Aesthetic medicine has seen a significant rise in the use of injectables for various cosmetic procedures. These injectables, often referred to as dermal fillers or neuromodulators, are used to smooth wrinkles, add volume, and enhance facial features. This article will compare and contrast 15 of the most popular cosmetic medicine injectables: Botox, Xeomin, Dysport, Jeuveau, Restylane, Refyne, Defyne, Juvederm, Vollure, EP1L, Radiesse, Kybella, Sculptra, Juvéderm Ultra XC and PRP.
Botox
Botox, one of the most widely known brands of botulinum toxin injections, is designed to eliminate specific wrinkle patterns on the face and neck. It is primarily used for cosmetic purposes but also treats medical conditions like migraines, hyperhidrosis, overactive bladder, and eye problems. The effects of Botox are temporary but can last for several months.
Xeomin
Xeomin is another brand of botulinum toxin injections. It shares the same primary active ingredient as Botox, but its formulation makes its molecular weight slightly lower. Xeomin is primarily used to treat frown lines.
Dysport
Dysport is a brand of type A botulinum toxin, called abobotulinumtoxinA (ABO). It features the same primary active ingredient as Botox, but the added proteins in the Dysport formulation make its molecular weight slightly lower. Dysport is primarily used to treat frown lines.
Jeuveau
Jeuveau is a newer aesthetic micro-treatment. It is the first FDA-approved neuromodulator committed solely to aesthetics. Jeuveau works within 2-3 days to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles or expression lines, providing a smooth, wrinkle-free appearance for up to 12 months.
Restylane
Restylane is a dermal filler that is manufactured by Galderma. It is designed to add volume and fullness to the skin to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth (nasolabial folds). Restylane is also used for lip augmentation in patients over 21 years. It is a clear gel formulation of hyaluronic acid that is specifically formulated to act like your body’s own naturally produced hyaluronic acid.
Refyne
Refyne, also a product of Galderma, is a next-generation hyaluronic acid dermal filler designed to help support your skin while keeping you looking like you. It is designed with XpresHAn Technology™ to help soften laugh lines (nasolabial folds and marionette lines). This can help you restore a more natural look to your face while maintaining your facial expressions.
Defyne
Defyne, another Galderma product, is crafted with XpresHAn Technology™ to correct deepened lines. The unique cross-linking of the gel in Restylane Defyne is also designed to help support your facial expressions—for natural-looking results that help maintain your natural movement.
Juvederm
Juvederm, manufactured by Allergan, is a hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler. Like other dermal fillers, Juvederm is used to restore volume to the face, but it is particularly effective in adding volume to the lips and smoothing out lines around the edges of the lips. Juvederm products are developed using the Hylacross technology to allow a smoother, malleable gel.
Vollure
Vollure, another product from Allergan, is an FDA-approved hyaluronic acid filler that can last up to 18 months. It’s used for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds such as nasolabial folds. Vollure uses special technology, called Vycross — which is also used in Voluma and Volbella — to hold the hyaluronic acid together into a cohesive gel, which keeps it intact after it’s injected into the skin.
EP1L
EP1L is a full-size pen that is part of the Refyne product line. It is slightly longer than the traditional EP1, yet still disappears in your pocket. It’s available in four materials: Stainless Steel, Copper, Titanium Polished, and Titanium Stonewashed.
Juvéderm Ultra XC
Juvéderm® Ultra XC, another product from Allergan, is an injectable gel used for injection into the lips and perioral area for lip augmentation in adults over the age of 21. It’s also used to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds.
In conclusion, each of these aesthetic medicine injectables has unique features and specifications that make them suitable for different cosmetic procedures. It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine which injectable is best for your specific needs.
Radiesse
Radiesse is a dermal filler that is used for smoothing moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. It is manufactured by Merz Aesthetics, a subsidiary of the Merz Pharma Group. Radiesse is a non-toxic, water-based gel that contains calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres. These supportive molecular structures provide shape and definition, acting as facial augmentations. The product is unique in that it stimulates the patient’s body to make its own collagen.
Kybella
Kybella is an FDA-approved injectable treatment that destroys fat cells in the treatment area under the chin to improve your profile. It is manufactured by Allergan cosmetics, the same maker of Botox injections and Juvederm dermal fillers. Kybella is a prescription medicine used in adults to improve the appearance and profile of moderate to severe fat below the chin (submental fat), also known as “double chin”. It is not known if Kybella is safe and effective for the treatment of fat outside of the submental area or in children under 18 years of age.
Sculptra
Sculptra is a unique aesthetic and corrective treatment due to its ability to stimulate collagen. It is manufactured by Galderma Laboratories, a subsidiary of the Nestlé Skin Health company. Sculptra is a proprietary formulation of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) that is an FDA-approved dermal filler. It works with your body to stimulate collagen production lost to aging, rebuilding and reinforcing your skin’s structural foundation. Through a series of treatments, typically about three sessions over a few months, it restores the support and volume of youthful-looking skin, providing results that can last up to two years.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a platelet concentrated component from your own blood that contains nutrient-rich cells and protein growth factors. PRP is produced when a small amount of blood is drawn and placed into a sterile, disposable container and then spun to separate the platelets from your blood sample, resulting in a platelet-rich plasma. PRP is safe because it comes from your own blood, therefore there is minimal risk for allergic or immune reaction.
Aesthetic Medicine Cosmetic Injectable Product Comparison Chart
| Injectable | Onset | Duration | Category | Common Body Parts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botox | 24-72 hours | 3-6 months | Neuromodulator | Forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, frown lines, bunny lines, smoker’s lines, marionette lines, neck bands |
| Xeomin | 2-4 days | Up to 6 months | Neuromodulator | Forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, frown lines, bunny lines, smoker’s lines, marionette lines |
| Dysport | 2-4 days | 4-6 months | Neuromodulator | Forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, frown lines, bunny lines, smoker’s lines, marionette lines |
| Jeuveau | 2-3 days | Up to 5 months | Neuromodulator | Forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, frown lines, bunny lines, smoker’s lines, marionette lines |
| Restylane | Immediate | 6-18 months | Dermal Filler | Cheeks, lips, nasolabial folds, around the mouth |
| Refyne | 1-2 weeks | 12 months | Dermal Filler | Nasolabial folds, marionette lines |
| Defyne | 1-2 weeks | 12 months | Dermal Filler | Severe, deep wrinkles and folds, such as laugh lines and marionette lines |
| Juvederm | Immediate | 6-24 months | Dermal Filler | Cheeks, lips, around the mouth, nasolabial folds |
| Vollure | Immediate | Up to 18 months | Dermal Filler | Moderate to severe wrinkles, deep lines, and folds around the mouth and nose |
| Juvéderm Ultra XC | Immediate | 6-24 months | Dermal Filler | Lips, perioral area for lip augmentation |
References for Aesthetic Medicine Cosmetic Injectable Products
Botox
- Botulinum Toxin Injection for Facial Wrinkles | AAFP
- Reference ID: 4161688 – Food and Drug Administration
- SUBMITTED BY ALLERGAN ON 2/1/21 – Food and Drug Administration
Xeomin
- consistent with botulinum toxin effects. adults, particularly in those …
- Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) injection – Food and Drug Administration
Dysport
- Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA) – Official Website for Healthcare …
- HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION DYSPORT for DYSPORT DYSPORT
Jeuveau
- HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION These highlights do not include …
- CENTER FOR DRUG EVALUATION AND RESEARCH – Food and Drug Administration
Restylane