No more facelifts! Now it’s all about dermal fillers!
The world of dermal fillers has become more and more complicated. While it may seem overwhelming at first, this is good news! It means that there are plenty of options to address a variety of needs! There’s no one-size-fits-all filler anymore. Fillers consist of a diverse range of substances – some are synthetic, some natural, some are permanent, others break down and dissolve over time. Some are fantastic for fine lines, while others are perfect lip-plumpers.
Myth: Botox and dermal fillers are the same thing. Let’s get this out of the way right from the start. Botox is not a filler. Botox is a toxin that relaxes the muscles of your face.
What is a Dermal Filler?
Dermal fillers are precisely that – a filler. A dermal filler is a substance that a practitioner injects under your skin to fill out or plump up an area.
A filler fills the lines, crevices, creases, and hollows that come about as part of the natural aging process. You can also use dermal fillers as volumizers that can plump up your lips, lift your cheeks, maximize your jawline, and fill out sagging hands.
Did you know that a dermal filler appointment only takes about 30 minutes? That means you can go in for a “lunch date” and walk out the door with noticeable results that can last anywhere from 4 months up to a year!
Not every dermal filler is suitable for every type of concern. Some work better to plump up cheeks, while others are best for fine lines and wrinkles. This typically depends on what’s in the injectable.
Filler injections do not all contain the same base. Think of it like a smoothie. Smoothies typically have soy milk, almond milk, coconut water, or apple juice as a base. Each of these liquids has a different texture and nutritional value, which affects the texture and flavor of your smoothie. If you’re allergic to soy, you will avoid soy-based smoothies. If you want a creamier smoothie, you won’t order it with an apple juice base.
Fillers are the same way. The most common bases that you will find in fillers are Hyaluronic Acid, CaHA, Poly-L-lactic Acid, and Polymethylmethacrylate. Let’s look at two types of fillers that we offer in our office.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) – currently the most popular
HA is a naturally occurring substance that keeps your skin plump and hydrated. HA fillers are soft and gel-like. They last about 6 to 12 months before the body naturally absorbs the particles.
FDA-approved Brand names of HA fillers are:
- Juvéderm products: Juvéderm XC, VOLUMA, VOLBELLA, VOLLURE
- Restylane products: Restylane, Restylane Silk, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Refyne, and Restylane Defyne
- Belotero Balance
Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA)
Calcium hydroxylapatite occurs naturally in the body, primarily in the bones. The CaHA in fillers is synthetic, meaning someone created it in a lab. When used as a filler, nearly microscopic calcium particles are suspended in a smooth gel that glides effortlessly under the skin.
The consistency of a CaHA filler is thicker than the consistency of a hyaluronic acid filler. These dermal fillers typically last for 12 months and are best for deeper lines and wrinkles and to help stimulate natural collagen production.
FDA-approved CaHA fillers include Radiesse®.
Breaking Down the Brands
This is where fillers can become particularly confusing. In the past, there was one product from each brand name. Now each brand has multiple product lines that address different needs.
Juvéderm is a perfect example.
Juvéderm is the brand name for a collection of HA dermal fillers. There are currently five product lines in the Juvéderm family.
Juvéderm Volbella, an FDA-approved dermal filler, was created specifically to more fully define lips and to correct fine lines and wrinkles around the lips.
Juvéderm Vollure is approved for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds. This is slightly different than traditional Juvéderm or Restylane products because this hyaluronic acid filler is made up of smooth, clear, and very malleable gel. That means you won’t get that hard frozen face look when you use it.
JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA™ XC is an injectable gel that’s approved for deep injection in your cheek area to correct age-related volume loss, and for augmentation of the chin region to improve your chin profile.
Radiesse is also another popular dermal filler brand.
They specialize in CaHA-based synthetic fillers. Currently, they offer two options Radiesse and Radiesse+.
Both are used for smoothing out moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds. (These are the creases that extend from the corner of your nose to the corner of your mouth.)
RADIESSE® is also used for filling out volume loss in the back of your hands.
Myth: Kybella is a dermal filler. Kybella is not a dermal filler. KYBELLA® is an injectable, but it doesn’t fill. Instead, the substance contained in the injection destroys fat cells in the treatment area. Kybella is used under the chin to improve your profile and is the only injectable approved by the FDA for this use.
Are you considering a little fall fill-er up? Do you finally want to look your best?
Contact us today! We have carefully selected all of our dermal fillers and can help you better understand which ones will work best for your situation!