Types of Fillers

There are many different brands of dermal fillers in the market and it is often difficult to know which fillers are the best.  Some of the most common dermal filler brands are Restylane, Perlane, Juvéderm Ultra, Teosyal, Belotero, Radiesse and Sculptra. All of these dermal fillers offer something different and it will be up to you and your specialist to determine which ones are suitable for you particular needs.  Learn about both temporary and permanent fillers below and visit some of the branded dermal filler pages for more specific information.

Temporary fillers

Most dermal fillers used in the UK today are temporary or resorbable products which last between six and nine months. These types of fillers are considered to be very safe as the product is absorbed by your body over a period of time so any unwanted side effects are not long lasting. They can be used to address a variety of concerns from fine lines and wrinkles to volume loss. They are also the most popular choice of product for lips, to avoid being left with the Lesley Ash ‘trout pout’, that many people undergoing this type of procedure fear. Temporary fillers are made from various kinds of man-made and synthetic materials including collagen, hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite.

Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

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Are the most widely used fillers in the UK and have a very high safety profile. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance, present in every living organism so it is very biocompatible and rarely causes any reactions. It is estimated that 30 million patients around the world have been treated with some form of hyaluronic acid. Products you may have heard about which are made from hyaluronic acid include: Restylane, Perlane, Juvéderm Ultra, Teosyal and Belotero. Hyaluronic acid products can come in different thicknesses or viscosities which make them a versatile choice for treating different areas of the face. A thinner product would be well suited to fine lines and wrinkles or fopr subtle enhancement of the lips whereas a thicker product is ideal for addressing volume loss and very deep wrinkles. They typically last between six and 12 months.

Collagen Fillers

Were the first type of temporary filler used for cosmetic enhancement. Traditionally products were derived from bovine (cow) collagen and required an allergy test before treatment however newer products, such as Evolence, offer the advantages of collagen injections without the need for pre-testing. Derived from porcine (pig) collagen, Evolence is highly biocompatible and utilises a patented technology known as Glymatrix™ to enhance stability and mimic the properties of natural collagen found in the skin, giving results that can last for up to 12 months.

Calcium Hydroxylapatite

Has been safely used in the body for years in medicine and dentistry as well as for cosmetic applications such as cheek, jaw, cranial and chin implants. Calcium Hydroxylapatite is the main component of Radiesse, a longer-lasting temporary dermal filler designed for facial sculpting. Radiesse is used primarily in deep nose to mouth lines but can also be used for nose re-shaping. It is not used in the lips.

Collagen Stimulators

Like Sculptra are an injectable treatment that encourages your own collagen to be formed giving you a similar effect to dermal fillers. Made from poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA), the product cannot only add volume and address lines and wrinkles like traditional fillers, but it also improves skin texture and tone by stimulating new collagen growth. The effects of Sculptra, which include improvements in the overall thickness of the skin and an enhancement of facial volume, can last for up to two years and happen gradually over several months, making the results more subtle – a factor that is drawing increasing interest from women who do not want to look like they have had something ‘done’.

Permanent Fillers

Permanent or non-resorbable fillers are not as widely used as temporary fillers because of their longer-lasting effect. However you may wish to opt for a more permanent solution and in some cases your doctor may recommend it. As with temporary fillers there are a number of permanent fillers used in the UK. The main ones are polymethylmethacrylate such as Artecoll or Artefill and polyacrylamide (Aquamid). Polymethylmethacrylate is made from a mixture of tiny plastic (methylmethacrylate) beads and bovine collagen. The mixture is injected underneath the skin, and the plastic beads become encapsulated in scar tissue. The collagen holds the plastic beads in place, which can then last for months or years after the collagen has dispersed. Aquamid implants are 97 per cent water and are composed of a highly polymerised polyacrylamide gel, which integrates naturally with the body’s own tissue to create instant facial volume. If you opt for a permanent filler make sure you go to someone who is very experienced with using the product they are injecting as most complications occur as a result of the product being injected incorrectly. It is also advisable to try out treatment with a temporary product first to make sure you are happy with the result as if you are not there is no going back once you have had a permanent product injected.

Learn about some of the general dermal fillers side effects, view some of the dermal fillers before and after photos and reviews and talk to one of our cosmetic dermal filler clinics today to book your consulation.