What are the Different Types of Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers. There’s a very good chance you’ve heard of this treatment before (after all, you’re reading this!). And as you probably already know, your body’s natural collagen production begins to slow as you get older. When this happens, your skin begins to lose elasticity and volume, which results in sagging and the dreaded appearance of lines and wrinkles. And other factors like sun exposure, genetics, and environmental factors can all expedite the aging process.

But just because your age is increasing, it doesn’t mean that you have to look it! Dermal fillers are an incredible, minimally invasive option for turning back the clock. They’re gel-like substances that work to plump your skin, restore lost volume, and ease the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Dermal fillers can be used in many different parts of the face and body, and can treat common challenges like, nasolabial folds (a.k.a. smile lines), cheek and under-eye hollows, temporal hollows, and the “bar code” or vertical lip lipes that appear in aging lips.

Dermal fillers have made remarkable advances over the years. They’re now safer than ever and have enabled us to target specific trouble spots with greater skill and artistry, providing you with beautiful, natural results. This along with the fact that dermal filler injections are quick and minimally invasive, with very little pain or downtime, make them an incredibly popular option. Best of all, results are visible pretty much right away.

Here at Clarity, we offer many different types of dermal fillers. With a personal, complimentary consultation, we can determine the best dermal filler to meet your needs, helping you to achieve a completely natural, more youthful appearance. It’s always a good idea to educate yourself before taking the plunge, so here’s some info to help you learn the differences between dermal fillers and to find out what fillers we use to treat specific challenges.

Dermal Fillers: What’s the Difference?

The Types of Dermal Fillers

• Hyaluronic acid – Hyaluronic acid, or HA, is a naturally occurring substance that’s found in both humans and animals. This substance binds to water and gives skin its plumpness.
• Calcium hydroxyapatite – This is a mineral-like substance that’s naturally found in your bones. As a filler, calcium particles are practically microscopic and suspended in a smooth gel. CaHA fillers are thicker than HA fillers and are used to treat deeper lines and wrinkles. These types of fillers also typically last longer as well.
• Poly-L-Lactic acid (PLLA) – PLLA is a synthetic biodegradable substance that’s also biocompatible (it’s completely safe to use in your body). This substance has actually been used in medical devices for years, such as dissolvable stitches. PLLA fillers are considered to be collagen stimulators, meaning they help your body to rebuild its own natural collagen.
• Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) – PMMA is another synthetic biodegradable substance. In fillers, PMMA takes the form of tiny spheres that remain underneath your skin to provide support. These fillers also contain collagen to add structure and a firmer appearance.

Small Molecule vs. Large Molecule

Different dermal fillers come in different molecular sizes. These differences in size mean that dermal fillers, while achieving a similar goal, behave a bit differently from one another. Larger molecule dermal fillers are thicker. This makes them better suited for deeper lines and wrinkles, and for targeting more specific areas. Fillers with smaller molecule sizes are thinner. This means they spread more easily and can treat a larger area.

Superficial Fillers vs. Foundational Fillers

Superficial fillers are those meant to treat finer lines and wrinkles in your skin. If you have shallow lines and wrinkles, these types of fillers are perfect for giving you just the right amount of lift. Foundational fillers, on the other hand, treat lines, wrinkles, and sagging at a foundational level. These fillers are thicker, and help your body to produce its own natural collagen. They also typically last longer than superficial fillers.

Short-Term Fillers vs. Long Term-Fillers

Short-term fillers are those that are absorbed by the body over time. They last varying lengths of time. Depending upon the dermal filler, they can last anywhere from 3 to 18 months. Long-term fillers are made from synthetic materials don’t get absorbed by your body. They can actually remain in your body for several years.

The Dermal Fillers We Love

Short-Term Fillers

Belotero Balance®

Belotero Balance is a hyaluronic acid filler. It’s a small molecule, superficial filler that can spread more easily in the skin. It is often recommended to treat pesky fine lines in your skin. Results are immediate and can last as long as 9 months.

Juvederm® Ultra XC

Juvederm Ultra XC is made with hyaluronic acid and has a small molecule size. It’s a superficial filler. It can be used to smooth lines, ease nasolabial folds, add volume to cheeks, and plump your lips. Results can anywhere from 6 months to a year.

Juvederm® Volbella

Juvederm Volbella is a hyaluronic acid filler that has a small molecule size. The concentration of HA is also lower in this particular. It’s a superficial type that is specifically designed to treat vertical lip lines and restore a natural, subtle shape (and fullness) to your lips. The results of this filler last about a year.

