Cosmetic injectable fillers have become one of the most competitive markets in the world of plastic surgery.  There are currently more than 15 different brands available to consumers – all claiming that they are the best nonsurgical injectable to smooth out your wrinkles or plump up your lips. To help make all of this less confusing, I’ve written a brief description of the most popular dermal fillers on the market, so you can decide (with the help of a plastic surgeon), which product will best fit your needs.  

(This week’s blog will focus on the popular HA fillers – my next entry will give more detail on alternative popular filler products)

Restylane® is the world’s leading dermal filler, with an estimated 10 million injections since the product launched in 2004.  Like many of its filler friends, Restylane® is made of hyaluronic acid (commonly referred to as an “HA filler”).  In fact, Restylane® was the first filler developed to use non-animal collagen (most previous products used bovine collagen).  The hyaluronic acid in Restylane®, and products like it, have a very low risk of allergic reaction because the substance occurs naturally in the body. Restylane® is commonly used for the correction of wrinkles under the eyes and around the nose and mouth, as well as for the plumping up of lips.  Because the acid in Restylane tends to absorb water, temporary swelling can be expected. Restylane® lasts from 3 to 12 months (6 months on average), but because it is an HA filler, hyaluronidase (enzymes that eat away HA) can be used to dissolve the product if the results are not what you expected.

Perlane® is made by the same company as Restylane® and also makes use of hyaluronic acid, however the particles are larger, making the product thicker for effective treatment of deeper wrinkles.  Perlane® is only FDA approved to last 6 months, and like Restylane®, it can be dissolved.

JUVÉDERM® is a popular competitor among the HA fillers and was developed by the same makers of Botox®.  This product is popular for the treatment of moderate to deep wrinkles around the eyes, nose, and mouth and is also good for lips. JUVÉDERM® tends to absorb less water than Restylane® and therefore results in less swelling.  It lasts on average about 9 months (this is less for use in lips) and like other HA fillers, can be dissolved.  JUVÉDERM® is noted for flowing smoothly under the skin.

As you can see, there are pros and cons to each product.  Much of the decision concerning which filler you use depends on your individual needs and the plastic surgeon you are seeking services from.  To find out more about the fillers at the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta or to schedule a consultation visit our website or call us at 404-499-0111.