Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

Posted on: November 8th, 2016 by California Skin Institute

As Northern California’s largest private dermatology practice, California Skin Institute has helped many patients target wrinkles and loss of facial volume with hyaluronic acid fillers and other injectables.* This extensive experience has given our providers a deep collective insight into combining different injectables to achieve enhanced outcomes for our patients.* To better understand how hyaluronic acid fillers and other injectables can be combined for enhanced outcomes, let’s take a closer look at how they work and what they’re meant to achieve.*

How Hyaluronic Acid Fillers Work

Unlike neuromodulators (think Botox or Dysport), hyaluronic acid fillers don’t relax facial muscles and instead reduce wrinkles by providing support under the skin.* This support is achieved via a two-pronged approach.*

Firstly, these gel-like fillers reduce wrinkles by providing immediate volume under the skin.* Secondly, the hyaluronic acid in these fillers attracts moisture to the treatment site, which helps maintain the volume longer.*

The latter aspect is possible because hyaluronic acid is great at attracting moisture.* In fact, these molecules can hold as much as 1,000 times their weight in moisture.* Further, because hyaluronic acid is naturally present in the human body, chances of an adverse reaction are quite low.*

The Specialization of Fillers

Hyaluronic acid fillers have evolved significantly over the years toward specialization.* Though they are based mostly on the same principle, the formulations can differ substantially based on how the molecule chains are structured.* This led to specialization that’s given patients significantly more choices about how to treat wrinkles on different parts of the face.* Let’s take a look at some of these hyaluronic acid fillers in more detail.*

• Juvederm Volbella:  This filler from Juvederm was designed specifically for reducing lip wrinkles and boosting lip volume.* Its consistency is much thinner than that of Juvederm Voluma, which creates lip enhancement that looks and feels natural.*

• Juvederm Ultra and Ultra Plus:  The consistency and cross linking of this set of hyaluronic acid fillers makes them a good choice for addressing moderate lines and wrinkles, as well as reducing the appearance of nasolabial folds.*

• Juvederm Voluma:  Juvederm Voluma is formulated to reduce the hollow appearance in the cheeks that is caused by age-related loss of fatty tissue.* It relies on a thick hyaluronic acid gel to create immediate volume in the cheeks and maintain that volume by attracting moisture to the treatment site.*

• Restylane Silk:  Designed specifically for lip injections, this filler can produce a subtle improvement in lip volume and shape.* When treatment is performed correctly, the outcomes look natural and it’s impossible to tell that you’ve had the procedure.*

• Restylane:  This hyaluronic acid filler is often used for addressing wrinkles and skin laxity around the eyes.* It can be used to address a wide range of concerns, including crow’s feet and subtle loss of volume.*

• Restylane Lyft:  This Restylane filler is similar to Voluma in that it’s a thicker hyaluronic acid gel.* It is commonly used to boost volume in the cheeks, and correct serious wrinkles like nasolabial folds.*

• Belotero:  This filler is also formulated with hyaluronic acid, but is meant for more serious wrinkles and nasolabial folds.* It would not be a good choice for lip injections as the gel consistency isn’t meant for nuanced touch-ups of the lips.*

Please keep in mind that these are just a handful of the major filler brands available today.* New formulations are being developed continuously, to provide patients with more specialized treatment options.* For example, the FDA is expected to approve new fillers like Volift for use in the United States quite soon.*

However, what’s really important for patients to understand is that many of these fillers are meant to be used in conjunction with one another.* For example, your California Skin Institute provider may suggest lip treatments with Restylane Silk, improvements in cheek contour with JuvedermVoluma, giving more support around the eyes with Restylane, and addressing nasolabial folds or earlobe laxity with Belotero.* Further, hyaluronic acid fillers can be combined with neuromodulators like Botox or Dysport for an even more comprehensive treatment.*

By carefully combining the best fillers for the specific aesthetic concerns, your provider can achieve aesthetic improvements that play off of each other for a combined improvement that is greater than the sum of its parts.*

Other Dermal Fillers

In addition to hyaluronic acid fillers, a variety of other injectables are available, which rely on different mechanisms to improve volume and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.*

• Sculptra:  Instead of relying on hyaluronic acid to achieve outcomes, Sculptra utilizes poly-L-lactic acid.* This ingredient produces improvements by stimulating production of collagen at the injection site.* The full outcomes are not immediate, but rather show up over time, as the body builds more collagen. Sculptra is primarily used to address nasolabial folds.*

• Radiesse:  This filler utilizes calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres instead of hyaluronic acid.* The main ingredient helps provide volume right after the injection but also works to stimulate collagen production to increase the longevity of outcomes.*

• Bellafill:  Just like Radiesse, the goal of Bellafill is to provide immediate outcomes through increased volume, but also to boost collagen production in the months after treatment.* To achieve these improvements, Bellafill is formulated with collagen (for immediate outcomes) as well as polymethylmethacrylate, which supports production of more collagen.*

Which Fillers are Right for You?

The best way to see which fillers are the best choice for you is to speak with an expert provider.* Here at California Skin Institute we’ve worked with thousands of patients over the years and have deep expertise with combining fillers for outcomes that look natural and aesthetically pleasing.* To schedule a consultation with one of our expert providers, please call a CSI practice near you or schedule your consultation now by using the online portal.

*Individual results may vary and are not guaranteed.