1. Temporary or absorbable injectable fillers
Temporary fillers are usually made from a substance called Collagen, which can come from a bovine source or a porcine source or it can be synthetically produced in a laboratory from hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a complex sugar that exists naturally in the body. Its most important function within the body is to carry and bind water. The Hyaluronic acid is used to deliver nutrients and hydrate the skin to "plump" a targeted area and temporarily remove wrinkles. As hyaluronic acid is a natural human product it does not require a pre-treatment skin test.
Temporary Dermal Filler - Collagen
Collagen injections were developed at Stanford University in California and have been used throughout the world for cosmetic procedures since the 1970's. Specially treated bovine protein is used that is chemically similar to human collagen. As such collagen does not normally cause any negative reactions of the immune system. However tests are always carried out before treatment.
Collagen is manufactured under many brand names such as Zyderm® and Zyplast®.
2. Semi-permanent biodegradeable injectable fillers consist of either collagen or hyaluronic acid plus a silicone derivative. These dermal fillers usually last between 3-9 months depending on the product and the amount used. As mentioned previously fillers made using collagen will require a skin test whereas fillers made from hyaluronic acid will not. Some of the brand names include Restylane®, Hydrafill®, Hylaform® and Juvederm®.
Restylane®
Restylane® is probably the most well known semi-permanent injectable filler. Restylane is based on non- animal, stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) and does not contain animal protein and therefore does not require a skin test prior to treatment.
Hydrafill®
Hydrafill® uses the dermal filler hyaluronic acid and is distributed and promoted by Inamed Aesthetics. There are various different gels for different sized wrinkles and lines.
Hylaform®
Hylaform® is a clear colourless gel made from purified hyaluronic acid Hylaform is injected just under the skin's surface and the hyaluronic acid delivers nutrients and hydrates the skin to "plump" a targeted area and temporarily remove wrinkles.
Hylaform® does not require a pre-treatment skin test. Common side effects such as swelling and redness are generally mild.
Semi-permanent Dermal Filler - Juvederm®
Juvederm® also uses hyaluronic acid and consists of three different gel particle sizes that are designed to be used for certain areas of the face. There are various different gels for different sized wrinkles and lines.
3. Permanent or non-absorbable injectable fillers
Permanent injectable filler such as Aquamid®.
Permanent Dermal Filler - Aquamid®
Aquamid® is a permanent filler where the volume of the implant is mostly water not a solid product. Aquamid™ contains about 2 - 3% of a polyacrylamide gel and 97 - 98% water. The cross-linked polyacrylamide forms a real gel, which does not contain any solid microparticles. This makes it soft and uniform. It is injected under the skin where it can't be seen or felt and remains in place permanently. Being mostly water, the body accepts the gel readily and forms a thin membrane around the implant which helps to keep it in place; as the gel is very elastic it moves with all facial expressions.
4. Cell harvesting, also known as Isolagen
A tiny sample of skin is taken whilst you are under local anaesthetic. Cells are harvested from the skin sample wherby the cells naturally divide into millions of new living fibroblasts. The number of skin cells develop exponentially. After 6 to 10 weeks, they reach a population of tens of millions and are then injected back into your skin, again under local anaesthetic.
