Facial dermal fillers are gel-like substances that, when injected beneath the skin, replace lost volume to plump up wrinkles, soften lines, and enhance facial contours.

As you age, your face naturally loses volume. Volume loss is one of the biggest contributors to an aged appearance. Facial contouring fillers provide immediate and noticeable rejuvenating improvements without surgery or downtime.

Are you interested in facial filler injections but unsure which one is the right choice for you? We can help you find the answers with this quick guide to facial fillers.

There are a variety of FDA-approved fillers for facial contouring that vary in density, stiffness, duration, injection depth, and the facial concerns they address. Below are the most common types of facial fillers for skin rejuvenation:

Hyaluronic Acid (HA)

Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are the most popular type of facial fillers. HA is a substance the body naturally produces that is associated with increasing moisture, supporting collagen, and providing elasticity to the skin. With age, your body produces less HA. These fillers work to restore a more youthful appearance by filling out lines, wrinkles, and folds.

FDA-approved HA fillers include:

• Juvéderm products: Juvéderm Ultra, Juvéderm Ultra Plus, Voluma, Volbella, Vollure
• Restylane products: Restylane, Restylane Silk, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Refyne, Restylane
• Defyne, Restylane Kysse, Restylane Contour
• Belotero Balance

Common treatment areas/conditions:

• Tear troughs
• Cheek volume
• Nasolabial folds
• Marionette lines
• Lips
• Upper lip lines

Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA)

Like HA fillers, Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) is also a naturally occurring substance in the body, found mostly in your bones and teeth. In these fillers, calcium-based particles are suspended in a smooth gel. Calcium Hydroxylapatite stimulates natural collagen production, leading to long-lasting corrections and natural improvement. Radiesse is an example of CaHA filler.

Common treatment areas/conditions:

• Marionette lines
• Smile lines
• Corners of mouth
• Chin wrinkles
• Pre-jowl folds

Poly-L-Lactic Acid

Poly-L-Lactic Acid is a biocompatible synthetic facial filler that functions as a collagen stimulator. The filler itself mostly dissipates just a few days after being injected, but its main purpose is to trigger the body to produce its own collagen, naturally rebuilding the skin to smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Improvements appear gradually over a period of a few months.

Poly-L-lactic acid fillers are typically used to treat deep facial wrinkles and restore facial volume. Sculptra is one type of Poly-L-lactic acid filler.

Common treatment areas/conditions:

• Deep nasolabial folds
• Chin wrinkles
• Marionette lines
• Hollow temples
• Hollow cheeks

As mentioned above, not all facial fillers are created equal. Because they have unique formulations, the top wrinkle fillers used by dermatologists differ in longevity and will have their own associated risks and side effects.

Hyaluronic Acid
Results: 6-12 months
Side effects/Risks: pain, redness, itching, swelling, and bruising

Calcium Hydroxylapatite
Results: Up to two years
Side effects/Risks: bruising, redness, swelling, pain, itching, nodules or bumps/lumps, loss of sensation

Poly-L-Lactic Acid
Results: Up to two years
Side effects/Risks: tenderness or discomfort, redness, bruising, swelling, small bumps under the skin in the treated area

Fillers are priced on a per syringe basis. Most patients will require multiple syringes to achieve their desired results.

Other factors affecting the cost include the geographic location of the practice, time involved in performing the procedure, and the expertise and qualifications of the provider.

Although finding cheap wrinkle fillers near Philadelphia may sound enticing, they are best avoided. The low cost is typically a reflection of poor-quality ingredients or an unskilled practitioner that will only prevent you from achieving safe and beautiful results. In the worst-case scenario, you may even encounter unnecessary side effects and complications, requiring more costly treatments to fix.

Always go for quality. FDA-approved dermal fillers containing high-quality ingredients and administered by skilled and experienced physicians with a thorough understanding of facial anatomy will ensure safety and the best possible outcome.

During your consultation, a dermatologist will examine your face and discuss with you your aesthetic goals and the specific concerns you’d like to address.

They may use a marker to indicate where the facial filler areas will be or take photographs of your face. Your provider will then recommend the type of filler or fillers to be used and discuss with you what the dermal filler treatment entails, including possible side effects and downtime.

You will need to fully disclose your medical history before your treatment. There are medications and health conditions that can increase the risk of complications after getting a filler treatment. Be sure to inform your provider if you have:

• Allergies
• History of bruising or bleeding
• Neurologic conditions
• Skin conditions

Whether looking for dermal fillers for cheeks, mouth wrinkle fillers, or dermal lip fillers near you, choosing the right facial filler for your specific concerns is essential to achieving beautiful results. For the best answers, always turn to the experts.

Our board-certified dermatologists at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of Pennsylvania can assess your skin and recommend the best fillers for you. They also perform all our treatments, including facial filler injections. Whenever you come to us for a treatment, you can be confident that you’ll leave our office looking refreshed and rejuvenated with beautiful, natural-looking results and minimal recovery time.

Our 8,000+ sq. ft. facility is home to a broad range of injectables, laser technology, and other minimally invasive aesthetic treatments to rejuvenate your appearance. Contact us today at our Devon office on the Main Line in the Philadelphia area to learn more about the pros and cons of dermal fillers or to schedule an appointment.