What Facial Filler Is Right for Your Needs?

Exposure to the elements and normal aging can cause damage to the surface of the skin. Unsightly wrinkles, lines and depressions on the skin’s surface can make people look older than they really are or feel. A number of dermal compounds have been developed to help fill these lines and depressions to produce a smoother, younger appearance.

Restylane

Restylane is a hyaluronic compoundthat is used for lines between nose and mouth, brow lines, lines beneath the eyes and lip enhancement. However, the smaller molecules of this product make it last for a shorter period of time, generally six to eight months. However, this shorter longevity makes it a good product to allow patients to “try on” an improved look. We typically will find that this filler works best in upper lip lines.

Perlane

Perlane is another choice in dermal fillers. It contains hyaluronic acid like Juvederm, but the matrix consists of bigger molecules that helps fill larger facial depressions more easily. It can be used to fill chin lines, cheeks, lines at the eyebrows and mouth lines. Perlane is easily molded but has a denser consistency that can cause bumps in areas that move frequently. It lasts for nine months to one year. We currently do not use Perlane very often in our practice. We do carry it for the patients that have had it in the past and are looking to continue with it.

Juvederm

Juvederm was the first injectable facial filler compound that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved for use in 2006. Juvederm is primarily made from hyaluronic acid, a compound naturally made in the human body that can be found in the skin, muscles and tendons. It is used to fill “smile lines” and depressions left by acne scars. It is also used to enhance the shape of lips. Juvederm is often the preferred product used by dermatologists and plastic surgeons because of its soft consistency and ability to be easily molded to fill facial lines. Juvederm is known for producing a natural effect for dermal filling. The results generally last for six to nine months, but can last up to a year. We love to inject this product into the Lips and sometimes lip lines. We also use Juvederm Ultra Plus to help correct nasal labial folds and marionette lines.

JuvedermVoluma XC

This new form of Juvederm offers molecules that stick together more tightly, which allows the filling of deeper lines and depressions with natural looking results. It can last up to two years and is reversible, if needed. However, Juvederm Voluma XC is a deep insertion filler that is injected closer to the bone.It is also more expensive than the traditional form of Juvederm. Our patients are loving the results of this product. It is most generally injected into the mid-face area defining a stonger looking cheekbone.

Radiesse

Another facial filler, Radiesse, contains hyaluronic acid along with calcium hydroxyapitite. This combination of ingredients can give more fullness to cheeks and deeper fold lines at the mouth and forehead. It may also be used for lip augmentation. However, Radiesse consists of the same type of compounds used in bone, and it cannot be reversed. It will remain for up to eighteen months. Radiesse is moderately priced and can be a good choice for those with deeper facial depressions.

Belotero

Belotero is a monophasic, double cross-linked form of hyaluronic acid, which increases the softness and malleability of the filler when using it. It provides good results in filling deep furrows in the forehead, mouth lines and scar depressions. It can also be used for lip fullness. It is moderately priced, but may require several injections to give the best results. Belotero lasts for six to nine months.

Sculptra

Sculptra contains a compound called poly-L-lactic acid. It is generally used for deeper lines at the corners of mouth, wrinkling of the cheeks or chin, to fill deep scars or to give more density to sunken cheeks. It is one of the longer lasting dermal fillers, providing good results for up to two years. It is also more expensive than other fillers, and two to three treatments may be necessary.

Consult With a Facial Plastic Surgeon

With the wide range of choices to suit specific needs,The Williams Rejuva Center under the medical direction of  Dr. Edwin F. Williams can help you to achieve the younger, smoother facial appearance you desire. Dr. Edwin F. Williams is certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the American Board of Otolaryngology and he is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. If you’re considering a cosmetic procedure, and want to consult with an experienced New York facial plastic surgeon, call the Williams Center at 1-518-941-8416.