Dermal Fillers and Soft Tissue Fillers By Elysium Surgispa
&srotate=0)
Fillers (Radiesse, Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero, Voluma, Sculptra, Artefill) are also known as dermal fillers and soft tissue fillers. Fillers are a type of minimally invasive aesthetic medicine used to add volume, alter the contours of the face, and fill in wrinkles. Common areas to inject fillers are in the face, neck, and hands, resulting in a fuller, smoother, and more youthful appearance. Dermal fillers are among the most popular aesthetic procedures because they carry immediate results, very few risks, and little recovery time.
When to Consider Fillers?
- If you have deep lines around the eyes, brow, or mouth
- If you would like to change the contours of your jaw or lips
- If you are interested in a minimally invasive procedure
What are my options?
There are three types of fillers commonly used: temporary, semi-permanent, and permanent. Hyaluronic acid-based fillers are temporary, while other types of fillers offer longer-lasting results.
Temporary Fillers
Collagen-Based Fillers: Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that adds strength and structure to the skin. Collagen was the first filler on the market, but the arrival of hyaluronic acid-based fillers has decreased its popularity.
Hyaluronic Acid-Based Fillers Like collagen, hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance and primarily used to promote fullness and volume.
Calcium Hydroxylapatite: Heavier and denser than hyaluronic acid, this filler is injected deeper, underneath the skin, and does not usually cause immune or allergic responses because the material is usually found in bones.
Semi-Permanent Fillers
Longer-lasting dermal fillers typically contain thicker substances, such as the biodegradable synthetic filler known as poly-L-lactic acid. These types of soft tissue fillers are used to treat deeper facial lines, and though they offer semi-permanent results, it’s possible that you’ll need an occasional “touch up” several weeks after your initial injections.
Permanent Fillers
Permanent fillers are made of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), which are microspheres that are not absorbed by the body. The filler also contains collagen and is only recommended for thick-skin areas such as the nasolabial folds. It is not recommended for any areas around the eyes or for the lips.
Silicone Injections – Patient Safety Warning
Silicone injections are an unsafe and unacceptable option to use as a filler. These injections are not FDA approved and often offered by unlicensed individuals and should be avoided. Always consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon, preferably an ASAPS member, if you have questions about a particular type or brand.
What are the brand names for fillers?
There are a number of soft tissue filler brand names, but some of the most common are:
- Hyaluronic Acid-Based Fillers: Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane, PREVELLE Silk, Hydrelle, Belotero
- Collagen-Based Fillers: Cosmoplast, Cosmoderm, Evolence
- Semi-Permanent Fillers: Sculptra, Radiesse
- Permanent Fillers: ArteFill