Choosing the right dermal filler
Choosing the Right Dermal Filler
What are the different types of dermal filler? That is one question that professionals are asked every day. The truth is, each dermal fillers serves a different purpose, and that will determine which one is right for your patient.
Facial fillers, or dermal fillers are one of the most popular and sought-after aesthetic treatments on the market today. Used to rejuvenate the skin and add volume and lift certain areas of the face, dermal fillers can plump lips, lift brows, smooth fine lines and wrinkles and even erase undereye circles.
Dermal fillers take less than one hour to inject and require little to no downtime following treatment. Side effects are usually minimal, and may include mild swelling, bruising and irritation around the injection site.
How to Choose the Right Dermal Filler?
Choosing the right dermal filler will very much depend on the patient, their individual concerns and their skin type.
Before carrying out any treatments on your patient, you should hold a consultation to review the patient. You should aim to find out a little bit about their concerns, their lifestyle and current overall health, including skin health as all these factors will help determine whether dermal fillers are suitable, and which one to use. We also advise analysing the skin for sun damage and elasticity to.
Remember, do not confuse dermal fillers with other injectable treatments, such as Botox, Dysport or Xeomin – these are injectables, but primary use is to provide temporary paralysis of the muscles. These treatments cannot fill, plump, or enhance any areas, but they can be used alongside dermal fillers in certain areas.
What are the different types of Dermal Fillers?
The Juvéderm range is one of the most well-known when it comes to dermal fillers. The range consists of several different dermal fillers designed for different areas, and different uses on the face.
Each formulation is based upon hyaluronic acid which is a naturally occurring substance within the body, and is effective at improving facial contours, smoothing fine lines, plumping certain areas, and regulating water balance within the dermis to improve overall skin condition.
It is a transparent concentrated gel substance with a unique formulation that is designed to remain in the skin for longer periods of time. Overall, Juvéderm is known to last up to 18 months before its affects begin to wear off. After this period, you will have to invite your client back for retreatment if they wish.
Though not totally painless, most HA fillers such as Juvéderm are infused with the lidocaine (anaesthetic) to minimize any pain and discomfort your client may experience during and following treatment.
Juvéderm can be used for:
Lip enhancements
Lower Facial Rejuvenation
Adding volume to Cheeks
Non-surgical nose procedures
The next most common facial filler is known as Ellanse. The most notable difference in Ellanse is that it is known as a bio-stimulator.
Known to contain polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres Ellanse fillers can stimulate new collogen production within the body. The substance is not new, in fact it has been around for over 70 years in the medical field, however it was only introduced to the world of aesthetics in 2010.
When used in Dermal filler, PCL gives the skin a longer-lasting, more natural lift compared to other dermal fillers. The thicker consistency of Ellanse means it is particularly helpful in wrinkle rejuvenation, and does not move once injected into the skin, making it a good option for many areas.
The applications it can be used for are:
Marionette lines
Nasolabial fold
Acne scarring
Loose skin on the neck, décolletage, and hands
Worry lines and frown lines
Facial contouring
Since Ellanse filler stimulates collagen production, it’s not suitable for use in the lips, or as part of a non-surgical eye lifting procedures.
Like Juvéderm, Restylane is based upon hyaluronic acid. It’s gel-like consistency means it can be easily and quickly dissolved, meaning aestheticians can remove/ make fine adjustments where needed.
Restylane is most commonly used in lip enhancement procedures, reducing wrinkles and improving areas around the eyes, however it can also be used to adjust facial contours.
The main uses for Restylane are:
Lip enhancements
Adding volume to the face
Adjusting chin, nose, and other contours
Revitalising the skin and adding elasticity.
Radiesse is similar to Restylane, but rather hyaluronic acid being its primary substance, it is actually based on calcium and has the appearance of a soft, white paste. Radiesse also typically has a longer lifespan.
Its thicker consistency is known to provide greater structure support than Restylane, and it is generally better suited towards lifting procedures such as eyebrow lifts and cheek augmentations that require a firmer substance.
One of the main issues practitioners find with Radiesse is that it is usually a lot harder to correct or shape once injected. Therefore, it is better suited for those with more experience.
Radiesse can be used for:
Deeper set wrinkles
Brow lifts
Deep scars
Adding volume to the back of the hands
We hope that this blog has helped to answer the question, what are the different types of dermal filler. Of course, if you need any support or assistance, please contact our team here at Fillers Direct who will be able to offer you advice and help you select the right filler for your patient.