Pucker Up: How Each Type of Filler Reverses Different Signs of Aging On & Around the Lips
Lip fillers have been a popular nonsurgical treatment option for defying the signs of aging and plumping up a thin pout for decades, starting with liquid silicone in the 1960s and collagen injections a few years later. However, these substances have fallen out of favor and countless new brands and formulas have since emerged, which can be overwhelming when reviewing your options and trying to decide which type of lip filler is right for you.
If you’re confused, you’re not alone. Even seasoned filler-enthusiasts might have trouble navigating the subtle differences between Juvéderm®, Restylane® and other brands, especially when it comes to the lips. At Wink Medical Aesthetics near Austin in Lakeway, Texas, we’re here to help you crack the lip filler code and understand which options are best suited for adding volume and restoring a youthful, natural appearance you’ll love.
Cracking the Lip Filler Code: Hyaluronic Acid & Crosslinking
Most dermal fillers are made with hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance in the body that attracts water and keeps your skin looking firm, hydrated and youthful. When injected into areas of the face that have begun to sag or show the signs of aging, dermal fillers restore lost volume and instantly diminish the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles.
In order to address patients’ specific needs and treat a variety of concerns, dermal fillers are specially formulated for things like plumping up the lips, smoothing away lines or nasolabial folds, lifting the cheeks, enhancing facial contours and more. One method used to achieve this is through distinct crosslinking techniques, which is how HA molecules are bonded together to form a stable, lasting and cohesive product.
Because they come in varying “sizes,” you can crosslink HA molecules together in different ways to get fillers that are similar, but used to achieve certain aesthetic goals. For example, crosslinking HA molecules of the same size creates a single-consistently gel, while crosslinking various sizes results in a product that acts like both a thin and thick gel. And tighter crosslinking produces a denser consistency that lasts longer in the body.
The first generation of Juvéderm fillers is made with HYLACROSS™ technology that crosslinks together HA molecules of the same size. The second generation of Juvéderm Vol-named fillers uses the newer Vycross®, which tightly crosslinks molecules of different sizes. In comparison, Restylane dermal fillers are crosslinked but created with a sieving process that allows for unique particle sizing adapted to specific cosmetic concerns.
So, to sum up: how a filler is crosslinked results in a subtle (but important!) difference in how it works. If you’re still with us, let’s break down what this means for your favorite lip filler.
Finding the Right Lip Filler For You
Choosing the right lip filler can make sure you achieve your desired results. However, learning the subtle differences between these products isn’t nearly as important as having your treatment performed by a provider with proper medical training, in-depth knowledge of facial anatomy, and experience using all the brands and formulas they offer.
At Wink Medical Aesthetics, our licensed providers have spent years honing their craft and take the time to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. We can help you select the best filler based on your goals and plump up your lips with skillful artistry so you can enjoy a beautiful, satisfying and long-lasting outcome.
Below, you’ll find all of the fillers we routinely use for lips and mouth, and what makes each product unique in its application.
JUVÉDERM® Vollure
Juvéderm Vollure combines high and low crosslinking to create a consistency that’s somewhere between a thick and thin gel, creating a “happy medium” in terms of spreadability and durability. This makes it excellent at smoothing away smile lines, or nasolabial folds, that extend from both sides of the nose to the corners of your mouth.
Juvéderm Vollure is also ideal for hydrating and adding structure to the lips for a fuller yet still natural-looking appearance. It’s known for delivering soft and natural lip augmentation results that last a little bit longer — up to 18 months — than thinner formulas.
IDEAL FOR:
- Eliminating smile lines around the nose and mouth
- Treating marionette lines near the mouth and chin
- Hydrating and adding structure to the lips
- Noticeably enhancing the lips while maintaining soft, natural results
JUVÉDERM® Volbella
Juvéderm® Volbella contains the brand’s thinnest, most spreadable gel that’s perfect for filling in fine lip lines — also known as lipstick lines or smoker’s lines — that form around the mouth. This can give you a more youthful-looking pout without changing the volume of your lips.
However, Juvéderm Volbella is specifically formulated to add a subtle fullness to the lips. It can erase fine lines that form on the lips themselves, highlight vanishing lip borders, add volume to the upper and lower lips, and accentuate the ‘M’ or Cupid’s Bow. The formula’s lighter texture also ensures that your results will look natural and not overdone.
Because Juvéderm Volbella uses Vycross technology, it lasts much longer than similar dermal fillers. You can expect to enjoy plumper, fuller lips for up to one year.
IDEAL FOR:
- Erasing lipstick lines or smoker’s lines that form around the mouth
- Adding subtle volume, definition and softness to the lips
- Hydrating and rejuvenating thin lips
- Improving the appearance of a gummy smile
Juvéderm® Ultra XC
Juvéderm Ultra XC is also designed specifically for the lip area. It is more cohesive than Juvéderm Volbella with a thicker consistency, making it well-suited for adding lots of support and structure to the lips. It can also treat wrinkles that form around the mouth.
Typically, we recommend Juvéderm Ultra XC for patients with thinner lips or for those who prefer big lips with a poutier, plumper appearance. This filler is a thicker formula made with HYLACROSS technology, so it can last up to a year when injected into targeted areas.
IDEAL FOR:
- Adding support and structure to the lips
- Smoothing lip lines that form around the mouth
- Volumizing thin lips for a bigger, plumper pout
Juvéderm® Ultra Plus XC
Juvéderm Ultra Plus XC is significantly thicker than Juvéderm Ultra. Most often, it is used to correct the appearance of moderate to severe nasolabial folds or smile lines to give the nose, mouth and midface more youthful contours. It can also more effectively target volume loss and sagging in these areas and soften the appearance of marionette lines.
When used in the lips, Juvéderm Ultra Plus XC is typically used to add substantial fullness and structure. It can also define the lips and create a more balanced shape. Due to its density, this formula stands out as one of the lip fillers that can provide the most volume.
Like most other Juvéderm fillers, the effects of this product can last for up to one year.
IDEAL FOR:
- Correcting moderate to severe nasolabial folds (smile lines)
- Reducing the appearance of marionette lines around the mouth
- Adding fullness, structure and plumpness to the lips
- Creating more balanced lip proportions
Restylane®
The original Restylane formula is a thick gel developed to treat deep folds and moderate to severe facial wrinkles around the nose, mouth and chin. This includes nasolabial folds and marionette lines that can make you look older than you actually are.
However, it can also be used to enhance both the upper and lower lips by adding fullness and definition to give you a plumper, poutier appearance. And it can erase lines that form in the corners of the mouth (next to the crease of the lips) for a more youthful look.
Since Restylane is a thicker consistency, the results can last for up to 18 months.
IDEAL FOR:
- Softening nasolabial folds and marionette lines
- Volumizing thin lips
- Enhancing the upper and lower lips
- Treating the corners of the mouth
Get Plumper, Fuller Lips Today
If your lips have fallen flat or you’ve noticed the signs of aging on or around your mouth, we can help. Wink Medical Aesthetics near Austin in Lakeway, Texas, offers a number of dermal fillers that can be used to plump up your lips and give you the more youthful, beautiful pout you’ve always wanted — performed by experienced injectors you can trust. To schedule your consultation, click here to contact us or call our office at 512-263-2400.
