What are filler injections?

The filler injections are most useful for reducing fine line (rhytides) and smoothing out prominent folds (nasolabial folds). They may also be used to increase fullness of facial areas including the jowls, and midcheek regions. The most popular dermal fillers include Hyaluronic acids including Juvaderm and Radiesse. Collagen has been used for years (Zyderm and Zyplast) to smooth out wrinkles around the mouth, eyes, and the folds between the brows. Combined with Botox therapy, the dermal fillers lead to excellent results and are less invasive than facelifts and necklift procedures. Autologous fat grafting is useful for facial enhancement and wrinkle reduction.

Filler injections are a cosmetic treatment used to smooth wrinkles or pitted scars in the skin, usually on the face. They are also used to make the lips fuller. When injected under the skin, a filler raises or puffs up that area. This usually goes away over time. There are many kinds of injectable fillers, including:

• Hyaluronic acid (Restylane, Juvederm, Captique). The hyaluronic acid draws fluid to the treated area.
• Bovine collagen (Zyplast, Zyderm). You need an allergy test 4 weeks before treatment
• Human collagen from human tissue (Cymetra).
• Fat cells harvested from your body (autologous fat).
• Man-made biodegradable polymer (Sculptra).
• Calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse).
• Microscopic plastic beads and bovine collagen (Artefill). The plastic beads are made of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The collagen goes away over time, but the plastic beads remain under the skin permanently.

Some doctors use fillers that are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Check with your doctor when deciding which treatment is right for you.

For some fillers, your skin is first numbed with a local anesthetic. Then a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist uses a needle to inject the filler under the skin. A treatment session takes about 15 minutes. Some fillers are done in repeat sessions a couple of weeks apart.