Juvederm® Ultra vs. Juvederm® Ultra Plus: Understanding the Differences
Juvederm® Ultra and Juvederm® Ultra Plus are two widely used hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers designed to restore facial volume, smooth wrinkles, and enhance the lips. Although both products belong to the same Juvederm family and share similar formulations, they differ in consistency, lifting capacity, and ideal treatment indications.
What Makes Them Different?
Both fillers are manufactured using Hylacross® technology and contain 24 mg/mL of cross-linked hyaluronic acid with lidocaine to improve patient comfort during treatment.
The primary difference lies in their viscosity.
Juvederm Ultra has a softer, smoother consistency, making it ideal for treating superficial to moderate wrinkles and enhancing lip volume.
Juvederm Ultra Plus is thicker and more robust, providing greater structural support for deeper facial folds and areas requiring additional volume.
Treatment Areas
Both fillers are approved for facial rejuvenation and are commonly used to treat:
Nasolabial folds
Marionette lines
Lip enhancement
Perioral lines
Mild facial volume loss
Juvederm Ultra Plus is generally preferred for deeper wrinkles and patients who require stronger lifting and contouring effects.
Injection Technique
Following a thorough facial assessment and medical consultation, the filler is injected into the mid-to-deep dermis or the lips, depending on the treatment area.
Experienced practitioners may use various injection techniques, including:
Linear threading
Serial puncture
Cross-hatching
Fanning
The choice of technique depends on facial anatomy and the desired aesthetic outcome.
Longevity and Results
Results are visible immediately after treatment and continue to improve as the filler integrates into the surrounding tissues.
Typical duration of results:
Juvederm Ultra: approximately 6–9 months
Juvederm Ultra Plus: up to 12 months
Individual longevity varies depending on metabolism, treatment area, and injection technique.
Can They Be Combined?
Yes. Many aesthetic practitioners combine Juvederm Ultra and Ultra Plus during the same treatment session to achieve comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
For example:
Juvederm Ultra can be used for lip enhancement and fine lines.
Juvederm Ultra Plus can restore deeper facial volume and soften pronounced folds.
The fillers may also be combined with other aesthetic procedures, such as botulinum toxin injections, laser treatments, or skin rejuvenation therapies, to achieve balanced and natural-looking results.
Safety Considerations
Both fillers have an excellent safety profile when administered by qualified medical professionals. Temporary swelling, redness, bruising, and tenderness are the most common side effects and usually resolve within a few days.
Because hyaluronic acid fillers are reversible, hyaluronidase can be used if correction or dissolution is required.
Conclusion
Juvederm Ultra and Juvederm Ultra Plus are versatile, reliable dermal fillers that address different stages of facial aging. While Juvederm Ultra is ideal for softer corrections and lip enhancement, Juvederm Ultra Plus provides greater lift and support for deeper wrinkles and facial contouring. A personalized consultation with an experienced aesthetic practitioner is the best way to determine which filler—or combination of fillers—will provide the most natural and long-lasting results.
