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August 25, 2011

Injectable fillers have become extremely popular over the last five years because of the natural looking aesthetic improvements they provide without the need for going under the knife. As part of the aging process, collagen in our skin breaks down, diminishing its strength and volume. Fillers are a safe and effective solution for replenishing that volume and restoring skin to its youthful condition. These products require just a few minutes to inject, with the results being almost immediate. It is possible to receive treatment the same day as a consultation because allergy testing is not necessary. There are many quality injectable fillers on the market today and it’s important for a potential client to know what options are available so they can make an informed decision about what would suit their needs and their lifestyle best.

The filler is injected with tiny needles into the dermis or just below the dermis depending on the area being augmented. Little or no pain is experienced because local anesthesia is administered prior to the injections. Some of the top fillers today now include the freezing agent lidocaine in them, so freezing and the injections can happen all in the same step. The anaesthesia is also useful for decreasing any bruising that might occur. Slight swelling and mild irritation can be expected, but any potential client should not dismiss injectable fillers for this reason, as the results outweigh the minimal discomfort. As the initial swelling subsides, the outcome should be exactly what clients expect.
All fillers will maintain the desired effect for at least 6 months, with some products lasting up to 7 years! The duration of the filler varies from patient to patient before the body eventually breaks it down and metabolizes it.

Restylane, Juvederm Ultra and Juverderm Ultra Plus, Ovita and Perlane are all brands that contain HA – hyaluronic acid. This is a naturally occurring protein in the soft connective tissue of the skin. The gel-like substance is a synthetic form of HA and varies in thickness depending on the manufacturer. Fillers with HA normally last 6 to 9 months and are the most popular type of filler on the market today for both men and women.
Generally, products with HA such as Restylane can have outstanding results in depressed tear troughs and lower eyelids where sunken, hollow eyes can betray our aging genetics and our tiredness! Juvederm Ultra and Restylane are also excellent for augmenting lips because they are smooth in consistency and swelling is minimal. Many patients love the instance results that help take away thin lips and gummy smiles. These fillers are also useful to fill and correct marionette lines that form above the lips- also known as smoker's lines.
Ovita, Juvederm Ultra Plus and Perlane have the thickest consistency and are perfect for filling larger areas like sunken cheeks and nasalabial folds (the area between the nose and mouth) for an instant, youthful lift and sculpted cheekbones!

Radiesse is another category of injectable filler. It is a calcium based filler which many have found to be excellent for building up the chin area as well as cheeks. Its durability is longer than HA fillers and lasts 9 months to 1 year.

A third type of popular injectable filler is Sculptra. Sculptra is a synthetic form of polylactic acid which stimulates layers of new collagen to form. It's actually made of the same product as absorbable sutures. In order to be effective, an injection of Sculptra is given 3 to 4 times at monthly intervals. It requires a higher commitment level than HA fillers because of the multiple injections needed over an extended length of time. The results are also not immediate, but do present after several weeks and months. This filler lasts for approximately 2 years and has proven to be a good product for volume restoration in the mid-face. Sculptra was originally FDA approved for treating facial fat loss in patients with HIV. It has now been FDA approved for treating volume loss associated with normal aging.

The Selphyl system is unique because it uses only your own blood supply and is not mixed with anything else making it 100% natural and exclusively your own. Having recently received much press as the "The Vampire Facelift", Selphyl requires drawing the patient's blood, which is then spun in a centrifuge. The platelets are then re-injected into the soft tissue of the area needing restoration. The platelet rich plasma stimulates growth over a period of time, therefore, it requires several injections to achieve optimal results. Selphyl is particularly effective in the tear trough area under the eye. It is even being used for the backs of hands where aging can show quite dramatically.

Two semi permanent fillers containing protein and DNA fragments are Artesense and Beautical. The product Artesense acts as a scaffold for the skin and after 2 to 3 months, tissue permanently anchors to it. The results of Artesense lasts 6 to 7 years which is the longest durability of any injectable filler available. However, like Sculptra, Artesense does require multiple injections over several months. It is the most superior injectable product for acne scarring. Many patients with acne scars can use Artesense as a product to help smooth the skin where scars have caused damage.
Beautical originates out of Europe and works well for clients who do not have the time to upkeep the HA fillers which need to be topped up every 6 months or so. There are two products in this family of fillers, called Beautical 2 and Beautical 5. Beautical 2 can be injected in one single session and does a wonderful job filling out lips and cheek areas and can last up to 2 years. Beautical 5 works best in sunken cheeks and the nasalabial area with a lifetime of up to 5 years. It's perfect for the patient who doesn't enjoy needles, but wants the effect a filler can offer. With Beautical 5's longevity, the timing in between injection sessions is a welcome benefit of this product.

Technology is continually advancing in the facial cosmetic industry and this list gives you an idea of the vast number of superior injectable fillers that are available. A consultation with a credentialed expert is always necessary to determine which of these products is best suited to your particular area of concern. However with so many quality options available, finding the solution you’re hoping for to achieve a natural, youthful appearance is easier than ever before.