About Dermal Fillers.
What are injectable dermal fillers?
Injectable dermal fillers are injectable gels made from naturally-occurring substances, including collagen and hyaluronic acid. Dermal fillers are injected just under the skin in order to add volume to aging skin, lips and to fill and lift wrinkles and folds. Dermal fillers add volume for a more natural youthful appearance.
The majority of dermal fillers contain hyaluronic acid as their main active ingredient. Hyaluronic acid based dermal fillers include Restylane and Juvederm. Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of the skin. The hyaluronic acid is a crystal-clear gel called NASHA, or Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid. Hyaluronic acid is hydrophilic, or "water-loving." This allows it to bind to water to provide long-lasting results.
Injectable dermal fillers are used to fill wrinkles, lines, folds, and scars (eg. acne scars). Dermal fillers are also commonly used to give a fuller appearance to the lips.
The most common areas treated with injectable dermal fillers are the smile lines around the nose and mouth, fine lines above the mouth, frown lines between the eyes, and acne scars.
What Types Of Dermal Fillers Are Available?
Collagen: Originally, dermal fillers were all made of collagen derived from cows. This is referred to as bovine collagen.
Collagen is nature’s most abundant protein polymer. Collagen acts as a scaffolding for our bodies. It controls cell shape and cell differentiation. Collagen is the fibrous protein constituent of skin, cartilage, bone, and other connective tissue. It is the substance that fills the spaces between the cells of the body.
Collagen dermal fillers are not used as often now because of its potential to cause allergic reactions. Skin tests are preformed before treatment with bovine collagen dermal fillers to check for allergic sensitivity.
Today, collagen dermal fillers use human collagen. Cosmoderm, Cosmoplast, Zyderm and Zyplast are examples of human collagen-based dermal fillers still in use today.
Hyaluronic acid: (Restylane, Restylane Fine Lines, Perlane, Juvederm, Juvederm Plus,) The synthetic hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are the most common fillers in use today. If you see the term NASHA, this stands for Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid. The first hyaluronic acid products were made from rooster comb extracts. In fact, one product Hylaform is still made from rooster combs. The hyaluronic acid products used today are made by genetically copying human hyaluronic acid.
Poly-L-lactic Acid: (Sculptra) Sculptra is derived from fruit acids. It is a biocompatible and biodegradable injectable material known as poly-L-lactic acid that naturally stimulates the body to produce its own collagen.
Calcium Hydroxylapatite: (Radiesse) this product contains calcium hyroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres. Calcium hydroxylapatite is one of the primary mineral substances of bone. No allergy testing is required. Over a period of weeks following injection your body encapsulates the microspheres with collagen, giving a filling effect. Because the calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres persist for 2-3 years, collagen production is continuous. This product provides the longest duration of all the temporary
Pricing
Once considered a luxury item only for those who had a high disposable income, dermal fillers are very affordable even for those with modest incomes. Call us at 613-235-9549 for more information.