Juvederm® Vollure XC

Juvederm Vollure XC, like other Juvderm fillers, is a hyaluronic acid filler. This particular filler contains a mixture of small and larger molecules, and is thicker than Volbella. It’s still considered a type of superficial filler. With Vollure, we can treat moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. Specifically, we can use Vollure to treat smile lines, marionette lines, and nasolabial folds. Vollure lasts anywhere from 6 to 18 months.

Radiesse®

Radiesse is a calcium hydroxyapatite filler. It has larger molecules and is a foundational filler. It adds volume while helping your body to stimulate its own natural collagen production. Radiesse works best for treating deep wrinkles and folds. It can be used to restore volume all over the face as well as volume in your hands. It can even be used to treat the ears and fill in scars. Results last 7 months to a year.

Restylane®

Restylane is a hyaluronic acid filler with a larger molecule size. It’s a superficial filler that can treat moderate to severe lines and wrinkles. This includes nasolabial folds and marionette lines. It can also be used to augment lips and treat dark circles under the eyes. The results of this dermal filler typically last 6 to 9 months.

Restylane® DEFYNE/REFYNE

Both Restylane DEFYNE and Restylane REFYNE are hyaluronic acid fillers. DEFYNE has a larger molecule size, while REFYNE contains smaller molecules. DEFYNE is better suited for achieving lift and volume where REFYNE can help to treat marionette lines, nasolabial folds, and tear troughs. These fillers use XpresHAn technology, which gives just the right amount of lift while still allowing you your natural range of facial movements. Results last up to a year.

Restylane® LYFT

Restylane LYFT is a hyaluronic acid filler. It’s a superficial filler with a larger particle size. We use LYFT to provide fullness to your cheeks and smooth out smile lines. It essentially provides a cheek augmentation. The subtle, natural results last up to a year.

Restylane® Silk

Like all other Restylane fillers, Restylane Silk is a hyaluronic acid filler. The molecules in this superficial filler are smaller. While not a big volumizer, Silk is an incredibly effective treatment for treating issues with your lips, such as thinning and lost shape. It can also help to define the cupid’s bow and smooth out lines around your mouth. Results last about 6 months.

Long-Term Fillers

Artefill®/Bellafill®

Artefill and Bellafill are Polymethylmethacrylate fillers that consist of PMMA microspheres that are suspended in bovine collagen. The molecules in these fillers are larger in size. They’re also foundational fillers, which provide an internal support structure that prompts your body’s natural collagen production while plumping your skin. Artefill and Bellafill can restore volume as well as plump deep wrinkles and scars. They can also be used to augment the nose, chin, and jaw line. Results from these fillers can last up to 5 years.

Juvederm® Voluma XC

Juvederm Voluma XC is a hyaluronic acid filler. It has a large molecular size, and is the thickest of the Juvederm line. It’s a superficial filler that’s designed to treat signs of aging in the cheeks and mid-face region. It’s best suited for lifting and contouring, and does wonders for the most noticeable wrinkles and folds. It can even be used to help augment your chin. Results of Voluma can last up to 2 years.

Sculptra® Aesthetic

Sculptra Aesthetic is a filler that uses Poly-L-Lactic acid. It’s a small molecule filler that is also a foundational filler. It’s referred to as a facelift in a bottle, or a liquid facelift. As a PLLA filler, Sculptra Aesthetic works to stimulate your body’s own natural collagen production, restoring the skin’s internal structure and improving volume gradually over time, over the course of 3 treatments. This particular filler is a global filler, meaning that it can be used to treat many different areas of the face. It’s not very effective for spot-treating specific areas, but it can be incredibly effective for treating larger areas. It can treat volume loss, facial asymmetry, collagen loss, temporal hollows, and sharp features. Results can last up to 2.5 years.

Your cosmetic needs and goals are unique to you. I’m an artist and a professional clinical instructor of dermal fillers. My unique experience allows me to examine a face and understand where “aging” is occurring—and what to do to combat it. I select fillers based on each individual’s needs and determine where to inject it to provide optimal results.

We also participate in Brilliant Distinctions and Aspire patient loyalty rewards programs. These programs enable you to earn points for qualifying treatments, which you can then use toward coupons that can be redeemed for valid services on your next visit.

If you are interested in learning more about dermal fillers, and finding out what fillers are right for you, contact Clarity Medical Aesthetics to schedule your complimentary consultation today!