The best and most commonly recommended lip fillers are hyaluronic acid fillers, including Juvederm and Restylane. These fillers produce consistent and predictable results, have a very low risk of side effects, and have no downtime after treatment. Also, if you don't like the results, hyaluronic acid-based fillers are easy to reverse if needed. Juvederm's main risks involve poor cosmetic results, usually because the provider is inexperienced or untrained.
Juvederm Ultra and Ultra Plus are the least durable and may require retouching after 6 to 9 months, although in most cases they last around a year. I use Juvederm frequently as part of general facial rejuvenation, as well as in facial feminization and masculinization. Here's a brief guide to Juvederm, how it's used, and what to expect during and after treatment. While everyone's pain tolerance is different, my patients generally report very little pain with Juvederm injections.
It is difficult to give a general estimate of the cost of Juvederm, because different patients need different quantities of product, and some Juvederm formulations cost more than others. A thicker variation of Juvederm Ultra; used for deeper lines and creases in the lower part of the face; lasts between 6 and 12 months. The price of Juvederm is per syringe, and the total cost of treatment will include your doctor's service fee. Both Restylane and Juvederm are said to produce mild results due to the plumping effects of hyaluronic acid.
This is because Juvederm treatments cause the body to produce more of its own collagen in the treatment area. More serious side effects are usually associated with unprofessional handling, such as inadvertent injection of Juvederm into a blood vessel. Juvederm comes in several different formulations, depending on the site of application and how long the patient wants the results to last. And it's no longer just women receiving Juvederm, male patients routinely come to my Houston office for it.
If you are in the Houston area or are interested in traveling for expert treatment with Juvederm, contact my office to discuss your options. Many patients receive Juvederm to fill in the wrinkles and sagging skin that are part of the aging process, but Juvederm is also used in younger patients to give volume to the lips, cheeks and chin.