the products to be effective. They are also used during lip enhancement to increase the amount of collagen in the lips. Both work to hydrate and plump up the skin, so the products can also be used to treat uneven skin tone and acne scarring.

While Juvederm® and Restylane® are very similar, there are slight differences in the products. Juvederm® is a much smoother product so many dermatologists prefer to use it as a lip filler or in areas that require the doctor to mold the filler. Restylane®, a product that is harder to mold but stays in the area it is injected, is commonly used in areas like the hollow spaces under the eye where the spread of the product would create unwanted results.

Juvederm® has a higher concentration of hyaluronic acid than Restylane®. Restylane® syringes contain more of the product, about 0.1 to 0.2 cc more, and the injection results typically last for six months, while Juvederm® results last three to six months. Both product injections can cause swelling, redness, and bruising, but Juvederm® side effects tend to disappear within a day, while the effects of a Restylane® injection can last for a few days. The cost of both products is usually the same, but this may depend on the office where the procedure is performed.

Both Juvederm® and Restylane® are fairly safe products that rarely cause serious side effects, but there are a small percentage of people that develop granulomas from the injections. These are small lumps that form under the surface of the skin from an immune response to the injection. People should consult a dermatologist who can recommend the right produce for the procedure.