Restylane, Juvederm and Perlane: Which is the Best Dermal Filler for You?

If you’ve been wanting a smoother face, fewer wrinkles, and fuller lips, you’ve probably looked into dermal fillers as an option. You’ve also probably come across the three most popular injections – Restylane, Juvederm, and Perlane. So, which do you use? We’ll give you the ins and outs of these three brands to help you decide which is the best for you.

Dermal Fillers: How Do They Work?

Let’s begin by squaring away what dermal fillers actually are and how they are meant to work. To put it plainly, dermal fillers are injections usually filled with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance naturally found in parts of our bodies like the joints and eyes.

Dermal fillers literally fill the desired location of the face with hyaluronic acid and various other substances. As the face fills, it begins to rise and plump. The wrinkles are smoothed out and the face (or lips) become fuller. Dermal fillers typically last anywhere from 6 to 18 months depending on the brand. The period of effectiveness helps to reduce the chance of over-usage.

There are normal side effects you can expect to experience after injections. These include redness or bruising at the injection site. Some may even experience pain, itching, and swelling. Yet there’s no cause for alarm as these reactions may fade completely in a few days.

The Injections

Now that we know how dermal fillers work and what they’re supposed to do, let’s begin to compare them.

1) Restylane

Restylane is the original dermal filler. It was the first filler to be approved by the FDA. Mainly composed of hyaluronic acid, the makers of Restylane assure patients that it is not sourced from animals. Even though Restylane can be used to smooth out wrinkles, it is more commonly used for lip injections.

Restylane has several different dermal fillers that target specific areas of the body. Some are stronger than others, while some may have other compounds mixed in. For example, Restylane Lyft is for the back of the hands and face. Compared to Restylane Silk (a smoother, lighter injection), Restylane Lyft is a heavier, more concentrated mixture that is also combined with Lidocaine, a numbing agent that will minimize the pain from the injection.

2) Perlane

Speaking of Restylane Lyft, believe it or not, Perlane is actually Restylane. In 2015, Perlane was rebranded as Restylane Lyft. Even though it’s part of the Restylane family, it was purposely created to be easily injected into the tougher parts of the body like the back of the hands and the middle area of the face. As we mentioned, this gel is far thicker than the original “recipe”. So, depending on which part of the body you are interested in treating, Restylane aka Perlane may be what you’re looking for.

3) Juvederm

Out of these three dermal fillers, Juvederm is the most popular. It is the number one selling filler in America. Like Restylane, Juvederm has a collection of fillers specifically for the various parts of your body. Depending on the type of Juvederm filler being used, the results of an injection can last anywhere from one to two years.

Putting It All Together

Generally speaking, there isn’t much of a difference between the three dermal fillers. All use hyaluronic acid, some include lidocaine, they all have the same effect, and they are all used in the same way. However, upon closer inspection, the differences begin to appear.

• Juvederm is said to last longer, about 1 to 2 years, while Restylane and Restylane Lyft can last anywhere between 6 to 18 months.
• Both Juvederm and Restylane (Restylane Lyft included) work particularly well in specific areas. Juvederm seems to be more effective on under-eye bags, whereas Restylane works best for the lips.
• Due to how long the effects last, patients tend to receive Restylane injections more frequently.

As you can see, the differences between these three dermal fillers aren’t very substantial. To determine which injection is best for you, reach out to The Dermatology Group. Our experts can review side effects, costs, and expected results with you and help you come to a decision. If you’re in the greater Ohio area, give us a call today.