Dermal Filler Brands: A Physician's Guide
A physician's breakdown of the major filler brands, their technologies, and how product selection should depend on treatment area and purpose — not marketing.
The Right Question Is Not "Which Brand Is Best"
Patients often ask which filler brand is the best. The honest answer: there is no single best brand. The right product depends on what area is being treated, what the goal is, and what physical properties the filler needs to have.
This guide explains the major filler brands, their technologies, and how physicians think about product selection — so you can have a more informed conversation with your doctor.
Key Physical Properties — The Basics
Before comparing brands, it helps to understand a few concepts that determine how a filler performs.
G' (Elasticity)
G' measures how firm a filler is. Higher G' means more structural support. Lower G' means softer, more fluid.
| G' Range | Texture | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Low (under 100 Pa) | Very soft, fluid | Lips, under-eyes, fine lines |
| Medium (100–300 Pa) | Balanced elasticity | Nasolabial folds, marionette lines |
| High (300–600 Pa) | Firm, structural | Cheeks, chin, temples |
| Very high (>600 Pa) | Very firm, shape-holding | Nose, chin tip, forehead contouring |
Cohesivity
High cohesivity means the filler stays together in one mass — good for volume and structure. Low cohesivity means it spreads into surrounding tissue — good for natural integration.
HA Concentration
Most fillers use hyaluronic acid (HA) at 20–24 mg/mL. Higher concentrations (up to 50 mg/mL in some products) resist enzymatic breakdown longer but require more injection pressure.
Cross-linking
Higher cross-linking means the filler lasts longer and holds its shape better — but too much can make it feel unnatural.
Global Brands
1. Juvederm — Allergan (AbbVie)
Technology: Vycross — blends high and low molecular weight HA for a smooth, uniform gel.
| Product | Key Feature | Best For | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volbella XC | Ultra-soft | Natural lips, under-eyes | ~12 months |
| Ultra XC | Classic soft | Lips, nasolabial folds | 6–9 months |
| Vollure XC | Balanced | Nasolabial folds, marionette lines | 12–18 months |
| Voluma XC | High lift | Cheeks, chin, temples | 18–24 months |
| Volux XC | Maximum firmness | Jawline, chin tip | ~18 months |
2. Restylane — Galderma
Technology: NASHA / OBT / XpresHAn — particle-based gels with varying flexibility.
| Product | Key Feature | Best For | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kysse | Natural lip movement | Lip volume and shape | ~12 months |
| Refyne | Very flexible | Shallow nasolabial folds | 6–12 months |
| Defyne | Structural + flexible | Deep folds, chin | 12+ months |
| Lyft | Firm lift | Cheeks, hands, midface | 12–18 months |
| Contour | Cheek-specific | Cheeks, temples | 12+ months |
| Eyelight | Under-eye specific | Tear troughs | ~12 months |
3. Belotero — Merz Aesthetics
Technology: CPM (Cohesive Polydensified Matrix) — integrates smoothly into tissue with minimal Tyndall effect.
| Product | Key Feature | Best For | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft | Ultra-soft | Fine lines, neck lines | 6–9 months |
| Balance | Smooth integration | Nasolabial folds, perioral | 6–12 months |
| Intense | Volume + lips | Deep wrinkles, lip volume | 6–12 months |
| Volume | Structural | Cheeks, temples, midface | 12–18 months |
4. Teosyal — Teoxane (Switzerland)
Technology: RHA (Resilient HA) — adapts to facial movement for dynamic naturalness.
| Product | Key Feature | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| RHA 1–4 | Progressive firmness | Fine lines through cheek volume |
| Kiss | Lip-specific | Lip volume and shape |
| Redensity II | Under-eye specific | Tear troughs |
Korean-Made HA Fillers
Korea produces a wide range of HA fillers with competitive pricing and increasingly strong clinical data. These are commonly used in Korean clinics.
Cleviel — Pharma Research
The highest HA concentration on the market (50 mg/mL in Contour). Specialized for structural areas like nose and chin.
| Product | HA Concentration | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Contour | 50 mg/mL | Nose, chin tip, forehead |
| Prime | 33 mg/mL | Cheeks, jawline |
| Fine | 15 mg/mL | Fine lines, delicate areas |
YVOIRE — LG Chem
Korea's first HA filler (2010). Recently upgraded with the Y-Solution premium line using S-HICE technology.
Neuramis — Medytox
Made by the company behind Meditoxin (botulinum toxin). SHAPE technology achieves high purity with minimal residual BDDE.
EPTQ — Jetema
7-step purification process achieving residual BDDE below 0.1 ppm — among the lowest in the industry.
Revolax — Across
Strong cost-performance ratio. One of the most widely used Korean fillers in Southeast Asia.
Others
Elravie (Huons), Dermalax (Hugel), Chaeum (Humedix), Bellast — each with distinct technologies and CE/KFDA certifications.
Non-HA Collagen Stimulators
These are a different category. Instead of filling, they stimulate collagen production over time. They cannot be dissolved with hyaluronidase.
| Product | Active Ingredient | Mechanism | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sculptra | PLLA | Collagen stimulation | 18–24+ months |
| AestheFill | PDLLA | Collagen stimulation (98.7% purity) | 18–36 months |
| Juvelook | PDLLA + HA | Immediate hydration + collagen stimulation | 6–18 months |
| Radiesse | CaHA | Immediate volume + collagen stimulation | 12–18 months |
| Ellanse | PCL + CMC | Immediate volume + collagen stimulation | 12–48 months |
| Gouri | PCL | Skin tightening + collagen stimulation | 12–24 months |
Important: Non-HA fillers cannot be reversed with hyaluronidase. If complications occur, management is more limited. These products should only be used by experienced practitioners. Some of these biostimulators share mechanisms with thread lifting materials like PLLA and PCL — understanding both helps you evaluate combination treatment plans.
