The Best Lip Filler

Introduction

Lip filler has continuously been gaining popularity as a way to refresh the appearance of the lips and give them a fuller look. But with so many different types out there it can be hard to decide which is the best lip filler out there for you and your individual goals. Between Restylane, Juvederm, Belotero, and Versa there are many choices of lip fillers to choose from, so we’ve broken them down by client’s major considerations and then summarized the ones we think are the best for certain goals.

What are hyaluronic lip fillers?

How do hyaluronic lip fillers work?

Why don’t injectors use collagen fillers for lips?

What is the best lip filler?

What are the types of lip filler?

Restylane Silk

Restylane Kysse

Juvederm Ultra

Juvederm Volbella

Belotero

Revanesse Versa

Which is the longest-lasting lip filler?

What is the best lip filler for a natural look?

What is the best lip filler for volume?

Which fillers should you avoid in the lips?

Can I do lip filler at home?

Special Considerations:

What is lip filler aftercare?

Conclusion

These are lip fillers made from a substance called Hyaluronic acid (HA). HA molecules are found naturally in our bodies and are responsible for keeping our skin plump and hydrated in appearance. That is why they look so nice and (usually natural) when injected into the lips.

Hyaluronic acid lip fillers work to plump the lips, increase hydration and improve shape when injected. The hyaluronic acid is injected in precise areas to give the best result. Once it is in the lips it will swell and pull water into the lips. Over time the swelling and hydration will even out and the filler will integrate naturally into the lips.

Collagen isn’t very common in lip filler anymore because there are better options out there, such as hyaluronic acid fillers. Old school collagen fillers were made out of animal products, such as pig or cow collagen, or from cadavers (deceased humans). These all had high risks for allergic reactions, poor results, and did not last very long.

The best lip filler for you will depend on several factors, such as: your age and skin quality, your baseline lip shape, your desired lip shape, and your medical history.

So if you are a younger with no medical problems and healthy skin and you:

1. Desire a full youthful plump or to go up a full size, your injector will choose a thicker, more robust filler such as: Juvederm Ultra (or even Ultra Plus), Versa, Or Restylane Kysse.
2. If you are wanting a subtle result or simply a more hydrated look, your injector might choose: any of the above diluted or in smaller amounts, or a softer filler such as Belotero, Juvederm Volbella or Restylane Silk.

If you are older you can still use the above options but if you have thinner skin or more lines around your lips your injector may need to do your lip treatment in 2 sessions. One to help with the lines and rehydrating the lips with a thin or diluted filler. Then another round with a more robust filler to add shape and volume. 

Discuss your treatment goals with your injector and defer to their expertise. Just because your best friend had ______ done and it looks amazing doesn’t mean it will be the same for you. Every person is unique and a good injector will customize the treatment for you and your unique goals. 

There are many different types of lip filler used in the United States but some of the most common include:

• Restylane Silk
• Restylane Kyss
• Juvederm Ultra
• Juvederm Volbella
• Belotero
• Revanesse Versa

We will briefly go through some of the most frequently asked questions about each and then summarize at the end.

Keep in mind that the price ranges are simply average. When you see an incredibly low price point online it might be a partial treatment or a discount from a newer injector.

Also, stay tuned for special safety considerations as well as our top picks at the end!

How much does Restylane Silk lip filler cost?

With most injectors a full treatment of Restylane Silk will cost between $600-$800 to achieve full correction in the lips.

What is the best use of Restylane Silk lip filler?

As indicated by the name, this is a lip filler meant to give a soft, silky look to the lips. It can be great for someone that wants a subtle improvement of their lips without them looking or feeling too firm. 

What are the benefits of Restylane Silk lip filler compared to others?

As above, the benefit of Restylane Silk lip filler over some of the others is it’s soft, subtle result. This is a good choice for an older client that just wants to hydrate and smooth out some lines. 

How long does Restylane Silk lip filler last?

With full correction (enough product injected) in a high movement area like the lips, Restylane filler tends to last for 6 months.

What are the cons of getting Restylane Silk lip filler?

The cons of getting Restylane Silk lip filler is that it only lasts 6-months. Most people that get lip filler done by the right injector absolutely love their results and want it to last forever. So this can be a bummer when it wears off so quickly.

