Dr. Win Pound - What are injectable fillers?

WHAT ARE INJECTABLE FILLERS?

Injectable fillers are substances that enhance the fullness of soft tissues, primarily in the face. Injectable fillers can also be used alone or in combination with other procedures such as wrinkle reduction by injection (BOTOX^®) to enhance facial appearance, or to refine the results of surgical rejuvenation. Some fillers are based on natural substances derived from the human body; others are synthetic, biocompatible compounds. The differences among facial fillers are not only in their composition, but also in their preferred application and the duration of their results.

Collagen is a natural protein that comprises the supportive structure of skin. Injectable collagen formulas, derived from the human dermis, are used to enhance lips, smooth wrinkles or raise recessed scars. There are also formulations of bovine collagen that, unlike human-derived collagen, require prior allergy testing. The results of treatment with injectable collagen will begin to diminish within three to four months.

Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in our bodies. Synthetically derived, hyaluronic acid is a non-particle gel with formulations of varying densities. Fine, medium and more dense formulations appropriately treat the range from fine wrinkles and more delicate skin to deeper wrinkles and more dense tissue. Hyaluronic acid is well suited to fill facial creases and restore lost volume in the midface, and can be used to plump the lips.
Because is is colorless, hyaluronic acid is suitable for fair to dark complexions. The improvement achieved from hyaluronic acids will begin to diminish within six to 12 months after treatment.

Particle-based fillers, also called semi-permanent fillers, are the heaviest of facial fillers and are recommended to fill deeper creases, to enhance facial fullness, or to correct lipoatrophy (the loss of facial fat). The improvement achieved with semi-permanent fillers will last one year or more after treatment.

Calcium Hydroxylapatite is a mineral-like compound found naturally in human bones, suspended in a gel-like formulation.
Poly L-lactic acid is a synthetic biocompatible and biodegradable material commonly used in absorbable sutures. As a filler it is diluted in fluid and injected in one or more treatments.
Microscopic synthetic spheres (polymethylmethacrylate) are suspended in collagen solution and can be injected for correction of facial folds.

You should know that semi-permanent and permanent fillers are not recommended for areas of high movement, such as the lips, or in areas where the tissues are thinner, such as the eye region.

Human fat, taken from your own body can also be used as an injectable filler. Prior to injection, fat must be "harvested" or extracted from your tummy, thighs or buttocks using liposuction techniques.

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