Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring sugar that has the incredible ability to bind to up to 1,000 times its weight in water molecules. This allows it to have a plumping effect on the skin, which helps to create a smooth, youthful appearance. As we age, however, the amount of hyaluronic acid that the skin naturally produces begins to diminish, which can give way to lines, wrinkles, creases and loss of facial volume.
To restore younger-looking skin, hyaluronic acid dermal fillers can be injected into the skin to achieve the desired look. But who knew there were so many different kinds of hyaluronic acid fillers? If you’re having trouble discerning the difference, take a look at this guide outlining some of the biggest differences between these common types of fillers for the face.
JUVÉDERM® XC
JUVÉDERM® XC is a popular choice to treat lines and wrinkles in the mid-face area, such as marionette lines and laugh lines. The main difference between it and other types of JUVÉDERM like VOLUMA® and VOLBELLA® is that its hyaluronic acid molecules are all the same size. This property generally makes JUVÉDERM slightly more spreadable than JUVÉDERM VOLUMA, which can make it a good option for larger areas of lines and wrinkles.
JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC
VOLUMA XC contains hyaluronic acid molecules of different molecular weights, which ultimately gives this filler a thicker, stronger gel consistency than other types of JUVÉDERM fillers. For this reason, VOLUMA is primarily used to plump up lost facial volume in your cheeks to create a more youthful appearance.
JUVÉDERM VOLUMA XC can last up to two years, although this will vary from person to person.
JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA® XC
VOLBELLA XC is similar to VOLUMA in that it also contains different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, but this filler contains the thinnest, most spreadable gel. This characteristic makes VOLBELLA an excellent choice for adding volume and definition to your lips.
VOLBELLA XC can last up to one year before you might need additional injections to maintain the same results.
Restylane®
Restylane® is another brand of hyaluronic acid filler that can offer very similar results to JUVÉDERM. One of the most notable differences is that Restylane tends to spread less readily than JUVÉDERM, which can be advantageous in certain situations.
Restylane is often used to fill in “smoker’s lines” around the mouth, and can also be combined with BOTOX®, an increasingly popular injectable wrinkle treatment, for enhanced results in this area.
How to Pick the Right Type of Filler for Your Face
With so many different options, you might be wondering how to decide which type of filler is right for you. The best way to choose is to schedule a consultation with an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon or Certified Advanced Aesthetician. He or she should be able to listen to your cosmetic goals and help you choose the most appropriate filler to meet those needs.
For some people, different brands of hyaluronic acid fillers work better than others, so you may benefit from trying a different brand of HA filler if you didn’t quite see the results you’d hoped for with your first choice.
Dr. Lee B. Daniel is board certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and General Surgery. He is a member of numerous societies including the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
