Types of Dermal Fillers – The Complete Guide
There are many ways to slow down and fight the natural aging process – from a healthy and balanced diet and regular exercise to anti-wrinkle creams and plastic surgery. The latter delivers quick and visible results but is also invasive, risky and hard to reverse. Luckily, people who are seeking to reduce or eliminate the signs of aging now have an excellent alternative – professional dermal fillers! In fact, they have several good alternatives since the today’s market offers a selection of various types of reliable soft-tissue fillers, the most popular of which are those that have one of the following main ingredients:
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Calcium Hydrodylapatite
- Polylactic Acid
- Polymethyl-Methacrylate Microspheres
- Polyalkylimide
Each of these advanced filler injection options has its own unique characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, effects, etc. Simply put - there are many types of fillers. Knowing the difference between them is of an essential importance not only for board-certified plastic surgeons but also for anyone interested in undergoing a minimally invasive skin rejuvenation treatment or a quick facial contouring or augmentation procedure involving the use of top-rated dermal filler products. Dermal Cosmetics’ exhaustive guide on popular dermal fillers will help you learn more all this topic.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
Even if you are new to the world of professional dermal filler treatments, you have probably heard about HA fillers. They contain Hyaluronic Acid – an incredible compound that is present in many different parts of the human body. From the fluid formed around the eyes and that found in our joints to the skin tissues – this substance plays a huge role in maintaining the organism well-hydrated and youthful. It was first released as an alternative to collagen but today it is the leading skin filler option in the world and it has an FDA approval for a long list of applications.
Characteristics
The Hyaluronic Acid featured in anti-wrinkle fillers is not directly extracted from the human body. It has been derived through a process of biofermantation and because of that it is free of animal-based ingredients. At the same time, these advanced skin rejuvenation injectable gels are 100% biocompatible and biodegradable.
Best uses
Out of all long-lasting fillers, those that contain HA deliver that most versatile anti-aging treatment. The size of their gel particles can be easily modified and tailored for their application on various zones of the face and even the body. That is why it has easily become a favorite to qualified cosmetic surgeons who have the freedom to rely on Hyaluronic Acid for anything from the correction of superficial smile lines to the improvement of facial contours. Depending on their gel texture and structure, these new-generation soft-tissue fillers are injected into one the three main layers of the dermis. Due to its unique properties, HA rejuvenates the skin in three ways since it has filling and moisturizing effects and the ability to retain collagen. Therefore, it serves multiple uses.
- Immediately removes facial lines, folds and wrinkles
- Temporarily corrects volume loss
- Has natural hydrating properties
- Delivers a visible lip plumping and enhancement effect and corrects thin lips
- Improves facial contours
- Offers a risk-free nose, chin and/or cheek augmentation
Advantages
Results after an HA injection are instant and longer-lasting compared to those delivered by collagen injections. This type of products is also completely dissolved into the soft tissue and it leaves no traces behind, making it incredibly risk-free. The longevity of these anti-wrinkle fillers varies but typically results last for at least 6 months.
Disadvantages
The only downside of HA-based injections is that it usually costs more compared to the collagen alternative.
Renowned HA filler brands: Restylane, Juvederm, Teosyal, Bolotero, Princess, Regenovue, Rejeunesse
Calcium Hydrohylapatite (CaHA)
Calcium Hydrohylapatite is another substance that is naturally present in the human organism. It can be found in the human bones and because of that it has many properties in common with minerals. CaHA is a compound that has been used in other fields such as orthopedics and dentistry for many years and with great success at that.
Characteristics
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has officially approved Calcium Hydrohylapatite’s use as a main ingredient in professional-grade skin fillers. The injectable gel contains small calcium-rich microspheres mixed with Carboxymethylcellulose (a safe substance derived from cellulose backbone). CaHA is manufactured through a biosynthetic process and because of that it does not feature any materials that have an animal origin.
Best uses
World-class soft-tissue fillers based on Calcium Hydrohylapatite such as Radiesse are in their element when applied in anti-aging treatments that aim to improve the face’s contour or its definition. They are particularly effective in providing outstanding nose augmentation, jawline contouring and chin enhancement results. Just like PLA filler injections, they stimulate skin’s collagen production and synthesis which makes it a good option for patients who want to correct acne scars or reduce the appearance of forehead wrinkles without having to undergo a surgical procedure.
- Well-balanced facial contouring (especially for nose, jawline and chin contouring)
- Fast removal of nasolabial folds
- Guaranteed correction of frown lines
- Smoothly fills acne scars
- Can improve facial definition
Advantages
Given that CaHA-based products contain zero ingredients of an animal origin and are fully absorbed by the human body and a treatment involving their application is remarkably risk-free. Patients are not even required to undergo skin testing prior to the procedure and allergic reactions and adverse effects are very rare. As a substance that is already existing in the human organism and which increases collagen levels within the skin, it has the impressive power to deliver results that look exceptionally natural. Effects usually last for about 1-2 years because the gel does not migrate.
Disadvantages
An advantage can sometimes be also a disadvantage. The low gel migration index and the firm texture of this type of clinically-tested skin rejuvenation product means that it is not a suitable option for the correction of highly movable areas of the face like the lips. Also, it is not a good choice of a filler for the treatment of facial zones in which the skin is too thin because it will give it a whitish appearance if it is applied close to its surface. Unfortunately, CaHA injectable fillers are also expensive when compared to other solutions from this category.
