What are the types of dermal fillers out there?

Let's have a look at how to differentiate between the different filler types.

1. Hyaluronic Acid (Absorbable/Temporary Filler)

Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are the most popular category of dermal fillers. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is naturally produced by the body. The highest concentrations are found in the skin, inside joints, and within the eye sockets. The role of hyaluronic acid is to increase moisture, retain collagen, and provide elasticity and flexibility. It can also be described as a humectant, as it serves to attract and bind water molecules, thus keeping the skin hydrated as well as giving it volume. FDA-approved hyaluronic acid dermal fillers include:

• Juvéderm products: Juvéderm XC, VOLUMA, VOLBELLA, VOLLURE
• Restylane products: Restylane, Restylane Silk, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Refyne, and Restylane Defyne
• Belotero Balance
• Revolax Fine, Deep, Sub Q
• Other brands (Teosyal; Metoo; Rejeunesse; Inobelle+; Neuramis; Dermalax; Method; Etc.)

2. Calcium Hydroxylapatite (Absorbable/Temporary Filler)

Calcium hydroxylapatite is also a naturally occurring substance that is present in our bones. It is a mineral-like compound, making it thicker than hyaluronic acid fillers and also the heaviest of all dermal fillers. The only FDA-approved calcium hydroxylapatite dermal filler is Radiesse. Radiesse produces results that last a year or more in many patients.

3. Poly-L-lactic Acid (Absorbable/Temporary Filler)

Poly-L-lactic acid is a synthetic substance that is biocompatible, which means it is safe to use in the body, as well as biodegradable. In fact, before it was used as a dermal filler it was used for many years in medical devices, such as dissolvable stitches. The only FDA-approved Poly-L-lactic acid dermal filler is Sculptra® Aesthetic.

4. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) (Non Absorbable/Permanent Filler)

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is a synthetic, biocompatible substance that has been used for much of the last century in permanent surgical implants. When used as a dermal filler, PMMA takes the form of a “microsphere” or tiny ball, that remains beneath the skin to provide continued support. PMMA fillers also contain collagen to provide additional structure and firmness. FDA approved PMMA fillers include Bellafill® (formerly known as Artefill).

Which areas can these fillers be used?

Hyaluronic Acid dermal fillers can restore a more youthful appearance by filling out wrinkles and replacing lost facial volume. Research has shown that repeated treatments can stimulate the production of collagen, resulting in added firmness and support. The duration of these fillers varies based on the product and can range anywhere from several months to over a year or two. According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, Calcium Hydroxylapatite has been reported to help stimulate natural collagen production, and it is typically used for deeper lines and wrinkles.

Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) dermal fillers are classified as collagen stimulators based on their mechanism of action: they smooth fine lines and wrinkles by helping skin rebuild natural collagen, with the filler gel itself dissolving a few days after treatment. These fillers are mainly used to treat deeper facial wrinkles and produce results that can last more than 2 years.

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) fillers are most commonly used to treat medium-to-deep wrinkles, folds and furrows, particularly nasolabial folds. They can also be used to fill out pitted scars and to augment thin lips. A drawback of PMMA fillers is that multiple injections are needed to create volume and it can take up to three months to realize the full effects.

Filler Types and Where to Use Them

Not all filler types can be used to solve every problem on the face. The three main types of filler types consist of Light, Deep and Volume. The main difference between them all is the percentage of cross-linked hyaluronic acid present in each.

The blemishes treatable by hyaluronic acid

1. Labial wrinkles
2. Thin Lips
3. Cheekbones
4. Facial wrinkles
5. Crow's Feet
6. Under the eyes
7. Dark circles
8. Acne scars
9. Chin augmentation
10. Jawline
11. Other uses
12. Penis augmentation
13. Breast augmentation
14. Buttock augmentation

What's the difference between cross-linked and non cross-linked hyaluronic acid?

Cross-linked hyaluronic acid has been slightly altered so that the bonds of the molecules make thicker chains, thus giving more volume and making affected areas fuller. Cross-links are bonds between the chains of molecules that form the dermal filler.

Non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid is typically used for topical matters such as creams and serums. Non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid can also have other acids or vitamins added for a more beneficial effect. With that being said, non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid fillers do not produce any volume. When buying a filler to plump, do not go for a non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid filler.

Filler Types

1. Light Filler Types

Light (also referred to as Fine), namely, has the lowest percentage of cross-linked hyaluronic acid. Because of this, fillers categorized as light tend to have a more water-like consistency. Light fillers are used when delicate areas need a slight change.

