Juvederm, Restylane, or Radiesse: Which Fits?

Last month's filler selection patterns from 38 consultations

Let me start with the conclusion.

"I'd like to get one filler,"

This statement doesn't actually make sense.

I'll explain why in this post.

Here's what makes them different

Juvederm, Restylane, and Radiesse are

all injectable treatments that restore volume loss.

However, they differ from their basic components.

Juvederm and Restylane are

hyaluronic acid (HA) based,

while Radiesse contains calcium (CaHA),

making them fundamentally different fillers.

Even within the HA category,

Juvederm has higher viscosity and spreads smoothly,

while Restylane has distinct particles that maintain structure,

so even though both are hyaluronic acid, their applications differ.

Understanding these differences makes selection easier

"Juvederm, Restylane, and Radiesse each have different formulations and duration periods.

Even for the same area, the optimal product varies depending on skin thickness and desired volume, so it's important to compare and choose carefully.

"

— Dr. Wi Young-jin (Beautystone Clinic, Hongdae)

Last month, a woman in her early 40s came to see me.

She had received Radiesse for her aegyo-sal at another clinic

and came for consultation because "it feels lumpy."

This is somewhat tricky because

Radiesse contains calcium particles,

making it a high-viscosity filler with strong support.

It's excellent for areas like the nose, chin tip, and deep nasolabial folds

where volume needs to be built on bone structure,

but it's not well-suited for areas like aegyo-sal

where the skin is thin and

facial muscles move frequently.

The numbers make this clearer.

Radiesse has an average particle size of 25~45μm,

with a 30% calcium hydroxyapatite ratio.

In contrast, soft HA like Juvederm Volbella

is designed to spread smoothly

even in the 0.1mm deep dermis layer.

When a high-viscosity formulation enters aegyo-sal

where skin thickness is less than 0.5mm,

it naturally becomes palpable and visible.

For this patient, we dissolved it with hyaluronidase

and re-treated with Juvederm Volbella,

and it settled naturally after 2 weeks.

But there's one important thing here.

Duration also varies by formulation.

Juvederm Voluma lasts 18~24 months,

Restylane Lyft lasts 12~18 months,

Radiesse lasts about 12~15 months,

but these are manufacturer data

and in reality can vary by 3~6 months

depending on treatment area and individual metabolism.

Dr. Wi Young-jin's Key Summary


Fillers shouldn't be chosen by "brand" but


by the combination of "my skin thickness × desired volume × treatment area."


Even for the same nasolabial folds, Radiesse suits deep layers


while Juvederm often works better for superficial layers.

Here's how I categorize them in my practice

While each case varies,

I generally categorize them this way.

But this isn't always better.

Longer-lasting products aren't always the answer.

For first-time patients,

it's actually safer to start with shorter-lasting HA

to see how it suits your face.

However, for those who find re-treatments inconvenient,

Juvederm Voluma remains a good choice.

Three most common questions in my practice

Q1. Can I mix all three at once?

A. Yes, if applied to different areas.

For example, Radiesse for the nose,

Juvederm Volbella for aegyo-sal,

this kind of layering is common.

However, I don't recommend overlaying two products

in the same location.

Q2. Is there a significant cost difference?

A. The product prices differ from the start.

Generally, Radiesse and Juvederm Voluma are

slightly more expensive than basic Restylane lines,

and while 1cc pricing varies by clinic,

"how much you need" is more important than volume.

Some people need only 0.5cc for one nasolabial fold

while others need 2cc or more for their entire cheeks.

Q3. I heard you can dissolve it if done wrong?

A. This is a major difference between HA fillers and Radiesse.

HA-based fillers like Juvederm and Restylane

can be dissolved with hyaluronidase.

However, Radiesse contains calcium

so there's no direct dissolving agent.

That's why Radiesse requires more careful area selection,

and for first-time patients,

I tend to recommend HA-based fillers first.

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