As we age, the fat, muscles, bone, and skin in our face begin to thin, often leading to a sunken or sagging appearance. Dermal fillers have gained popularity for their ability to quickly and easily restore this lost volume without downtime. In fact, nearly 2,677,000 dermal filler injections were performed in 2018 alone.
If you have ever been curious about dermal fillers, including their composition, uses, and the various brands available, this post is for you.
Dermal fillers, also called facial fillers, are gel-like substances that are injected under the skin to restore lost volume, improve static lines and wrinkles (those visible when the face is at rest), and lift sagging tissues. In addition to rejuvenating the skin, dermal fillers are commonly used to accentuate certain facial features, like the cheekbones and jawline; augment the buttocks and lips; rejuvenate the hands; and correct a cosmetic nasal deformity (a treatment known as non-surgical rhinoplasty).
Dermal fillers are gel-like substances that are injected under the skin to restore lost volume, improve lines and wrinkles, and lift sagging tissues.
On average, dermal fillers remain beneath the skin for approximately 6-12 months, depending on their ingredients and how they were formulated. Learn more about how long individual types of filler last below.
While dermal fillers all provide volume, lift sagging tissues, and increase collagen, they differ slightly in their mechanism of action and how they are formulated. Additionally, some fillers are composed of naturally occurring substances while others are synthetic. Here is a list of the most popular dermal fillers organized by their primary active ingredient:
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a gel-like substance that naturally occurs in the body and helps keep our skin looking plump, hydrated, and youthful. Most hyaluronic acid fillers last for 6-12 months before naturally integrating into the body. The following brands of dermal fillers all utilize hyaluronic acid to enhance different parts of the face and body:
Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) is a mineral-like compound found naturally in our bones. Calcium hydroxylapatite filler is thicker than hyaluronic acid fillers and typically lasts around 12 months for most patients.
Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is a synthetic filler. Instead of sitting beneath the skin like other fillers, poly-L-lactic acid stimulates your body to produce its own collagen, meaning that final results will develop gradually over the course of 4-8 weeks and last for about 2-3 years.
Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is a synthetic, biocompatible substance that has been used in reconstructive surgery for decades. As a filler, polymethylmethacrylate is recommended when a more permanent solution to facial wrinkles is desired, as results can last indefinitely.
Also referred to as fat grafting or fat transfer, autologous fat injections are an alternative to dermal fillers for those who desire a natural, long-lasting filler. During this procedure, fat is harvested from the hips, buttocks, or stomach via liposuction, then purified and injected into the face to help restore volume and contours. Fat injection can also be used to augment the breasts, hands, lips, and buttocks (a.k.a Brazilian butt lift surgery). Results can last for many years as long as a stable body weight is maintained.
On average, hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane and Juvéderm typically cost about $550-$850 per syringe. Radiesse is about $550-750 per syringe and Sculptra comes in at approximately $900 per vial (most patients require 2-3 vials per session), while Bellafill costs around $1,000 per syringe. While dermal fillers can vary in cost based on your provider and locale, note that pricing that is too far below average is a red flag: your safety or results could be compromised.
To help ensure optimal results and safety during your dermal filler treatment, be sure to always choose a board-certified facial cosmetic surgeon or a trained medical injector working under their supervision. He or she will utilize the most advanced injection techniques, and exclusively use authentic FDA-approved, brand-name fillers. To locate a facial cosmetic surgeon near you and get a quote on dermal filler treatment, use our Find A Surgeon tool.