“A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.” — Coco Chanel

We’re back pn the discussion of fillers, let’s look at the types.

THE type of dermal filler chosen will ultimately depend on the results you wish to achieve. To make sure the right filler is chosen for your treatment, your issues that you want to reverse should be discussed in advance and in detail. Because though fillers all have hyaluronic acid, some have additional qualities which impact their suitability for injection in certain areas.

Also, all fillers are not created equally, and differ in terms of price. Some of the price difference may be attributed to how long the fillers last. It is also important to ensure the clinician is only using Food and Drug Administration-approved products and is properly trained to apply them. This will not only give you peace of mind, but minimises any potential risk of side effects.

MOST DERMAL FILLERS ARE TEMPORARY

The majority of dermal fillers are temporary and last around six to nine months. Some of the newer, more expensive ones will last one to two years.

The temporary fillers are suitable to treat fine lines, volume loss and wrinkles, and they are also a popular choice of treatment for improving the lips. Temporary fillers may have synthetic additions to the hyaluronic acid, which is natural. Synthetic materials include poly-l-lactic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite.

Repeated injections may help stimulate the body’s own natural production of collagen. That will help reduce the number of lines and wrinkles. There is also some evidence that less filler is needed over time to achieve the same look.

HYALURONIC ACID FILLERS

Hyaluronic acid fillers are widely used as they have a well-established history of safety and reliability. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance which can be found in every living organism. As a result, it is biocompatible and side effects are very rare.

Around 30 million individuals have benefited from treatment with hyaluronic acid fillers. Products which use hyaluronic acid include Perlane, Restylane, Belotero, Radiesse, and Juvéderm.

Hyaluronic acid fillers come in varying levels of thickness and so they are a flexible option to improve different sections of the face. Thinner fillers are more suitable for wrinkles and fine lines, or enrichment of the lips, while thicker fillers are able to address very deep wrinkles and volume loss, lasting between six and 12 months.

RADIESSE

Calcium hydroxylapatite has maintained a safe standard of treatment in the cosmetic industry for many years and is the main addition to the hyaluronic acid in Radiesse. This is a temporary but longer-lasting type of dermal filler, which works wonders for facial sculpting.

It has a lot of volume, and therefore it is used in deep nose to mouth lines, though it also works for reshaping of the nose. It is never to be applied to the lips.

SCULPTRA

Collagen stimulators are injectable and encourage the body’s own collagen to form and provide beneficial effects. The product is composed from poly-l-lactic acid and can address lines and wrinkles, add volume, and improve skin texture. Such products include Sculptra and can improve skin thickness and last for around two years, with the results gradually improving over several months for subtle improvement. This is an excellent choice of filler if you do not want to show obvious signs that you have had treatment.

PERMANENT FILLERS

Permanent fillers are not used as much as temporary ones due to the fact that they can last for more than 10 years. However, if you would rather have longer-lasting effects then they are the way to go.

Patients are advised to choose an experienced clinician to ensure the correct application of such long-lasting fillers, as complications usually result from sub-standard treatment and are less likely to occur in the hands of an experienced professional.

It might also be best to try a temporary product before taking the step and choosing one that is permanent. This is so you can get an idea of what kind of results fillers can provide and then choose whether you want longer-lasting results. Though permanent fillers will last much longer, you will have to live with the results for some time, while temporary fillers will wear off in due time, and you can decide whether or not to renew your injections.

So remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that beholder is you.

Dr Simone Van-Horne is a consultant in internal medicine. Currently, she is a hospitalist, where she does inpatient-hospital medicine in Florida and sees patients in a medical spa setting at Metamorphosis Medispa Wellness Center Inc in Hollywood, Florida, and at The Face Place Ja at 3 Carvalho Rd, Kingston, and The Skin Bar, #16 Freeport Shopping Centre, Montego Bay. Contact info@spamorph.com and www.spamorph.com for questions.