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Why Are There Different Kinds of Dermal Fillers and How Are Each Used?

When it comes to dermal fillers, each one is crafted very specifically to serve a different area of the face. Depending on where a filler is going, it might need to have more structure or be more pliable; all fillers usually have a gel-like consistency.

Dermal fillers typically fulfill three different goals:

  • Smoothing skin
  • Restoring volume
  • Improving symmetry

These three elements lead to a more youthful appearance, along with skin that is plumper and better hydrated.

Your practitioner will be able to determine which dermal filler is best for your aesthetic goals. However, knowing more about what each dermal filler does and how they affect your appearance can allow you to be an engaged participant when it comes to your care plan.

Here are the top fillers being used today, along with an overview of what each of them has to offer.

1. Hyaluronic Acid

A substance that naturally occurs in the body, hyaluronic acid keeps skin moisturized and plump by holding onto water. As you age, your production of hyaluronic acid greatly slows, leading to a dehydrated look and wrinkles.

Hyaluronic acid fillers are gel-like and usually contain lidocaine to combat any discomfort from the injection. They smooth wrinkles and help your skin achieve a soft, hydrated look.

FDA-approved hyaluronic acid fillers on the market today include:

  • Restylane Products: Restylane Silk, Lyft, Refyne, and Defyne
  • Juvéderm Products: Juvéderm XC, VOLUMA, VOLBELLA, VOLLURE
  • Belotero Balance

Results typically last six to twelve months. 

2. Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA)

PLLA injections help smooth deep wrinkles and restore volume by stimulating collagen production. While the product itself dissolves naturally within a few days after the treatment, the stimulation leaves the skin with a higher rate of collagen production, creating effects that last much longer.

Our faces tend to thin out with age. With PLLA, as more collagen is produced, the structure and volume of the face are renewed.

Currently, Sculptra® Aesthetic is the only FDA-approved PLLA filler.

Results will appear gradually over the first few months and can last for up to two years.

3. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)

Synthetic and biocompatible, PMMA often comes in the form of a small, ball-like structure that sits beneath the skin. It provides support and contains collagen.

PMMA injections are most often used for medium to deep wrinkles. They work particularly well around smile and laugh lines. This treatment can also be used as a support underneath pitted acne scars, which can restore the skin’s smooth surface.

Bellafill® is currently the only FDA-approved PMMA filler.

Results from this treatment are more permanent, as PMMA is meant to stay in place indefinitely.

4. Calcium Hydroxylapatite

One of the more popular fillers, calcium hydroxylapatite is used to restore lost facial volume and to correct mild to severe wrinkles and folds.

Calcium hydroxylapatite is a substance that is found in human bones. While in this form, it is a gel-like substance that is a bit thicker than a hyaluronic acid filler. It stimulates collagen production for smoother, bouncier skin.

The only current FDA-approved Calcium hydroxylapatite filler is Radiesse®.

Effects can last for up to twelve months.

The Best Fillers from a Name You Trust

When you’re receiving an injection, always make sure that you’re getting a brand-name FDA-approved filler and that you’re working with an experienced physician. Improper injections and fake fillers can lead to skin death, potential vision problems, circulation complications, and more.New York Metropolitan Vein and Aesthetic Center uses only the best and most pure fillers on the market to ensure that you can achieve your skincare goals while remaining safe. Give us a call to find out how our specialists can help you to achieve your skin goals, or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

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