Which Filler Do I Choose?

With over 15 different fillers on the market in the U.S., it can be a little overwhelming trying to decide which filler to ask for when you finally make the decision to get your lips done or eliminate your smile lines. We’re all bombarded with special offers from all the local med spas advertising discounts on fillers, and getting emails and app notifications about ways to save on each specific brand. Don’t get me wrong: No one is complaining about filler specials or free money, but how is anyone supposed to be sure that the filler they pre-pay for is the one they actually need?

IF YOU’VE BEEN OVERWHELMED WITH ALL OF THE OPTIONS, YOU’RE NOT ALONE.

When I originally set out to write this blog post, I was going to talk about which brand and which specific filler product was my number one favorite. While I’m going to quickly mention that, I thought it would be beneficial to explain why aesthetic injectors choose the particular products that they do.

For the record, I generally promote Revanesse Versa+ and Restylane Kysse for most of my lip patients, Juvederm Voluma or Restylane Lyft for cheeks, chin, and jawline contouring, and Revanesse Versa or Restylane Defyne for smile lines and lines around the mouth. 

However, I think it’s important to explain why you don’t need to worry too much about choosing your own filler. And why a reputable injector, who is invested in your best interests, will help you make that decision at your consultation. 

FIRST, ALL FILLER IS NOT CREATED EQUAL.

From fillers composed of clear hyaluronic acid gel to opaque, white fillers with microspheres suspended in them, not only do the fillers perform differently biologically, but they also “fill” in completely different ways based on their original design. 

Rather than go through the structural properties and concentrations of various molecular components, we’ll talk about why most injectors won’t choose the same filler for your lips as they do for your cheeks. Apart from the FDA-approved recommendations and indications for each filler (this is a fancy way of saying that the company has put that filler through a specific study on specific people in a specific area of the face or body and that the filler “passed their test”), there are numerous other reasons why certain fillers work better in certain places. 

CHOOSING THE RIGHT INJECTOR IS IMPORTANT.

Let’s talk about my most requested area to fill, lips. Does it sound appealing to inject a filler that is known for forming clumps, being thick, and lifting (clinically: being cohesive, large particle size, and durable) into someone’s lips? I would say, “No,” but just think about it. Why not inject a product known for its smoothness and ability to flex and stretch as the tissue and muscle stretches and moves? That sounds a little bit more natural-looking in LIPS, right? This is exactly why cosmetic injectors care so much about choosing the right filler for the right area! That first filler may give you contoured and lifted cheeks, but it may look stiff and bulky in your lips. 

A good injector that truly cares about you will find a way to work with your budget (or make a plan for the future), educate you on the filler options that they recommend for your specific concern, and make sure you understand what filler you are getting and why. It should be a collaborative conversation where you feel informed and empowered. The end result: Less anxiety for you and your injector, and more trust for a real, long-term patient relationship. 

I hear so often that the injector that did their lips last didn’t even ask them what they wanted their lips to look like or what their goals and expectations were. Obviously we cannot promise Kylie Jenner’s lips, because patients do not have Kylie Jenner’s face or anatomy.  But we do want to know what you are hoping to accomplish by having your lips filled, what you envision them looking like, if you would like my recommendations first, or if you have any concerns or questions. This is a FUNDAMENTAL part of being a nurse or healthcare provider in general. We are here to CARE for you. 

An injector with your best interests in mind will choose a patient over profit. They will educate and explain the entire process with you, including the filler chosen, and they will be honest even if it isn’t the exact answer you expected to hear. We will help you make the best choice for you and offer you every manufacturer discount that we know to be available to help protect your pocketbook. 

SO, WHICH FILLER DO I CHOOSE?

I love so many things about so many different fillers from multiple collections and manufacturers, but I generally choose Revanesse Versa+ or Restylane Kysse for a large majority of my “lip” patients. I would love for you to schedule a consultation to talk about which filler is really best for you and your concerns.