Juvederm and Restylane have more similarities than differences when you compare them, but there are key differences that may affect your choice of which filler to use when getting your cosmetic treatment.

In terms of their similarities, both Juvederm and Restylane are gels made of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is ubiquitous in nature and occurs naturally and abundantly in the human body, mainly in skin and connective tissues. It is basically a large carbohydrate polymer with a huge molecular weight, and it can hold nearly 3000 times its weight in water. It’s this water-retentive effect that allows hyaluronic acid to give volume and fullness to the skin. We all lose hyaluronic acid gradually in our skin as we age, and the resultant loss of water-holding capacity makes for lines and wrinkles, along with the loss of collagen, elastin and sun damage. This is why Juvederm and Restylane are ideal substances for filling facial lines and wrinkles and restoring volume to the aging face.

Other similarities between Juvederm and Restylane are in the way they are made and how they are used. Restylane was the first hyaluronic acid filler approved by the FDA in the United States in 2003. Juvederm followed with FDA approval in 2006. Both fillers are made of synthetic, purified hyaluronic acid, thereby removing most of the risk of allergic complications that accompanied older fillers like collagen, which comes from an animal source. Both fillers can also be used in nearly any area of the face for cosmetic correction, including in the lips, and both fillers have a thinner gel (Juvederm Ultra and Restylane) and a thicker form for more intense volumization (Juvederm Ultra Plus and Perlane).

The key difference between Juvederm and Restylane is in the duration of the filler and the consistency. If you compare results of the two fillers after just one injection, Juvederm typically lasts from 9-12 months, whereas Restylane only lasts about 6 months. This is a distinct advantage for the patient and makes the product more cost-effective over time.

As far as consistency goes, Juvederm is a much smoother filler than Restylane. Allergan, the company that makes Juvederm, has patented the technology it uses to produce the smooth consistency of Juvederm, calling is Hylacross® technology. This technology produces a smooth gel instead of a granular one like Restylane. This smoothness is especially important when filling finer lines or doing lip augmentation. The smoothness and ease of injection of Juvederm is also better for the injector in terms of placing the product accurately and in producing superior cosmetic outcomes.