With all the lip and wrinkle fillers out there it is hard to know which on will be best for you. Is it collagen or Juvederm, maybe Restylane or Radiesse and what’s that Sculptra stuff all about? I have created this short list to help you compare the cost, effectiveness and side effects of these products and determine which one is best for you.
Collagen:
This is the original filler. It spreads beautifully and is one of the few products that can fill very fine lines. Unlike like the original Zyderm and Zyplast which required skin testing, newer collages such as Cosmoderm and Cosmoplast do not. The major drawback to collagen is although it is about the same price per unit as all of the other options listed hear it only last about 3 months. Each syringe contains about 1cc of product. Price is about $500-$600 per syringe.
Restylane:
Restylane was one of the first of a new type of fillers call Hyaluronic Acids or HAs for short. The clear gel is made of crosslinked HA which can hold up to 1000 times its own weight in water. HAs are naturally found in the skin and would normally breakdown quite quickly but due to its crosslinking, Restylane normally last about 6 months. It can be used just about anywhere including the lips. Another nice thing about all HAs, the product can be removed in a matter of hours if necessary with an enzyme call hyaluronidase which digests the HAs. Each syringe contains 0.8cc of product. Cost is about $500-$600 per syringe.
Juvederm:
Juvederm is a second generation HA. It has higher crosslinking so it last a bit longer than Restylane, normally about 9 months. Juvederm is also a smooth gel which makes it less likely to look lumpy under the skin. Both Juvederm and Restylane are about the same cost. Each syringe contains 0.8cc of product. Price is about $500-$600 per syringe.
Radiesse:
Radiesse is made of Calcium Hydroxylapatite which is a natural mineral in your own body. This is what we call a collagen stimulating product. That means that not only does the product increase volume but it also stimulates your own tissue to produce more collagen. Radiesse is good for deeper lines and for those that want a longer lasting treatment. This product is NOT appropriate for the lips or fine lines. Radiesse normally last about one year and may require a small touch up around 3-6 months. Rarely patients have had mild allergic reaction to Radiesse which show up a prolonged redness over the injection site. Per unit Radiesse is about the same price a Juvederm and Restylane for a 0.8cc syringe but it also comes in larger volumes of 1.5cc (almost 90% more product for only about 40% cost). Cost is about $500-$800 per syringe.
Sculptra:
Sculptra is solely a stimulatory filler. In other words, one does not notice a change from the product itself but rather from the increased tissue collagen that is produced gradually over time after the produce has been placed. Sculptra just received its cosmetic FDA approval in July 2009 but has been used for cosmetic purposed for over 5 years. This product is made of Poly-L-Lactic Acid or PLLA for short. This is same stuff we make absorbable stiches out of so we know it is very safe. Sculptra takes about 3-6 months to do its job but it lasts over three years in many cases. This product normally takes 3 injection sessions spaced about 6-8 weeks apart. It is best for those that need deep volume throughout the face. Side effects can include small papules under the skin if the product is not placed, spread or massaged properly. Cost is about $1200 per treatment.
All of these products are broken down fully by the body unlike Silicone, Artecol and Artefill which should be avoided in most cases.