Another observation many injectors have, including Ali at EMA, is that Silk tends to swell quite a bit more than some of its counterparts despite being a “softer” filler. So the first few days can be stressful for the client that wanted a subtle result and feels like they have huge lips for a few days or even a week.

Also as an injector, Ali is always wary of products that create a strong swelling response in the body (see special considerations below)

How much does Restylane Kysse lip filler cost?

With most injectors a full treatment of Restylane Kysse will cost between $600-$900 for the lips.

What is the best use of Restylane Kysse lip filler?

This product is a robust filler and is meant to be used to improve appearance, shape, and volume of the lips. 

What are the benefits of Restylane Kysse lip filler compared to others?

Restylane Kysse is great for anyone that wants a bigger change in their lips or a more noticeable result. It’s a more firm filler and can add a lot of shape when desired. This is the filler used most in the classic Julie Horne style “key-hole” lip pout. 

How long does Restylane Kyss lip filler last?

According to the FDA clinical trials for Restylane Kyss, this product lasts around 12 months in the lips. 

What are the cons of getting Restylane Kyss?

As mentioned, this is a more robust lip filler so if someone is wanting a very subtle result, this is not the lip filler for them. Also anecdotally, many of our local injectors when trying this product felt it did swell more than most of it’s counterparts and was a longer recovery process for most patients. One patient took a full month for the swelling to go down and the product to settle more naturally.  

How much does Juvederm Ultra lip filler cost?

Juvederm Ultra will cost between $600-$800 for a full treatment of the lips with most injectors.

What is the best use of Juvederm Ultra lip filler?

Juvederm Ultra is a very versatile filler and is not used just in the lips but all over the face. For lips it is moderately robust, similar to Versa (more below) and a bit less than Kysse (above). It is probably one of the most common fillers used for lips. 

What are the benefits of Juvederm Ultra lip filler compared to others?

Juvederm Ultra is one of the more common fillers used for lips so most injectors will be familiar with this one. It’s great for people that want to see more than just a slight change in their lips. It will add quite a bit of volume.

How long does Juvederm Ultra lip filler last?

Juvederm Ultra with full correction should last between 8 and 12 months in high movement areas like the lips. Because filler metabolizes over time, some patients will come in every 3-6 months for a touch-up. 

What are the cons of Juvederm Ultra in the lips?

This filler can be too much for some people if they are older or need a softer filler. Also any of the lip fillers that are highly cross-linked (see more below under special considerations) can cause problems in individuals with certain health issues. 

We have seen many clients with this filler up to 2-years later and still hasn’t completely gone away. A great problem for some clients and a nightmare for others that had poor placement elsewhere. 

How much does Juvederm Volbella lip filler cost?

Similar to Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Volbella will cost between $600-$800 for full treatment of the lips.

What is the best use of Juvederm Volbella lip filler?

Juvderm Volbella is best for use in the lips when someone wants a soft and more subtle result.

What are the benefits of Juvederm Volbella lip filler compared to others?

The benefits of Volbella over others is a soft, subtle result that lasts just as long as the more robust fillers.

How long does Juvederm Volbella lip filler last?

In most cases, Juvederm Volbella lasts 12 months. At this point your lips will still be fuller than they were before the injections, but will need additional maintenance injections. 

What are the cons of Juvederm Volbella?

The cons are that it is very subtle and soft for those that want a more noticeable look. More importantly, any of the lip fillers that are highly cross-linked (see more below under special considerations) can cause problems in individuals with certain health issues. 

How much does Belotero lip filler cost?

Belotero is the lowest cost lip filler on average, costing around $900 for lip treatments.

What is the best use of Belotero lip filler?

Belotero can be used in many areas of the face but is best in the lips when someone desires a very soft, subtle and hydrated look after their lip filler procedure.

What are the benefits of Belotero lip filler compared to others?

The benefit of Belotero is that it creates a soft, subtle look. Often times older clients or clients new to lip filler like to try this product first as a trial run.

How long does Belotero lip filler last?

Based on information from Merz, Belotero lip filler can last for 6 months in high movement areas like the lips.

What are the cons of Belotero lip filler?

The cons are that it only lasts 6-months and is only a subtle result for those wanting more change.

How much does Revanesse Versa lip filler cost?

Revanesse Versa lip filler can cost between $500-$800 for treatment of the lips.

What is the best use of Revanesse Versa lip filler?

Revanesse Versa is very versatile and can be used all over the face but is great in the lips for someone that wants a subtle yet noticeable result. 

