Dermal Fillers Everything You Need To Know
Written by Kerry Benjamin
Thanks to amazing dermatological advancements, there are now nearly pain-free ways to keep your skin looking youthful without going under the knife. One of these advancements is dermal fillers—natural or synthetic materials that are injected under the skin’s surface to plump wrinkles and create a firmer looking complexion. Fillers can range from temporary to semi-permanent to permanent, with results lasting from six months to five years. While fillers are injected in much the same way that Botox is, they are not the same thing. Botox is a chemical that paralyzes the muscle movement that causes wrinkles; it doesn’t have the plumping effect of fillers.We’ve rounded up the most popular dermal fillers currently available with their recommended uses. Read on for the full scoop!
Juvederm
Juvederm is a filler designed to add subtle plumpness to facial tissue. It’s commonly used to plump wrinkles, especially crow’s feet and nasolabial folds (smile lines.) It is also commonly used as a lip plumper. It is composed of mostly hyaluronic acid (a naturally-occurring substance that your body actually produces), and is absorbed into the body after 6-12 months. The benefit of this is that the results are temporary; if you don’t like what you see in the mirror, your skin will go back to its original state in just a matter of months. The downside? To maintain results, you have to undergo multiple injections per year.
Restylane
Restylane is very similar to Juvederm. It is also comprised of mostly hyaluronic acid and its results also last only 6-12 months. The difference between the two is not significant. Juvederm contains slightly higher concentration of hyaluronic acid. Chances are, your dermatologist will have a preference between the two.
Sculptra
Unlike Juvederm and Restylane, Sculptra is composed of poly-L-lactic acid, a synthetic but biocompatible (safe for your body) compound. Sculptra actually helps restore depleted collagen within your skin. Its results last considerably longer than hyaluronic acid fillers—up to 2 years. However, it usually takes multiple treatments to see results as the filler works gradually to plump and boost collagen. Dermatologists commonly use Sculptra in areas of the face with deep folds, including smile lines, deep lines at the sides of the mouth, and chin folds.
Restylane Silk
Like its partner product, Restylane, Restylane Silk is a hyaluronic acid injection. It was developed specifically to plump lips and wrinkles around the mouth. It contains smaller particles than standard Restylane and is loaded into a syringe with a very small needle for improved accuracy during injection.
Belotero
Much like Restylne and Juvederm, Belotero is a hyaluronic acid filler. The main difference is that Belotero can be used for surface wrinkles and superficial lines that are close to the surface of the skin. That means that it can be injected more shallowly than the other hyaluronic fillers, which can cause a bluish cast to the skin called the Tyndall Effect if injected too close to the surface of the skin. Belotero also claims to last longer than the other HA fillers—up to 12 months.
If you’re thinking about using dermal fillers, talk to your dermatologist about the right type for you. You might want to start with a temporary hyaluronic acid filler first to see if you like the results. If you’re not ready to go under the needle or want to make your filler last longer, try my HA Hydrating Serum paired with my MicroNeedling Tool 2.0 to draw moisture into the skin and visibly boost firmness. My HA Hydrating Serum is loaded with hyaluronic acid to increase skin plumpness. When used with my Collagen-Boosting MicroNeedling Tool, it absorbs nearly 90% better than when used alone. And remember—the first defense against aging is proper prevention. Take care of your skin and stay out of the sun to maintain a plump, youthful complexion for as long as possible.
About the Author
Kerry Benjamin, a licensed aesthetician, has over 12 years of experience. Kerry is the driving force behind StackedSkincare. As the company's CEO, Kerry has dedicated her career to revolutionizing skincare. Her innovative approach combines peels, serums, and specialized tools toeffectively address a wide range of skin concerns. CA LE license number Z98459.