Filler injections account for more and more out of total cosmetic procedures. Just like botox, dermal filler injections have a temporary effect, but they’re quite versatile. While lip filler injections are aimed at giving you plump limps, more facial injectable fillers are designed to smooth out wrinkles.
Discover the pros and cons of injectable fillers, from the most common types, like hyaluronic acid fillers to synthetic injectable fillers for the face and autologous fat transfer (injections of your own fat, obtained through liposuction).
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers Including Juvéderm’s Allergan
If you’re interested in the pros and cons of injectable fillers, the best place to start is the most common type of fillers.
Using hyaluronic acid, these fillers are distributed under many brand names, including Allergan and Restylane.
These fillers are considered natural, even though they’re produced in a synthetic manner, since the end results is very similar to the hyaluronic acid produced by the human body. Useful for everything from lip filler injections to wrinkle filler injections, they usually have different formulas depending on the area you plan on injecting.
When you opt for hyaluronic acid, one of the biggest pros of injectable fillers is that you can see results instantly and you can also reverse them if you’re not satisfied with the results. Whether you’re using Restylane, Juvéderm or other brands of facial injectable fillers, you should expect results to last 5-6 months for your lips and 12-16 months on other areas.
Calcium Hydroxylapatite Fillers Including Radiesse
Another popular type of injectable fillers, Radiesse uses calcium crystals instead of hyaluronic acid. These dermal filler injections have a double effect. They help with plumpness directly, right after being injected, and they also help the body produce collagen.
They’re some of the most popular injectable fillers for the face, but they can’t be used on all areas equally. Unlike Allergan and other hyaluronic acid injectable fillers, you can’t use Radiesse in the lip and eye area.
One of the biggest cons of injectable fillers with crystals is that the procedure isn’t reversible. These dermal filler injections can a long lasting effect, usually of at least 12 months. Since the body also produces collagen in the injected areas, the effect can last up to 18 months.
Just like other facial injectable fillers, there will some be some discomfort in the following days after the procedure, but usually any bruising or swelling from dermal filler injections doesn’t last for long.
Collagen Fillers Including Cosmoderm and Cosmoplast
You might want to go for collagen fillers since they sound the most natural, but it’s always better to know the pros and cons of injectable fillers before making an informed decisions. Used for wrinkle filler injections and even lip injections, this type of fillers are the first FDA-approved ones that do not require a skin test before treatment.
When it comes to injectable fillers for the face, collagen fillers are great for delicate lines and fine creases, anywhere on your face, including the more delicate eye area. One of the biggest cons of injectable fillers that contain collagen is that the effect only lasts between three and six months. This type of dermal filler injections can also have stronger side-effects for people who suffer from allergies, asthma and eczema.
Poly-L-lactic Acid Fillers Including Sculptra Aesthetic
Another type of injectable wrinkle fillers that also stimulates collagen productions, Sculptra Aesthetic and similar facial injectable fillers are basically made from dissolvable stitches, only they last much longer. One of the biggest pros of injectable fillers that contain poly-L-lactic acid is that the results can last more than two years.
Unfortunately, this type of wrinkle filler injections also takes a long time to work. After multiple treatments, the results usually show up after 3-5 months.
Fat Fillers
One of the least common types of injectable fillers for the face, fat fillers are usually used for other area of the body. Using liposuctioned fat, this type of treatment has a zero risk of an allergic reaction or more unpleasant side-effects. It can last up to 6 months, it’s not reversible and when you’re injecting fat in areas with very little natural fat, you risk getting a lumpy look.
