Different Types of Dermal Fillers

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Which One is Right for You?

As we age, our skin loses elasticity and volume, leading to the development of wrinkles, fine lines, and hollow areas. Dermal fillers provide a quick, minimally invasive way to rejuvenate the skin, making it smoother, plumper, and more youthful. They can diminish facial wrinkles and folds such as crow’s feet and frown lines on your face, plump your lips and cheeks, restore lost volume in the lips and cheeks, fill in hollows under or around the eyes or nose, smooth the area between the eyebrows (the vertical nasolabial folds). So there is a wide variety of dermal fillers available to suit your needs.

Each type of dermal filler is formulated differently, with varying strengths, durations, and targeted treatment areas. We’ll explore the different types of dermal fillers, from temporary solutions that gradually dissolve to more long-lasting options. Understanding the benefits and characteristics of each type will help you make an informed decision when choosing the right filler for your facial enhancement goals.

Different Types of Dermal Fillers and Brands

There are several types of fillers used in cosmetic procedures, each with different benefits. Here are the most common different types of dermal fillers and their market-leading brand names:

1. Calcium hydroxylapatite

Brand names include: Radiesse Recently FDA-approved in Thailand but not available at our clinic

Calcium hydroxylapatite filler is a mineral-like compound found naturally in human bones. This calcium hydroxylapatite injection is often used to:

Moderate-to-severe creases such as nasolabial folds, marionette lines and frown lines
Enhance fullness of the cheeks and other facial contours
Improve volume in areas of facial wasting such as can occur in HIV-positive people taking certain medications

Calcium hydroxylapatite is biosynthetically produced, meaning no animal or animal products are used. This lowers your risk of an allergic reaction and no skin testing is required. This type of dermal filler is known to produce a very natural result, doesn’t migrate, and has rare side effects. The calcium hydroxylapatite filler was first used in dentistry and reconstructive surgery and has a long safety record.

Calcium hydroxylapatite fillers like Radiesse are an effective option for treating moderate-to-severe facial wrinkles, boosting facial contours, and restoring lost volume in specific areas. Due to its synthetic production and natural compatibility with the body, it offers a low risk of allergic reactions and side effects. With a long-standing safety record, particularly from its use in dental and reconstructive surgery, this filler provides natural-looking results with minimal concerns about migration.

Please contact Metro Beauty Centers beauty clinic for Dermal Fillers. We are located at the Park Ventures Ecoplex, Phloenchit BTS, exit 2. Working daily from 11:00 to 19:00. Welcome to call +66 831 898 931 for Reservation.

2. Polyalkylimide

Brand names include: Aquamid Not FDA-approved in Thailand

Polyalkylimide is one of the several types of fillers for face treatments. This semi-permanent dermal filler is often used by plastic surgeons to:

Treat deeper wrinkles such as nasolabial folds or depressed scars
Plump thin lips
Enhance cheekbones and the jawline, and to replace facial volume lost due to age
Treat facial wasting from HIV medications

Polyalkylimide has very little reaction with human tissue, meaning it’s biocompatible, and no allergy test is required. It is radio transparent, meaning it won’t interfere with x-rays.

After the injection, a thin layer of collagen slowly forms around it over about a month. The gel is eventually surrounded. A single procedure can inject a large volume. This product, which is thought to be quite stable over time, can even be removed if necessary. These characteristics make polyalkylimide fillers a popular choice among the various types of fillers for face treatments.

Polyalkylimide fillers like Aquamid are a versatile option for addressing deeper wrinkles, enhancing facial contours, and restoring lost volume. Its biocompatibility and minimal reaction with human tissue make it a safe choice for many patients, as no allergy testing is required. The unique ability of collagen to form around the filler over time, along with its stability and potential reversibility, adds to its appeal as a semi-permanent solution.

3. Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres (PMMA)

Brand names include: Bellafill Not FDA-approved in Thailand

PMMA filler, also known as polymethyl-methacrylate, is considered a semi-permanent filler and is most often used to treat medium-to-deep wrinkles, folds, and furrows, particularly nasolabial folds. It can also be used to fill out pitted scars and to augment thin lips.

When a more permanent solution to facial wrinkles is desired, PMMA injections are often used instead of collagen replacement therapy or hyaluronic therapy. PMMA has been used for many years in permanent surgical implants. Because of this, your surgeon will likely under-fill on the first treatment, adding more later if needed.

One of the downsides of PMMA filler is that several injections are needed to create volume and it can take up to three months to realize the full effects. It may also be visible under the skin. To avoid any unwanted results, it’s key that your plastic surgeon is familiar with the proper technique for PMMA injections, which involves injection at the dermal subcutaneous junction using threading or tunneling methods.

PMMA fillers, such as Bellafill, are ideal for those seeking a long-lasting solution to address wrinkles, and scars, or enhance facial volume. Often used for deeper wrinkles and folds, PMMA can provide a more permanent option compared to other fillers like collagen or hyaluronic acid. While it has been successfully utilized in permanent surgical implants, achieving optimal results with PMMA may require multiple sessions. The results can take several months to fully develop, and careful attention to technique is essential to prevent visibility under the skin.

