Dermal Fillers

Which dermal filler you choose really depends on what you want to accomplish. Start by telling your doctor what you want to improve and how long you'd like the filler to last, so that he or she can help you narrow down your choices. Also, do a little research on possible side effects. In November 2008, the FDA recommended that dermal fillers should carry stronger warnings, so patients would be more aware of potentially serious side effects. Dermatologists will most likely be using FDA-approved products -- and are trained to administer them -- which should minimize your potential for bad reactions [source: Doheny].

Dermal fillers typically fall into specific categories: synthetic or natural, absorbable or non-absorbable. The FDA has approved several synthetic fillers that have proven to be effective. Artefill, for example, is a non-absorbable synthetic filler made of microbeads floating in bovine collagen. Because your body can't absorb or metabolize it, Artefill -- formerly known as Artecoll -- lasts longer than collagen or fat injections. Experts refer to it as a "permanent" filler for its enduring results [source: Miller]. The FDA has approved Artefill for use in improving smile lines.

On the other hand, Radiesse -- an absorbable, synthetic filler -- is considered semi-permanent because its effects last only one to two years. How it works is simple: collagen, a protein that gives skin its structure, forms around the microspheres in Radiesse upon injection and firms the skin. The FDA approved this filler for treating wrinkles and folds that are moderate to severe [source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons]. In July 2009, the FDA also approved the use of a combination of Radiesse and the anesthetic lidocaine. This mixture has been shown to provide greater comfort for patients receiving fillers [source: Reuters].

Like Radiesse, Sculptra is a semi-permanent filler that causes the body to form collagen around microspheres [source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons]. However, the FDA has only approved Sculptra for treatment of fat loss in people with HIV [source: FDA].

Read on to find out how the effects of natural fillers differ from those of synthetics.

If you have sensitive skin or often experience allergic reactions, you may want to consider natural dermal fillers instead of synthetics. These fillers use ingredients already found in your body, or very similar to those already inside of you, so they are less likely to react with your skin. FDA-approved natural fillers have either hyaluronic acid or collagen as the major active ingredient [source: FDA].

The protein collagen is found naturally in the human body and helps keep your skin firm, strong and flexible [source: Bernstein]. Collagen loss is a natural part of the aging process, and collagen dermal fillers use human, bovine or porcine collagen to help replace what you've lost. Since collagen fillers are absorbable and only last from two to six months, you'll need repeated injections to maintain these dermal fillers' effects. Some FDA-approved collagen fillers include Zyderm/Zyplast (bovine collagen), Cosmoderm/Cosmoplast (human collagen) and Evolence (porcine collagen) [source: FDA].

Hyaluronic acid also appears naturally in the body. In addition to filling in wrinkles, hyaluronic acid also promotes new collagen growth. These fillers are also absorbable, but last from six months to a year or more [source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons]. Some FDA-approved hyaluronic acid fillers include Restylane, Perlane, Hylaform and Juvederm [source: FDA].

Although the FDA doesn't regulate them, there are other treatments available that use elements produced by your own body as fillers. Plasmagel uses a mix of your blood and Vitamin C [source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons]. Autologen uses collagen that's taken from your body, processed and injected into your face [source: Cleveland Clinic]. You can also have fat harvested from certain areas of your body, like your thighs, and then injected into your face as a filler. One advantage to using fillers from your own body is that you won't have an allergic reaction, but since your body will eventually reabsorb its own blood, collagen and fat, the results may fade over time.

Dermal fillers give you many options to improve facial imperfections without surgery. No matter what kind of dermal filler interests you, make sure you talk to your doctor and thoroughly understand the benefits, side effects and longevity of the treatment you choose.

For more information on dermal fillers, check out the links on the next page.