Types and Benefits of Injectable Fillers

Over the last few decades, the area of cosmetic surgery has grown to offer a number of alternatives to clients looking to spruce up their looks and hold off the advance of time. Not everyone wants or needs faces lifts in order to achieve the results they hope for. Injectables are rapidly becoming an important solution to a number of cosmetic issues such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and loss of soft tissue volume. It is important to understand that injectable fillers such as Juvederm and Radiesse are not the same as Botox. Botox is not a filler, instead it relaxes wrinkles by paralyzing muscles. It can do nothing to fill or plump areas that have lost volume over time.

Different types of Fillers

There are a number of different fillers available. Each filler has specific uses based on the area it is used in and type of problems the filler is targeting.

• Juvederm – Consists of hyaluronic acid gel, a naturally occurring substance. This filler helps to create volume and the appearance of hydration. Juvederm is best for temporary correction of folds and moderate to severe wrinkles.
• Radiesse – Contains a synthetic dermal filler of calcium hydroxyapatite microspheres in gel and is used to fill moderate to severe folds and wrinkles. Radiesse lasts longer than many other fillers, because it causes the body to create new collagen around the dermal filler.
• Restylane – Gel composed of hyaluronic acid – used for areas around the mouth and eyes.Collagen – Marketed under the name Zyderm this filler is made from purified cow skin and used to fill wrinkles, lines, and scars.
• Sculptra – A synthetic polylactic acid containing microspheres.
• Captique and Hylaform– Both made from hyaluronic acid, used for moderate to severe wrinkles and folds

How Dermal Fillers Work

Each dermal filler works in a slightly different way. Radiesse is unique, because it works as a filler smoothing wrinkles and folds right away, but it also offers long term correction of cosmetic problems. Because Radiesse stimulates the body to produce collagen, the effects of this filler can last a year or more. Other fillers such as Juvederm contain hyaluronic acid which absorbs water similar to a sponge, leaving the area where it is injected plumper. Juvederm and other hyaluronic based fillers are perfect for lips and areas there is a serious loss of volume, and last about 6 months to a year.

Benefits of Injectable Fillers

The biggest advantage of fillers such as Juvederm and Radiesse is that sessions are very short, usually no more than 20 minutes and treatments require minimal downtime and have few side effects. Dr. Weiler will ask you to refrain from strenuous activity and reduce sun exposure for the first 24 hours.