Dermal fillers are injectable synthetic or natural compounds that can smooth out age-related wrinkles. They add volume to parts of the skin and hide skin scars. They can also strengthen facial lines and other areas of the body. Most fillers work by mechanically adding injectors, while some of them can stimulate the skin to make natural collagen improving filler effect.
Fillers vs neurotoxins
Fillers and neurotoxins are fundamentally different in their uses and how they work. While fillers are better for age-related wrinkles and fine lines, Neurotoxins work best on dynamic wrinkles caused by repetitive muscle movements. Neurotoxins, such as Botox, Dysport and Xeomin, are pure extracts of a bacterial toxin which can temporarily reduce muscle strokes in the injected areas and improve the appearance of wrinkles.
What are fillers used for?
Soft tissue fillers are commonly used on the face that can fill in wrinkles and fine lines and also add volume to the skin. Fillers can also be used to treat wrinkles on other areas of the body and to hide scars.
Facial area
Dermal fillers are commonly used on the face to fill in and smooth out age-related wrinkles. These areas include the following:
- Nasal folds, which are fine lines running from the nose to the borders of the lips
- Marionette lines, which are vertical lines from the borders of the lips to the chin
- The area between the eyebrows
- The area under the lower eyelid
- Chin
Dermal fillers can also increase the volume and appearance of some areas, including:
- lips
- Nose
- Chin
- Temples
- Cheeks
Other uses:
Dermal fillers can be used for other types of symptoms, such as improving the appearance of acne scars, smoothing out ear wrinkles, and hand injections. They can also be used to strengthen the hips.
What types of skin fillers are there?
Broadly, dermal fillers can be classified into temporary and semi-permanent types. Differences in chemical composition show variation in effectiveness as well as their applications and side effects. Temporary fillers are biodegradable and gradually lose their effectiveness over six months to two years. They include those based on hyaluronic acid, polylactic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite, and collagen. Semi-permanent fillers can have results with significant durability. Polymethyl methacrylate is the only semi-permanent filler currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the United States.
Hyaluronic acid fillers
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a complex natural sugar found in skin, cartilage, body fluids as well as many other types of body tissues. Hyaluronic acid fillers can be used to add volume to the cheeks and lips, as well as to smooth out wrinkles around the eyes, mouth and nasal folds. Results can last up to two years. Hyaluronic acid fillers are the most popular type of dermal fillers in Vancouver.
Poly-L-lactic acid
Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is a synthetic and biocompatible compound used for decades in surgical sutures and medical devices. Its main using point is the ability to stimulate the synthesis of natural collagen by the skin in the injection areas.
Calcium hydroxyapatites
Calcium hydroxyapatite (CAHA) is a mineral compound found naturally in bones and teeth. In addition to its direct volumetric effect, CAHA can stimulate the production of collagen by cells in the skin and enhance the filling effect.
Collagen
Fillers that contain natural compound collagen have been favorably removed compared to newer and more effective synthetic compounds such as hyaluronic acid. Collagen is extracted from animal sources so there is a relatively higher risk of causing inflammatory and allergic reactions.
