Injectable Dermal Fillers are a highly sought after procedure in Ann Arbor, Michigan. But you may be new to injectables and want to understand more about what dermal fillers are, and what they are used for and what the differences are between specific dermal fillers.
How Are Dermal Fillers Used?
Injectable Dermal Fillers are used to smooth lines and wrinkles, to restore volume lost in the face restoring a more youthful contour and light reflection, and to create fuller more defined lips.
Where Can Dermal Fillers be Used?
Dermal Fillers can be used to lift and restore volume and contour to the cheeks. Dermal Fillers can soften the appearance of lines and folds such as the naso-labial folds. They can also soften and improve the appearance of Marionette Lines (lines that run from the corner of the mouth down to the jaw. Dermal Fillers are also used for filling deep acne scars.
What are the different types of Dermal Fillers?
There are two main groups of Dermal Fillers, Hyaluronic Acid Fillers and Collagen Stimulants. The Hyalunronic Acid Fillers are the most commonly used. They are shorter term products in general lasting from 3 months to one year on average. They can be easily reversed.
The Collagen Stimulant group contains Radiesse, Bellafill, and Sculptra Aesthetic. These are substances that are injected to smooth and fill lines and folds, but they also signal your body’s cells to make new collagen in the areas injected. They are longer lasting fillers and are not reversible. Bellafill has FDA approval based upon studies conducted over a 5 year period, showing a high level of satisfaction at the 5 year evaluation amongst those who had the procedure.
Today the most commonly used dermal fillers are made of hyaluronic acid, like Restylane L, and Juvederm Ultra XC. Hyaluronic Acid is a substance our body contains. The hyaluronic acid in dermal fillers is synthesized in a sterile process in the pharmaceutical laboratory. Hyaluronic Acid dermal fillers are differentiated according to their partical size and the type of crosslinking.
Newer generation fillers like Restylane Silk and Juvederm Volbella are made of smaller particles and good for fine lines around the mouth and for adding subtle volume and smoothing to the lips.
Hyaluronc Acid Dermal Fillers with large particles provide increased lift and volume such as Restylane L and Juvederm Voluma.
Another new generation of fillers provide minimal lift, but optimize smoothing and elasticity and are ideal for naso-labial folds, and lines around the mouth and on the cheeks. Restylane Refyne and Restylane Defyne and Juvederm Vollure are in the smooth more elastic category.
HA Filler Properties
Small amount of lift but engineered for elasticity for around the mouth and lines on cheeks.
Restylane Refyne, Restylane Defyne, Juvederm Vollure
Small partical fillers good for lip lines
Restylane Silk, Juvederm Volbella, Belotero
Volume and lift for lines and folds
Restylane L, Juvederm Ultra XC, Juvederm Ultra Plus XC
Fillers with increased lift capacity for cheeks and larger folds
Restylane Lyft, Juvederm Voluma
Many confuse Botox, Botulinum Toxin approved for cosmetic use with dermal fillers. Botulinum Toxin of which there are three brands approved for cosmetic use in the US, Botox, Dysport and Xeomin acts on the muscles that cause specific lines. These lines are commonly referred to as lines of expression. Botulinum Toxin is approved for the upper face, where dermal fillers are used in the lower face, and directly fill by providing volume. Botulinum Toxin, works on muscles, like the forehead muscle to minimize the lines that run across the forehead when you raise your brow. Botulinum Toxin is a shorter duration, lasting 3-4 months on average. It is approved for the Crow’s feet, lines along the side of the eyes when you squint, or smile big, and for the frown (often called 11’s or 1 or 111) in between your brows when you are concentrating hard, or giving a look of disapproval. Botulinum Toxin is not FDA approved for cosmetic use in the lower face or the neck, but is used by some experienced doctors.
Dermal fillers and Botulinum Toxin are commonly used in the same appointment to achieve the goal of a more rested, more refreshed, youthful appearance.