We wouldn’t be surprised if you knew someone who talked recently about getting filler work done. And we wouldn’t be surprised if you knew people who had filler work done, without even realizing they’d “had work done.” In 2017 alone, there were over 2.5 million soft tissue filler procedures in the United States alone, a 3% jump from 2016. And here is the interesting thing: the filler forecast only calls for more. For example, Medispas in the USA are a $4 billion dollar industry, and they’re expected to grow 8% annually – there are more fillers for sale than ever before.
Despite the popularity of fillers, there’s still some confusion surrounding them. For instance, what are dermal fillers even made from? Does it stay under your skin forever? Where can you inject it for aesthetic benefit? And how much do dermal fillers cost? In this article, we’ll explore these questions and more.
What is Filler?
The majority of fillers – including two of the most popular brands, Juvederm and Restylane – are formulations based on hyaluronic acid, which is a gel-like substance that’s naturally found in the body.
What Are Fillers Made Of?
There are many different hyaluronic acid fillers available, and different products are best suited for different locations of the face. For example, a thicker filler such as Juvederm Voluma is ideal for the cheekbone area, while a thinner filler like Restylane Silk is great for natural-looking lip enhancement. Also, medium viscosity fillers are ideal for nasolabial folds (the lines from the side of the nose to the outer corners of lips) and for marionette lines (those lines that run from the corner of the lips vertically down the chin).
The difference between these products is their molecular weight, and how the hyaluronic acid molecules are cross-linked. The tighter the cross-linking,” the higher the percentage of molecules and therefore, the “thicker” the gel. A reputable and trained injector will know exactly what type of filler to place and where, for best and safest results.
Other Types of Dermal Fillers for Sale
While hyaluronic acid-based fillers are the most common types, there are a couple of other formulations in wide use:
Radiesse
Radiesse is made from a substance called calcium hydroxylapatite, which is a mineral-like compound naturally found in human bones, synthetically created for this formulation. Radiesse can address immediate volume depletion and will stimulate collagen production in the injection area.
Sculptra
Sculptra is made of poly-L-lactic acid, a synthetic, non-toxic, fully biodegradable substance. Sculptra is unique because it stimulates the body’s own production of collagen. For that reason, this type of dermal filler is also known as a stimulator. Accordingly, Sculptra is unlike other fillers in that it does not produce immediate results. Instead, it stimulates your own body’s production of collagen, so results appear gradually over a period of a few months. This makes the results very natural looking and longer-lasting – making Sculptra a great option.
Where Can You Inject Filler?
Filler is primarily used to smooth wrinkles around the mouth, eyes, eye brows, to lift and enhance cheeks, to plump lips, and to reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds. It can also be used to smooth chin wrinkles, rejuvenate hands, and even remediate deep acne scars.
Is Filler Going to Give Me an Instant Boost?
The visual effect of fillers can be seen immediately (except for Sculptra, as noted above).
How Long Do Fillers Last?
How long filler lasts depends on what type you’re getting and where it’s being injected, but in general, you can expect it to last anywhere from six months to two years.
Radiesse provides instant results and also stimulates collagen production in the months following injection, so results last for quite a while. Juvederm Voluma, with its’ special cross-linking properties, can last up to two years. Note that lip fillers typically last six or so months on average, and products such as Juvederm Volbella and Restylane Silk last about six to nine months in when treating fine lines.
Two additional factors that affect how long the filler will last, is how frequently the injected area moves with regular daily activity, and your body’s unique metabolism. For instance, your mouth moves very frequently so the filler doesn’t last as long here compared to other areas. And also, your body may absorb the filler more slowly or more quickly compared to other people, just based on everyone’s slightly different metabolism.