Different Types of Dermal Fillers

Here is a quick look at different types of dermal fillers:

Botulinum toxin

This is the famous botox brand name. The other new brand is Dysport.

Botox injection contains botulinum toxin type A, which is a toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin type A is a bacterial toxin that prevents nerves from functioning normally (a neurotoxin). It prevents nerves from releasing a chemical called acetylcholine, which is essential for the nerves to communicate with muscle cells. This toxin therefore prevents muscles from receiving nerve stimulation.

Preventing nerve stimulation of muscles causes the muscles to become paralysed. Botulinum toxin type A causes muscle paralysis until such time as the nerve develops new endings to communicate with the muscles. It is useful for treating conditions where excessive nerve stimulation to muscles is causing abnormal muscle functioning, contractions or spasms. It is injected into the muscle for this purpose.

Hyaluronic acid

Brands like Restylane, Perlane, Juvéderm Ultra, Teosyal and Belotero are made using Hyaluronic acid. Hayaluronic acid, made of complex sugars natural to the body, retains water like a sponge, absorbing more than 1,000 times its weight and plumping skin in the process. Numerous companies offer this kind of filler, including Prevelle, Restylane and Perlane. New combinations with lidocaine, including Juvéderm XC and Hydrelle, reduce pain during injection. Each treatment costs about $600 to $800; the first one usually lasts four to six months, while subsequent treatments can last as long as a year.

Collagen fillers

Collagen fillers have been the first type that was used for cosmetic enhancement. It generally derives from bovine collagen and requires an allergy test before used for treatment. Recently they started to use porcine Collagen, which is well known by its brand name Evolence. This filler does not need a pre-testing before treatment. The benefit of using this product is that it enhances the stability and mimics the properties of natural collagen. Results generally last up to 12 months. Stimulators however are made from poly-l-lactic acid, as it adds volume and reduces wrinkles and line these stimulators would improve your skin texture and tone. It literally stimulates new collagen growth in your skin.

Blood-based

This filler, which goes by the brand name Sephyl, uses the patient’s own blood as a filler by centrifuging the blood to collect fibrin (a protein that helps blood clot) and platelets, which are subsequently injected back into the body to stimulate collagen growth. The filler was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in October 2009 for use on frown lines between the brows, laugh lines, acne and post-op scars and costs $1,100 per treatment.

Calcium-based

Radiesse, composed of calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres, adds volume to wrinkles and folds, and also stimulates collagen production to help restore fullness to the face. The treatment costs from $600 to $1,500 per treatment.

Permanent

The two most common permanent fillers are Artefill and silicon. A microdroplet technique is used to inject silicon into the skin. The procedure is not approved by the FDA for aesthetic use and is controversial. Artefill, on the other hand, is composed of collagen and poly (methyl) methacrylate, or PMMA, microspheres. The collagen is partially reabsorbed into the body while the microspheres are left behind. Artefill is FDA-approved for use on the nasolabial folds, also known as laugh lines, and costs $500 to $700 per injection.

Poly-L-lactic acid

Sculptra was initially approved in 2004 for patients with facial wasting as a result of HIV. The synthetic filler was approved for aesthetic use in 2009. The same compound as in resorbable stitches, poly-L-lactic acid is biocompatible and biodegradable, and it helps replace lost collagen in the treatment area. The price ranges from $300 to $500 per cc, and it usually requires one to two cc’s per treatment.

Stem cell

Extracted stem cells from fatty tissue are injected into the face and produce new blood vessels, collagen and nutrients using a chemical language to communicate with their surroundings. “This process restores youthful volume and lifts sagging skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nathan Newman.

Resource:

The Complete Guide to Dermal Filler Injections

Cosmetic and Clinical Applications of Botox and Dermal Fillers

Miladys Aesthetician Series: Botox, Dysport, Dermal Fillers and Sclerotherapy