What are the benefits of Revanesse Versa lip filler compared to others?

Revanesse Versa is a 3rd generation HA filler and the newest on the market. It is most commonly compared to Juvederm Ultra or Restylane without as many side effects. Anecdotally injectors love this filler in the lips because the difference is noticeable yet it settles very naturally. It also seems to have less swelling than some of its counterparts and patients heal quickly. 

How long does Revanesse Versa lip filler last?

In the lips, Revanesse Versa can last for 8-12 months but many people get touch-ups every 6-months to maintain. 

What are the cons of Versa in the lips?

There aren’t many cons with this lip filler but for aging patients, it may be too robust. A diluted version of this or a thinner filler might be better for those with a lot of lip lines or who need to be built up over time.

In order from longest lasting to shortest lasting lip fillers we have:

1. Restylane Kysse (12 months)
2. Juvederm Volbella (12 months)
3. Revanesse Versa (8-12 months)
4. Juvederm Ultra (8-12 months)
5. Restylane Silk (6 months)
6. Belotero (6 months)

This means that the longest-lasting lip filler out there is Restylane Kysse.

With the right injector, any of the lip fillers can be used to create a natural look. It’s much more about technique than just product. In certain cases product will come into play though. For instance we wouldn’t go straight to Restylane Kysse with a client of more advanced age that has really thin lips and a lot of lines.

In general, if just starting out a soft filler such as Belotero will give the most subtle results. It might be too subtle for some though. Talk to your injector about which filler will give you the results you desire.

The most commonly used lip fillers for volume include: Juvederm Ultra (and in some cases it’s thicker counterpart Ultra Plus), Restylane Kysse, and Revanesse Versa.

Non-hyaluronic acid fillers such as Radiesse and Bellafill should never be used in the lips as they will appear unnatural and can even cause damage. 

For the hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers we would not use super thick fillers such as Juvederm Voluma or Restylane Lyft in the lips. We have seen cases of other injectors doing this, and have even dissolved some of their clients at our office, and the result rarely looks good. The appearance is usually stiff and overfilled. If you desire a big change (and it would look natural on you, like you could have been born with those lips) this can be done with the right filler over several sessions. DON’T try to do it all it once, it won’t look good and has a much higher chance of migrating.

If you are not a medically trained aesthetic injector you should NEVER EVER try to inject yourself. Though you can find companies that will sell filler for at-home use, injecting yourself with lip filler could go horribly wrong. For one, you don’t even know what is in the product you purchased because if you were able to buy it without a license it is unregulated and actually illegal. You could be injecting baby oil into your lips for all you know (this has happened). 

Additionally, if you don’t know the correct technique, placement and anatomy you could get severe side effects such as: a vascular occlusion leading to tissue death or deformity, an infection, or other permanent damage. 

Lip filler experts like Ali have spent years learning and practicing the art of injection. With that experience they can achieve results that truly look natural and accomplish the results the client is looking for.

Something important to note is that if you have any history of severe allergic reactions, auto-immune disease, or any other hypersensitivities you will want to avoid fillers that are more “cross-linked” and longer-lasting. Cross-linking is where other chemicals or substances are added to the filler to make it last longer. This is because HA is turned over so quickly in the body so they have to add products to help it last or make the molecule much bigger. There are different levels of cross-linking for each type of filler. In general, the longer it lasts, the higher the cross-linking. 

If you have any of the above conditions it’s possible that your body may attack or have a stronger reaction to the longer-lasting fillers. Think of dermal fillers like an implantable device. The longer it’s in the body, the higher risk there could be a problem. Talk to your injector about your health history to decide what is safest for you.

Two of the most common side effects of lip filler injections are swelling and bruising. To avoid lip filler bruising and swelling you’ll want to ice your lips intermittently for 24 hours after your procedure. You’ll also want to consider taking Arnica to help reduce the swelling and inflammation. 

Use your procedure as an excuse to take a couple days off from the gym to rest and recuperate. For more info on how to take care of your lips before and after your procedure check out this guide we wrote to help clients.

Overall it’s not just about the best lip filler but rather what is the best lip filler for you? A qualified, well trained injector can help come up with a plan to get you the best result.

If you’re local in the Denver, CO area come chat with Ali at E.M.A. She is an advanced lip filler injector and has injected all of the products in this article and can go over the pros and cons of each.