Many people in Houston search for a filler by its brand name. Juvederm® is one of the names searched most, but it is a family of products, and only some of them are approved for the lips. This guide sets out the hyaluronic acid lip products the FDA has approved, with the year and the approved use of each, so you can ask a provider informed questions. This site is independent and is not connected with any manufacturer.
Lip Filler Houston is a free referral service, not a clinic or med spa. A request sent from this page goes to an independent provider in the Houston area, who is responsible for their own care and prices.
Why the exact product matters
The FDA approves each dermal filler for specific uses. A product approved for cheeks or folds is not approved for the lips unless its own approval says so. Products also differ in how firm the gel is, how it spreads and how long the effect lasted in clinical studies. Asking for the exact product name, not only the brand, is the clearest way to know what is being injected.
The Juvederm lip products
Juvederm® and Volbella® are registered trademarks of Allergan, Inc., an AbbVie company. Two Juvederm products carry a lip approval:
- Juvederm Ultra XC: approved in September 2015 for lip and perioral lip augmentation in adults over 21. In its pivotal study, people were followed for 12 months, and repeat treatment was offered when lip fullness returned to where it started, between month 6 and month 12.
- Juvederm Volbella XC: approved in May 2016 for lip augmentation and for the fine lines around the mouth, in adults over 21. In its pivotal study, the gain in lip volume gradually tapered off over 12 months.
Other Juvederm products are approved for other areas, such as cheeks or folds, and are not lip products.
Other FDA-approved lip products
| Product (maker) | Lip approval | Approved for |
|---|---|---|
| Restylane® and Restylane-L (Galderma) | 2011 and 2012 | Lip augmentation, patients over 21 |
| Restylane Silk (Galderma) | 2014 | Lip augmentation and lines around the mouth |
| Restylane Kysse (Galderma) | March 2020 | Lip augmentation and upper lip lines, patients over 21 |
| RHA® 3 (Teoxane) | October 2023 | Lip augmentation and lip fullness, adults 22 and older |
In the Restylane Kysse pivotal study, upper and lower lip fullness was maintained for 48 weeks after the last injection. The clinical studies behind these approvals generally followed patients for about a year. That is a study result, not a promise: how long filler lasts in your lips depends on you, the product and the amount.
Products that are not lip products
- RHA Redensity is approved for lines around the mouth, not for lip volume.
- Belotero® Balance (+) (Merz) is for facial wrinkles and folds and, since 2023, under-eye hollows. It is not a lip product.
- Juvederm Ultra 2, 3 and 4 sold online are unapproved versions. The FDA says not to buy filler online.
No sponsorship
Lip Filler Houston names these products only to explain them. It has no tie to Allergan, Galderma, Teoxane or Merz, does not sell any product and does not recommend one over another. The provider can tell you which FDA-approved product they use and why.
How providers choose between them
There is no single right product. A provider weighs the look you want (a subtle change, a clearer border or more volume), the shape of your lips, your history with filler and the products they know well. Some use one product for the border and another for volume. Ask them to explain the choice in plain words.
Every one of these is a hyaluronic acid gel, which means it can usually be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if needed. Using hyaluronidase for this is an off-label use with its own risks, including allergic reaction. The dermal fillers guide explains how HA compares with other filler materials.
Risks are similar across products
The FDA lists bruising, redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, itching and lumps as common after filler, and accidental injection into a blood vessel as the most serious risk. For Restylane Kysse, the FDA summary says injection-site reactions generally resolved on their own within one week, and lumps typically within 30 days. Post-market reports include blocked blood flow and delayed swelling one to three months later. Get care right away for unusual pain, vision changes or white or blue skin near the injection.
Want to know which product a Houston provider would suggest for you?
Questions to ask about the product
- What is the full product name, and is it FDA-approved for the lips?
- Can I see the sealed, labeled syringe before you start, and read the patient labeling?
- Why this product for my lips rather than another?
- How much do you plan to use, and what does that cost?
- Do you keep hyaluronidase on hand in case of a problem?
Who injects matters as much as the product. In Texas, cosmetic injections are the practice of medicine and may be delegated by a physician who supervises the work (22 TAC 169.25). Check the injector’s license on the Texas Medical Board lookup. For what moves the price, see the lip filler cost guide; for a muscle-relaxing option with no added volume, see the lip flip guide; and for north Houston, see The Woodlands.
Questions people ask
Is Juvederm approved for lips?
Two Juvederm products are: Juvederm Ultra XC (2015) and Juvederm Volbella XC (2016), both for adults over 21. Other Juvederm products are approved for other areas.
Is Juvederm or Restylane better for lips?
Neither is better in general. Both families have lip-approved products, and the right choice depends on your lips and goals. Ask the provider why they suggest one.
How long does Juvederm last in the lips?
The pivotal studies followed patients for 12 months. For Volbella XC, the volume gain tapered off over that year. Results vary from person to person.
Can Juvederm be dissolved?
Juvederm is a hyaluronic acid filler, so it can usually be dissolved with hyaluronidase. That is an off-label use with its own risks.
Is it safe to buy Juvederm online?
No. The FDA warns that versions sold online, such as Juvederm Ultra 2, 3 and 4, are unapproved, and says never to inject yourself.
Who will I talk to?
An independent provider in the Houston area. Lip Filler Houston is a free referral service, not a clinic, and is not connected with any manufacturer.
This site gives general information, not medical advice. A licensed provider decides with you whether a treatment suits you.