If you want natural-looking plumped lips, you have options. Today, there are many excellent lip fillers, each of which can create a slightly different look. Depending on your current lip volume and the look you’re going for, one filler may be better for you than another.
At the Z Center for Cosmetic Health, Dr. Zadeh uses three lip fillers: Restylane Kysse, Juvederm Ultra XC, and Juvederm Ultra Plus XC. All of these are hyaluronic acid fillers, so they use the same main ingredient to add volume to the lips. However, each has a different formulation. This affects each filler’s firmness and pliability, which in turn affects the type of look each can create.
So, which lip filler would be right for you? To help you understand your options, we’re going over everything you need to know about Restylane Kysse, Juvederm Ultra XC, and Juvederm Ultra Plus XC. First, we’ll give a primer on how hyaluronic acid lip fillers work. Then, we’ll compare the formula and effects of these three hyaluronic acid lip fillers.
Understanding Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Hyaluronic acid fillers are temporary dermal fillers that contain a synthetic form of hyaluronic acid, a sugar that naturally occurs in the body. The main benefit of hyaluronic acid is its ability to attract and retain moisture. When hyaluronic acid is injected into the skin via a dermal filler, it adds moisture and volume.
Hyaluronic acid fillers are temporary because the body naturally breaks down hyaluronic acid over time. The results of hyaluronic fillers can last anywhere from four months to a couple of years. How long a filler lasts depends on the specific type of filler used, your unique metabolism, and where the filler was injected. Hyaluronic acid fillers can also be dissolved before the body breaks down the filler on its own. Hyaluronic acid can be dissolved with an injection of an enzyme called hyaluronidase, which quickly breaks down hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic acid fillers are incredibly popular for plumping the lips and smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. People like hyaluronic acid fillers because they provide instant results, they can be dissolved, they don’t require plastic surgery, and they can look extremely natural when done by a skilled injector. Hyaluronic acid fillers also require little to no downtime and come with minimal risk of side effects.
While hyaluronic acid fillers all have the same main active ingredient, they don’t all produce the same type of results. The fillers we’re going over below–Restylane Kysse, Juvederm Ultra XC, and Juvederm Ultra Plus XC–have similarities. They can all be used to plump the lips, they can all be dissolved with hyaluronidase, they’re all FDA approved, and they all contain lidocaine, a local anesthetic that makes the injection experience more comfortable. But while these fillers have a lot in common, they also all have unique formulations. These three hyaluronic acid fillers contain different sizes of hyaluronic acid molecules and different types of molecule crosslinking, which affects each filler’s firmness and pliability.
Restylane Kysse
What Is It?
Restylane Kysse is a hyaluronic acid lip filler that’s designed to enhance lip volume, texture, and color. Restylane Kysse was specifically formulated to create “kissable” lips that look and feel as natural as possible.
What Makes It Unique?
Restylane Kysse is the latest lip filler from Restylane and the first to feature their XpresHAn (pronounced like “expression”) technology. Restylane’s XpresHAn technology is a proprietary type of hyaluronic acid cross-linking that allows for exceptional control over the firmness and pliability of a filler. This technology gives Restylane Kysse the ability to significantly plump the lips, while also moving seamlessly alongside the natural lips.
What Look Does It Create?
If we had to use one word to describe Restylane Kysse, it would be “natural.” Restylane Kysse tends to produce extremely natural-looking results, which is especially noticeable when you move your lips. Restylane Kysse has just the right mix of structure and flexibility for it to look and feel seamless as you talk, smile, laugh, or kiss.
Because of the natural way Restylane Kysse molds with the lips, it’s usually best for those who primarily want to enhance the volume of their lips, but already like the overall shape of their lips. Restylane Kysse usually isn’t the best choice for someone who wants a dramatic change in shape, as other lip fillers (like Juvederm Ultra Plus XC) tend to be better at creating new shapes.
How Long Do Lip Fillers Last With Restylane Kysse?
The results of Restylane Kysse can last for up to a year.
Who Makes It?
Restylane Kysse is the latest lip filler from Galderma, a company that specializes in creating advanced skin care and cutting-edge dermatologist treatments. Restylane is just one of the company’s brands. Other Galderma brands include Dysport, Sculptra, Proactiv, Differin and Cetaphil.
Juvederm Ultra XC
What Is It?
Juvederm Ultra XC is an injectable filler that is primarily used to fill lip lines, plump the lips, and smooth out laugh lines or smile lines.
What Makes It Unique?
Juvederm Ultra XC is an immensely versatile filler with a silky, pliable consistency. The consistency of Juvederm Ultra XC gives it a beautifully natural look.
What Look Does It Create?
Juvederm Ultra XC is a great option for those who want minor lip enhancement that looks natural. The silky texture of Juvederm Ultra XC is wonderful for restoring lost lip fullness, slightly enhancing the plumpness of your natural lips, or correcting minor lip asymmetry.
Juvederm Ultra XC usually isn’t the best choice if you want dramatic results from your lip injections, since its ultra smooth texture isn’t the best at holding shape.
How Long Do Lip Fillers Last With Juvederm Ultra XC?
Juvederm Ultra XC lip injections can last for anywhere from 6 months to 12 months.
Who Makes It?
Juvederm Ultra XC is made by Allergan Aesthetics, a company that develops and manufactures aesthetics-focused products. Allergan is behind many of today’s top cosmetic brands, including Juvederm, Botox, and CoolSculpting.
Juvederm Ultra Plus XC
What Is It?
Juvederm Ultra Plus XC is a dermal filler that’s used to smooth wrinkles, plump the lips, contour the lips, and contour the face.
What Makes It Unique?
Juvederm Ultra Plus XC is similar to Juvederm Ultra XC, but Plus has a significantly thicker consistency. This added firmness makes Juvederm Ultra XC a top choice for people who want to significantly change the fullness and/or shape of their lips.
What Look Does It Create?
The thicker consistency of Juvederm Ultra Plus XC allows it to create a plumper, poutier look. Ultra Plus XC can add more substantial volume compared to other lip fillers and is excellent at holding its shape. Juvederm Ultra Plus XC is often an ideal option for those who want a more dramatic change from their lip injections.
Notably, it’s thought that Kylie Jenner uses Juvederm Ultra Plus XC to get her signature pout. Kylie Jenner has said she uses Juvederm in her lips. While she hasn’t said the specific type of Juvederm she uses, it’s very likely that it’s Juvederm Ultra Plus XC. Ultra Plus is excellent for creating a very full look on patients with smaller natural lips, such as Kylie Jenner.
How Long Do Lip Fillers Last With Juvederm Ultra Plus XC?
The results of lip augmentation from Juvederm Ultra Plus XC can last for up to a year.
Who Makes It?
Like Juvederm Ultra XC, Juvederm Ultra Plus XC is made by Allergan Aesthetics.
The Best Lip Filler For You
If you’re ready to find out which lip filler is right for you, schedule a consultation appointment at the Z Center for Cosmetic Health today. At your consultation appointment, Dr. Zadeh will provide you with a personalized recommendation based on your desired final result, natural lip volume, and unique medical history.
Please note that Dr. Zadeh does all of our injectable treatments personally. Dr. Zadeh is an award-winning, board-certified surgeon with an artistic eye and an expert understanding of facial anatomy. To learn more about Dr. Zadeh’s credentials and approach to cosmetic procedures, click here. To see examples of Dr. Zadeh’s work, click here.