Constance,
Wow! That was a long and very good question regarding hyaluronic acid fillers, Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm. You are right to be confused because of all the different fillers. It is only going to get worse. The fillers do have differences microscopically regarding how they are processed, how much crosslinking there is between molecules and how much of the actual hyaluronic acid is present. Clinically there is a little difference in the feel of the product as it injects and some people feel there is a difference in how the product feels in the face as well. Regarding that Restylane tends to have a little more body than Juvederm which in my opinion is better for folds. Juvederm tends to feel a little softer, which is why some people prefer it for lip injections. In general though good results can be achieved with either product. Regarding Restylane vs Perlane. Perlane has more cross-llinking and is therefore thicker, just like the difference between Juvederm ultra and ulta plus. The thicker products are better for deeper folds and the thinner products for lips and fine lines. Selecting which product to use is done at the consultation and varies between patients. Regarding the Juvederm commercial, looking overdone is a product of technique and quantity. I believe that our patients achieve very natural results. Please feel free to look at our photo gallery and decide for yourself. We look forward to seeing you.
Ed Buckingham
Tammy,
Great question. All of the fillers you mention, Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm hyraluronic acid fillers. They are great all purpose fillers for the face. They all inject very well, are smooth to the touch and provide great results. They differ in manufacturer and thickness. Restylane and Perlane are produced by one company, Medicis, and Juvederm (which comes in Juvederm ultra and Juvederm ultra plus by Allergen. Restylane and Juvederm ultra are comparable and Juvederm ultra plus and Perlane are comparable. The companies will define differences between there products by crosslinking, concentration etc, but for our conversation they are comparable. Restylane and Juvederm Ultra are the best for filling superficial lines. They are less thick and so therefore they can be placed through small needles and into a more superficial location. They both last between 6-9 months (sometimes up to 12 months) depending on the location of injection. Perlane and Juvederm Ultra Plus are thicker and more useful for filling up deeper folds or for volume augmentation. They may last a little longer. In general we tend to use Restylane and Juvederm Ultra for lips and superficial lines, Restylane for under the eyes and Perlane or Juvederm Ultra Plus for smile lines and marionette lines. We also use a product you didn’t mention, Radiesse. It is also a great filler for deeper lines. It lasts a little longer, 12-18 months, but is a little more firm to the touch.
Ed Buckingham
