Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally-occurring substance found in the body. It helps your cells retain moisture, making your skin appear hydrated, plump, and healthy.

Other benefits of Hyaluronic Acid:

• When your skin is hydrated, it appears more radiant and is pillow soft.

• Hydration can cause lines and wrinkles to appear diminished, making skin more youthful in appearance.

• Hyaluronic Acid is great for any skin type, including those with sensitive or acne-prone skin.

• Hyaluronic Acid has antioxidant properties acting as a shield against pollution and other free radicals we can’t control.

• Hyaluronic Acid fillers are usually soft and gel-like. Results are temporary lasting from six to 12 months. Most Hyaluronic Acid fillers have lidocaine (a numbing agent) in them to help minimize discomfort during and after treatment.

FDA approved Hyaluronic Acid fillers include:

• Restylane products: Restylane, Restylane Silk, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Refyne, and Restylane Defyne

• Belotero Balance

• Juvéderm products: Juvéderm XC, VOLUMA, VOLBELLA, VOLLURE

Calcium Hydroxylapatite

Calcium Hydroxylapatite is one of the most well-studied dermal fillers worldwide and has been substantially used for the correction of moderate-to-severe facial lines and folds as well as lost volume due to aging.

It is a naturally occurring substance found in our bones. These types of fillers are also soft and gel-like. The consistency is thicker than Hyaluronic Acid fillers, meaning Calcium Hydroxylapatite fillers will last longer than Hyaluronic Acid fillers. Typically, they last 12 months.

Calcium Hydroxylapatite also helps stimulate natural collagen production, a naturally occurring substance in the skin that provides structure and firmness. Calcium Hydroxylapatite is typically used for deeper lines and wrinkles.

FDA approved CaHA fillers include Radiesse®.

Poly-L-Lactic Acid

Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) is a biocompatible and biodegradable synthetic substance. PLLA products are classified as collagen stimulators. They are used to smooth lines and build volume by helping your skin rebuild natural collagen. The injected product dissolves a few days after treatment but then stimulates the body to gradually produce its own collagen.

The effects of PLLA appear gradually over a few months, producing natural results.

As we grow older, the fat, muscles, bone, and skin in our face begins to thin. The loss of volume leads to a sunken or sagging appearance of the face. Injectable Poly-L-Lactic Acid is used to create structure, framework, and volume to the face.

Poly-L-lactic acid is typically used to treat very deep facial wrinkles as well as to correct volume loss, and results can last 2 years.

FDA approved Poly-L-lactic acid fillers include Sculptra® Aesthetic.

The FDA approved Sculptra Aesthetic in 2009 for improving the appearance of smile and laugh lines as well as other facial wrinkles.

Polymethylmethacrylate

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is a synthetic, biocompatible substance that has been used in medicine for much of the last century. In dermal fillers, PMMA takes the form of a tiny ball that remains beneath the skin indefinitely to provide continued support. PMMA fillers also contain collagen.

PMMA is considered a semi-permanent filler and is most often used to treat medium-to-deep wrinkles, folds and furrows, particularly smile and laugh lines. It can also be used to fill out pitted scars, including acne scars.

When a more permanent solution to facial wrinkles is desired, PMMA is often used instead of Hyaluronic Acid fillers.

FDA approved PMMA fillers include Bellafill®.