If you’ve been contemplating a filler to smooth your wrinkles or decrease signs of aging, you might be a bit overwhelmed by the number of options available. In just a few short years, the market has expanded greatly and now there are treatments for every type and level of skin issues.
In an attempt to help you find the right product to suit your needs, we have compiled a list of the most commonly used facial fillers, followed by a brief description:
Botox: Botox is technically a muscle relaxer, not a filler. Made from botulinum toxin, it is generally used to smooth a furrowed brow or laugh lines around the mouth. Botox generally works well on patients with early signs of aging, lasting up to eight months before another treatment is needed.
Dysport: For those who experience an allergic reaction to Botox, Dysport, a newer product made from a a different concentration of the same neurotoxin, is a good alternative. Studies have been inconclusive about whether Botox or Dysport produces better results.
Juvederm: Used mainly to soft laugh lines, Juvederm belongs to a family of fillers made of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance found on the skin of mammals. Results usually last about a year.
Restylane and Perlane: Also made from hyaluronic acid, these are other brands of the filler used to treat deep lines and wrinkles. Results last six months to one year.
Radiesse: Radiesse belongs to yet another family of fillers distinguished by their synthetic ingredients, in this case, calcium hydroxylapatite. Radiesse is used to treat deep wrinkles, with long lasting results and possibly long term improvements.
Sculptra: Another member of the synthetic filler family, Sculptra is generally used to treat HIV patients who have lost facial structure. Results last about a year.
Belotero: Belotero is one of the newest fillers to be approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration. Part of the hyaluronic acid family, it is used to treat moderate to severe wrinkles with natural and long lasting results. It is sometimes used in conjunction with Botox.
Posted on behalf of Benjamin Stong, MD, Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery, LLC