• Areas for light filler: under eye; forehead; light nasolabial folds.
• Popular light filler brands: Inobelle+ F; Metoo Light; Revolax Fine; Rejeunesse Fine.

2. Deep Filler Types

Deep (also referred to as Classic) has a slightly higher concentration of cross-linked hyaluronic acid, making these fillers better suited for areas that require a little more umph. Using a light filler in the areas below would not give a noticeable change as the plumping agent's concentration isn't as high.

• Areas for deep fillers: lip; chin; deep nasolabial folds.
• Popular deep filler brands: Inobelle+ D; Meto Deep; Revolax Deep; Neuramis Deep; Rejeunesse Deep.

3. Volume Filler Types

Volume has the highest concentration of cross-linked hyaluronic acid between the three. Due to the higher percentage of cross-linked hyaluronic acid, this filler is a bit thicker and is typically not aggressively manipulated to be spread out. Therefore, volume filler works best in the areas that need correction.

• Areas for volume filler: cheek; nose.
• Popular volume filler brands: Inobelle+ S; Method Volume; Revolax Sub Q; Neuramis Volume; Rejeunesse Shape.

Please note that only fine and deep fillers can be used with a Hyaluron Pen. Volume fillers are too dense, and therefore cannot penetrate the skin without a needle injection. When buying fillers for you Hyaluron Pen, go for the fine or deep fillers!

Why buy hyaluronic acid fillers?

Modern aesthetic medicine offers various antiaging solutions to counteract the passing of time and especially signs such as wrinkles and dark circles, as well as giving the possibility to remodel parts of the face and body thanks to the filler technique, products that are injected under the skin and able to reduce blemishes with a substance called hyaluronic acid: characteristics, functions, duration of treatment, prices and everything you need to know about these fillers.

What is hyaluronic acid

When we talk about hyaluronic acid, we mean a substance present in the connective tissues of all animals, including those of the human species: it is an essential disaccharide for the development of collagen and other elastic fibers and therefore to keep the skin hydrated and especially elastic and toned. The characteristic that makes the ideal substance for a targeted aesthetic treatment is that of attracting and retaining water so that the fabric has constant hydration. In the eyes of a doctor who injects hyaluronic acid, it looks like a liquid, but becomes a kind of gel, therefore it is an ideal product to give volume, fill wrinkles and parts of the face or body (for example, to replenish the hollowed cheeks but also the buttocks).

Hyaluronic acid filler: permanent result?

Being a totally natural substance, hyaluronic acid gives a lasting but temporary result. The substance is reabsorbed by the body in variable times. For this reason, fast reabsorption fillers are distinguished those that last up to 3 months; fillers fillers if the result lasts up to 6 months and slow reabsorption fillers when it reaches 1 year or more. Once the estimated time has elapsed, the procedure must be repeated if the same aesthetic result is desired.

What does hyaluronic acid filler do

The function of the hyaluronic acid filler is easy to understand: correct the imperfections of mature women and men, but even young skin can take advantage of this non-invasive treatment if you have acne scars, expression lines (such as chicken paws). It can also be used to increase the volume of some parts of the face (usually the lips) or to reshape the contour by targeted injection on the cheekbones or chin, or for the nose area if you are afraid of rhinoplasty. It is also a recommended treatment for those with dark circles and bag problems, and for sunken eyes. The latest generation fillers also have the ability to shape parts of the body such as the buttocks, calves or arms.

What are the best fillers with hyaluronic acid

The fillers with hyaluronic acid are not all the same at all, and the doctor chooses the best option based on the origin of the substance, the concentration of the substance, the size of the particles, the consistency of the gel (useful for stabilizing the product), whether or not anesthetic is present in the syringe or other factors (to reduce the risk of possible reactions, especially if the patient has sensitive and very delicate skin). In aesthetic medicine some of the most famous brands in the world are Restylane, Juvederm, Belotero, Revolax, Dermalax and others.

How hyaluronic acid filler works

The doctor, after the preliminary visit and the evaluation of the problem, makes an appointment with the patient in the clinic to inject the filler. The substance is injected through a previously filled syringe, sterile, disposable and equipped with a very thin needle. The professional proceeds with small injections on the surface or in depth and the intervention can last from 15 to 30 minutes. Usually, the doctor chooses not to inject a local anesthetic, rather opts for an anesthetic ointment if he has to treat hypersensitive areas such as the eye area or the lips, but if he has to intervene on the chin or cheekbones, it may be necessary and he chooses between that local or even truncular (an anesthetized nerve trunk). All this is also evaluated knowing the patient's clinical past and whether he is sensitive to anesthetics or not.