Comparing Different Types of Facial Fillers

One of the fastest growing cosmetic-treatment trends is the use of facial fillers to reverse the signs of aging and add volume strategically to the face.

This is an excellent, noninvasive alternative to some surgical procedures under the right circumstances, especially for those patients showing only the early signs of aging. Facial fillers, specific injectable products that restore fullness and volume beneath folds and wrinkles, come in many varieties, each with its own ideal usage for recreating a youthful appearance.

Juvederm and Juvederm Voluma: Two Formulas With Big Benefits

Juvederm offers a line of products all comprised of the naturally-derived hyaluronic acid, a compound found in the human body. The original Juvederm Ultra formula was first approved in 2006 by the FDA as a treatment for moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. Today, Juvederm is most often used to treat these wrinkles that surround the mouth and nose, run across the forehead, and form between the cheeks and nose. It has also been determined a safe and effective way to enhance the lips and contour the face. Since hyaluronic acid presence beneath the skin will stimulate collagen production, Juvederm also has long-term benefits for patients.

Juvederm Voluma XC is a new addition to the Juvederm family, offering a thicker, plumper, and longer-lasting effect to specific facial areas. It was created as a way to rejuvenate the face without surgery, so it has a dramatic effect on the cheeks and midface, replacing the natural facial pads that erode with age. This natural-looking lift is the result of the sculptable smooth gel hyaluronic acid, crosslinked with Vycross technology, and the results can be incredible for the right patient.

Radiesse: Treating Wrinkles Around the Nose and Mouth

Radiesse, previously known as Radiance, is a biocompatible, non-toxic, and non-allergenic filler comprised of calcium hydroxyapatite (caHA). The most common uses of Radiesse include facial wrinkles and folds around the mouth and nose, like the nasolabial folds and marionette lines that are common to the aging process. The initial three months following your Radiesse injections involve the filler plumping the skin, with extended benefits to your skin as new tissue regenerates.

The treatment process for Radiesse, and most injectable fillers, takes only about 15 to 20 minutes and will leave you with some early results. Your full results will evolve during the first few days following your treatment, but there is no downtime from this procedure at all. Radiesse is safe to use on almost all patients and carries only minimal side effects, such as minor swelling and discomfort. Treating the deep lines around the nose and mouth is a breeze with a product like Radiesse.

Restylane Lyft: A Perfect All-Around Filler

Patients experiencing some of the deeper wrinkles and folds as a result of aging can see dramatic improvements for a more youthful appearance with the help of Restylane Lyft. This hyaluronic acid filler is FDA-approved as a safe and natural treatment for the mild creases around the mouth, but can generate significant results for even deeper lines. Many plastic surgeons opt to use Restylane Lyft in the deeper wrinkles and folds found between the nose and mouth. It is also well known for its ability to define facial contours and add volume to facial areas like the cheeks, chin, and jaw as needed.

The list of Restylane Lyft’s uses doesn’t stop there, either. As lip enhancement procedures become more and more popular, Restylane Lyft has become a go-to choice for adding volume to the lips and redefining the lip border. It can also help to plump the eyebrows to eliminate deep frown lines, smooth the hollows underneath the eyes, and soften many types of scars and skin depressions. All in all, Restylane Lyft seems to be an all-around dermal filler option that generates real success in its patients. Restylane Lyft’s formula is similar to the popular Restylane (which you’ll learn about below) but has a thicker consistency.

Restylane: A Top Filler Choice

The aging process can hit the area around the eyes, mouth, and nose particularly hard, leaving fine lines and wrinkles in its wake. Restylane is a top choice among the available dermal fillers, especially given its effectiveness in treating those areas. With only mild side effects, like minimal redness and minor inflammation, Restylane can provide quick, effective results in treating the signs of aging. It is also one of the least expensive filler brands, providing results that last twice as long.

With a Restylane treatment, which is quick enough to have performed during your lunch break, the results will begin to appear instantly and can last for years. It has only minimal side effects and a very low rate of them, so you’ll be able to return to your regularly scheduled activities right away. Gradually, you’ll notice those fine lines, wrinkles, and creases begin to fade away as the Restylane formula does its job. It’s fast and effective results are a huge part of what makes Restylane such a popular choice among competing dermal filler products.

Sculptra: A Long-Term Fat Replacement

Sculptra, or New-Fill as it’s known in some countries, is one variety of dermal filler made from poly-L-lactic acid. Approved by the FDA in 2004, Sculptra has been in use in Europe since 1999. It is an essential treatment for fine lines and wrinkles, as it adds volume and facial contouring in the treatment of lipoatrophy, a condition where fat tissue is lost.

Because it is a synthetic replica of a natural substance secreted by the muscles in the human body, Sculptra’s main ingredient polylactic acid is hypoallergenic and safe to use in most patients. In fact, it has been used to create many surgical products including dissolvable stitches for more than 20 years. When introduced beneath the skin, polylactic acid will stimulate new collagen growth, which will work for four to six weeks to create the desired results: a fuller, more youthful appearance. Results from Sculptra have been known to last up to two years in some patients, with only some slight redness, inflammation, and tenderness as the immediate (but temporary) side effects of the treatment.

Find Your Ideal Facial Filler Match

Choose the right injectable filler for yourself with the help of a trusted physician at Weniger Plastic Surgery. Here, Frederick G. Weniger, M.D., F.A.C.S. provides his patients with years of experience and knowledge during one-on-one consultations regarding the surgeries and nonsurgical treatments available at their practice. Dr. Weniger is board certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He believes good information lies at the heart of success in all of his surgeries and interactions with his patients.

To schedule a consultation for any aesthetic surface or other procedures, contact the office of Weniger Plastic Surgery today at (843) 757-0123. They are located at 350 Fording Island Road, Suite 200, in Bluffton, South Carolina.