Renowned CaHA filler brands: Radiesse
| Dermal Filler | Longevity of filler | Benefits | Drawbacks | Areas |
| Hyaluronic Acid | 6-12 months or even more | Naturally occurs in the human organism; Safe; Biocompatible and biodegradable; Versatile treatment options; Collagen retaining, moisturizing and filling effects; Immediate results. | Usually costs more than collagen fillers | Various facial areas, neck, décolleté |
| Calcium Hydrohylapatite | 1 – 2 years | Stimulates collagen production; Easy to shape and to mold; Incredibly natural-looking results; Proven to be very safe; Does not migrate; Naturally present in the human body | Expensive; Not suitable for lip contouring or augmentation; Gives skin a whitish appearance when applied to close to its surface | Forehead, chin, nose, jawline and others |
| Polylactic Acid | Up to 2 years | Boosts collagen production; Long-lasting effects; Safe | Results are not immediate; | Cheeks, temples, tear troughs, lips, forehead, perioral area, etc. |
| Polymethyl-Methacrylate Microspheres | Up to 5 years | Contains collagen; Durable effects; | Risk of overfilling; Can sometimes be seen under the skin; Full effects become visible after about 3 months | Nasolabial folds; Lines, wrinkles, folds and furrows with a medium-to-deep depth; Lips; Acne scars |
| Polyalkylimide | Several years | Biocompatible; Long-lasting; Stable | Greater risk of adverse effects; Cannot be injected into thin-skin areas | Chin, cheek, jawline, severe facial folds |
Polymethyl-Methacrylate Microspheres (PMMA)
Just like PLA, PMMA, or Polymethyl-Methacrylate as it is its full name, has been around for some time and it has many different uses among which are the manufacturing of coatings, appliances, eyeglass lenses and even artificial teeth and aquariums. As a dermal filler, it enjoys a somewhat more limited popularity mainly because it is less versatile compared to other filler options.
Characteristics
Even though they are called PMMA skin fillers, in most of the cases, only one-fifth of their structure is made up of Polymethyl-Methacrylate microspheres. The remaining nearly 80% are all collagen. That is why they have a robust skin rejuvenating effect that is so durable that these advanced cosmetic products are semi-permanent when it comes to their longevity.
Best uses
Due to their dense texture and the presence of microspheres in their gel, these dependable soft-tissue fillers are an obvious choice for treatments that offer:
- Gradual reduction of nasolabial folds
- Successful removal of middle-to-severe facial folds and wrinkles
- Noticeable lip augmentation
- Effective correction of acne scars
Currently, there is only one FDA-approved PMMA filler injection and that is Bellafill.
Advantages
These products one big advantage over their PLA-based rivals. They provide the skin with both volume and collagen. Although the collagen boost they offer is not naturally stimulated (meaning that its efficacy may vary from patient to patient), it has a more powerful anti-aging properties. Thanks to its collagen-rich formula, this masterpiece of the modern cosmetic industry delivers the treated areas with an exceptional firmness and improves the texture of the dermis.
Disadvantages
A pioneering anti-aging treatment with this type of injectable does not hide many risks and adverse effects for patients. Yet, there is always a chance for a mild allergic reaction. Its greatest disadvantage is that it can easily lead to overfilling. The big thickness of its gel can make injection hard to control and the gel itself hard to mold. That is why the need for a fully qualified cosmetic surgeon for such procedures is a must. Often times, seasoned medical clinicians prefer to apply PLLA fillers into two phases to avoid overdone results. A special injection technique needs to be used, otherwise the gel implant may become visible under the dermis. Also, it will take nearly 3 months for the collagen in it to deliver the anticipated results.
Renowned PMMA filler brands: Bellafill, ArteColl, ArteFill
Polyalkylimide
Polyalkylimide is a polymer used in the production of semi-permanent dermal fillers. There are not many products of this type since they only target deep-to-severe facial wrinkles and folds and are also used during facial augmentation procedures.
Characteristics
Most of the reliable skin fillers from this category contain less than 10% of Polyalkymide (usually 4%) and are mainly composed of water. Therefore, they are often referred to as hydrogel fillers. Plastic surgeons administer them through a subcutaneous injection under local anesthetic.
Best uses
The texture of this injectable product is rather firm and dense which makes it ideal for the correction of severe facial depressions and wrinkles. Polyalkylimide fillers injected into the chin, cheek and jaw, on the other hand, deliver amazing augmentation results.
- Enhance the appearance of thin lips
- Deliver jawline contouring
- Provide cheek and chin augmentation
- Eliminate severe wrinkles (skin depressions, deep nasolabial folds, etc.)
Advantages
Once injected into the skin, this superb filler gel can remain stable for many years. That ensures durable results. At the same time, patients can ask their cosmetic surgeon to remove it at any time. Within 6-8 weeks after the treatment, a collagen layer will form around the gel which further contributes to its amazing longevity.
Disadvantages
Polyalkylimide soft-tissue fillers cannot be used for thin line and wrinkle removal. Also, the risk of side effects (such as infections) is higher compared to that with other skin rejuvenating fillers.
Renowned Polyalkylimide filler brands: BioAlkamid, Aquamid
