Our last blog post talked about some of the different dermal fillers that are available for cosmetic use. These injectable treatments help with common aging concerns such as fine lines and wrinkles and loss of fullness/firmness in facial skin. Last time, we discussed the difference between dermal filler and injectables such as Botox.
As we discussed in the last post, dermal fillers are not intramuscular treatments that freeze facial muscle and prevent the contractions that lead to lines, wrinkles, and creases. Dermal Fillers are injected beneath the skin’s surface and into the layers of the dermis, where they work to actually “fill” places where patients need or want more volume and a fuller, firmer appearance. This filling is what helps the appearance of lines and wrinkles to give you a more youthful appearance.
One of the newest dermal fillers is Belotero. This filler has been making an excellent name for itself due to the very natural-looking results it provides and how versatile it is in what it treats. It is FDA-approved to temporarily smooth out lines and wrinkles, to fill in moderate to severe nasolabial folds or marionette lines around the mouth, and also to generally plump the facial tissues. The process that is used to create Belotero is where the difference comes in — it is created in such a way that it is smoother and more natural feeling, which makes it far more effective at smoothing, not just severe lines and folds but also the more superficial ones — such as those small lines around your lips. Treatment with this injectable offers particularly good results in plumping and filling effects.
Radiesse is the heaviest of the dermal fillers. It is not an HA filler. Radiesse is a calcium hydroxylapatite filler. This substance is found in the human body, mostly in the bones; it is a heavy material, much like a mineral. The calcium hydroxylapatite in Radiesse is entirely biosynthetic and contains no animal products at all. That means a significant decrease in the risk of allergens for anyone who may be sensitive to animal-derived ingredients.
Radiesse produces very natural-looking results, doesn’t migrate, and has along the lowest potential side effects. But because it is the heaviest of the dermal fillers, it isn’t good for everything. Specific uses for Radiesse are filling deeper wrinkles, such as “marionette lines” or nasolabial folds, and also to make cheeks and other facial contours appear fuller and more round. Also unlike other dermal fillers, Radiesse is considered to be a semi-permanent solution. Results appear immediately and last a year or even longer. Some studies have reported results that last up to 18 months before repeated treatments are needed.
To determine which of these fillers is best for your individual needs and concerns, call our office to schedule a consultation appointment. Our plastic surgery professionals are here to answer your questions and help figure out what the right injectable — or any other treatment or procedure — is for the results you want.