How Physicians Choose — By Treatment Area
The right product is determined by what the treatment area needs, not by brand loyalty.
| Area | Needed Property | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Lips (natural) | Very soft, low G' | Volbella, Restylane Kysse, Belotero Soft |
| Lips (volume) | Soft to medium | Ultra XC, Kysse, Neuramis Deep |
| Nasolabial folds | Flexible to structural | Vollure, Defyne, Belotero Balance |
| Cheeks / midface | High lift, structural | Voluma, Restylane Lyft, Cleviel Prime |
| Under-eyes | Ultra-soft, low Tyndall risk | Restylane Eyelight, Belotero Balance, EPTQ S100 |
| Nose | Very firm, shape-holding | Volux, Cleviel Contour |
| Chin / jawline | Very firm, structural | Volux, Cleviel Contour, EPTQ S500 |
| Temples | High volume, deep injection | Voluma, Restylane Lyft, Neuramis Volume |
What Patients Should Remember
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There is no "best filler." There is only the right filler for the right area and the right patient.
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Brand matters less than properties. The same treatment area may need different products depending on your skin thickness, existing tissue, and goals.
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Multiple products in one session is normal. A physician might use Voluma for cheeks, Kysse for lips, and Defyne for folds — each optimized for its area.
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Korean-made fillers are not inferior. Many have strong clinical data, international certifications, and are used daily in Korean clinics alongside global brands. Learn more about why Korea leads in aesthetic medicine.
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Non-HA fillers are powerful but less reversible. Make sure you understand the trade-off before choosing a collagen stimulator.
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Ask your physician why they chose a specific product — not just which one. The reasoning matters more than the name.
For the underlying clinical evidence on filler rheology and how physical properties map to indication, the PubMed literature on hyaluronic acid filler rheology is a useful starting point.
This article is written by a practicing physician for informational purposes. It is not a substitute for medical consultation. Product availability and regulatory status vary by country.
Related reading: Thread Lifting: PDO vs. PCL vs. PLLA — another collagen-stimulating approach. MCT: Skin Rejuvenation Without Heat — a mechanical alternative to energy-based tightening. Why Korea for Medical Care — why Seoul leads in aesthetic medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which dermal filler brand is the best?
- There is no universal best brand. Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero, Teosyal, and leading Korean brands like Cleviel, YVOIRE, and EPTQ all have products optimized for different indications. The right filler depends on what area is being treated, how firm or soft the gel needs to be, and how the surrounding tissue should integrate with it. A skilled physician will often use multiple brands in a single session, each chosen for a specific area.
- What is G' in dermal fillers and why does it matter?
- G' measures the elasticity or firmness of a filler gel. Low G' fillers are soft and fluid, which suits lips, under-eyes, and fine lines. Medium G' fillers balance flexibility and support for nasolabial folds. High and very high G' fillers hold their shape under pressure, making them appropriate for structural areas like cheeks, chin, jawline, and nose. Matching G' to anatomy is one of the most important technical decisions in filler injection.
- Are Korean-made fillers as good as global brands like Juvederm and Restylane?
- Many Korean HA fillers have robust clinical data, CE and KFDA certifications, and are used routinely in Korean clinics alongside global brands. Cleviel offers the highest HA concentration on the market at 50 mg/mL, EPTQ achieves industry-leading BDDE purity below 0.1 ppm, and Neuramis uses high-purity SHAPE technology. Korean fillers are not a budget compromise — they are clinically competitive products with distinct technical profiles.
- What is the difference between HA fillers and collagen stimulators?
- HA fillers add immediate volume using hyaluronic acid and can be dissolved with hyaluronidase if complications occur. Collagen stimulators like Sculptra (PLLA), AestheFill (PDLLA), Radiesse (CaHA), and Ellanse (PCL) work differently — they trigger your body to build new collagen over months, producing gradual and longer-lasting results. Stimulators cannot be reversed enzymatically, so they require more experienced injection technique and careful patient selection.
- Why do some physicians use multiple filler brands in one session?
- Different facial areas need different physical properties. A physician might use a high-G' filler like Voluma or Cleviel Prime for cheek projection, a soft low-G' filler like Volbella or Kysse for lips, and a flexible medium-G' product like Vollure or Defyne for nasolabial folds. Using a single brand for every area forces compromise. Mixing products based on rheology is a sign of technique-driven, not brand-driven, practice.
- Is a higher HA concentration always better?
- No. Higher HA concentrations, such as Cleviel Contour at 50 mg/mL, resist enzymatic breakdown longer and hold firmer structure, which is useful for nose and chin projection. But higher concentrations also require more injection pressure and may feel unnaturally firm in soft tissue areas like lips or under-eyes. The right concentration depends on the area being treated, not on a general preference for denser products.
- What should I ask my doctor before filler injection?
- Ask which specific product they plan to use in each area and why that product was chosen. Ask about its G', duration, and reversibility. Ask whether they are using HA or a collagen stimulator, and what the plan is if you are unhappy with the result. A physician who can explain the physical properties behind each product choice is working from clinical reasoning — not from what a sales representative recently promoted.