4. Hyaluronic acid

Brand names include: Captique, Esthélis, Elevess, Hylaform, Juvederm, Perfectha, Perlane, Prevelle, Puragen, Restylane. Only type of dermal filler FDA-approved in Thailand and available at our clinic.

Hyaluronic acid injections can be used to improve the skin’s contour and reduce depressions in the skin due to scars, injury or lines. You can see potentially dramatic improvements for:

Acne scars
Cheek depressions
Crow’s feet at the corner of your eyes
Deep smile lines that run from the side of the nose to corners of the mouth (also known as nasolabial furrows)
Frown lines between the eyebrows
Marionette lines at the corners of the mouth
Redefining lip border
Scars including burns, acne and those caused by wounds
Smoker’s lines; vertical lines on the mouth
Some facial scars
Worry lines that run across your forehead

Hyaluronic acid filler is a natural substance found in your body. High concentrations are found in soft connective tissues and the fluid surrounding your eyes. It’s also in some cartilage and joint fluids, as well as skin tissue. It is extracted and reformulated and now has become one of the most popular kinds of injectable fillers. If the term sounds familiar, it’s because the same substance is often injected into the aching joints of people with arthritis to ease pain and provide extra cushioning.

The versatility and effectiveness of hyaluronic acid injection treatments have made them a go-to option for many seeking beauty procedures. The hyaluronic acid filler can provide natural-looking results with minimal downtime, making it a popular choice among patients and practitioners alike.

5. Polylactic acid

Brand names include: Sculptra FDA-approved in Thailand and available at our clinic.

Polylactic acid filler is a synthetic dermal filler that is injected into your face, causing your body’s production of collagen. This type of dermal filler is known as a collagen bio stimulator. This non-toxic, biodegradable substance has been used for more than 40 years as a suture material.

Polylactic acid injection is known to work particularly well in the temples and lower half of your face, and is used to:

Fill the lines caused by laughing
Plump thin lips
Treat deep nasolabial folds

This substance is unlike other dermal fillers because it doesn’t produce immediate results. Instead, the polylactic acid filler stimulates your own body’s collagen production, so results appear gradually over a few months.

You will likely need about three monthly treatments to achieve your desired results. With each treatment, there is re-stimulation of your own collagen. Then it can take four to six weeks to see the full effect. While this type of dermal filler is considered semi-permanent, you may still need occasional touch-ups.

The gradual nature of polylactic acid filler results can be appealing to those who prefer a more subtle, natural-looking enhancement. As the polylactic acid injection works with your body’s processes, the final outcome can appear more organic compared to some other filler types.

How to Choose the Right Dermal Filler

Selecting the right dermal filler depends on various factors, including the specific areas you want to treat, your goals, and how long you want the results to last. Each filler type is formulated differently and works best for certain conditions. Here are some key considerations to help you choose the right dermal filler at an aesthetic clinic:

Treatment Area: Different types of fillers are designed for different parts of the face. Softer fillers like hyaluronic acid are ideal for delicate areas like the lips and under the eyes, while sturdier fillers such as PMMA or calcium hydroxylapatite are more suited for improving the jawline or correcting deeper wrinkles.
Desired Longevity: If you’re looking for a temporary solution, hyaluronic acid fillers are a great option, typically lasting between 6 to 18 months. For more long-lasting effects, options like PMMA or polyalkylimide fillers may provide results for several years.
Volume Loss vs. Fine Lines: If your primary concern is restoring volume to sunken areas of the face, a thicker filler like polyalkylimide may be the right choice. However, for fine lines and wrinkles, a lighter filler like hyaluronic acid injection is often preferred for smoother results.
Skin Sensitivity: If you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies, opt for fillers with a lower risk of allergic reactions, such as Hyaluronic Acid fillers, which don’t require skin testing.
Gradual vs. Immediate Results: Some fillers, like polylactic acid injection, stimulate collagen production and provide gradual results over time. These may appeal to individuals who prefer a more subtle, progressive enhancement. Others, like hyaluronic acid fillers, offer immediate results with minimal downtime.
Consultation with a Professional: Ultimately, the best way to choose the right dermal filler is to consult with an experienced professional. A qualified surgeon or aesthetic specialist will assess your skin, discuss your goals, and recommend the most appropriate filler for your needs.

Summary

Dermal fillers differ in chemical makeup, longevity and have varying degrees of softness. Softer fillers are used in the lips, for example, while sturdier fillers might be desired to enhance cheekbones.

Your surgeon will determine with you the best type and volume of filler needed for your particular areas of concern.

For many people, the use of “off-the-shelf” fillers can be a simple office-based procedure that can nicely enhance their appearance. These dermal fillers are very predictable and have relatively minimal risks and side effects. These fillers are often injected in the surgeon’s office or medical spa.

For those in Bangkok, Metro Beauty Centers offers a wide range of high-quality, FDA-approved dermal fillers, tailored to suit individual needs. With a team of experienced professionals and a selection of the best products from trusted brands like Juvederm, Restylane, and Sculptra, Metro Beauty Centers ensures that you receive safe, effective, and personalized care to restore your youthful glow. Get your youthful glow back with dermal fillers. Contact us for consultation!