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Dermal Fillers: The Basics

Dermal Fillers General Information

Dermal fillers are becoming increasingly popular as a means to help reverse the changes associated with aging.


As skin ages, the dermis gradually loses its major constituents: collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Collagen acts as the major support protein for skin, elastin allows skin to stay firm and resist wrinkles, and hyaluronic acid helps to trap water and add volume and shape to skin.

Dermal fillers can give a more natural appearance than surgical face lifts. Dermal fillers can reduce or eliminate wrinkles, raise scar depressions, enhance lips, and replace soft-tissue volume loss.

Examples of Dermal Fillers

Compare Types of Dermal Fillers

Juvederm Restylane Perlane Radiesse Evolence
What is it made of? Hyaluronic Acid Hyaluronic Acid Hyaluronic Acid Calcium Hydroxyl Apatite Cross-linked Porcine (Pig) Collagen
What is it used for? Nasolabial folds, lips, around the mouth, cheeks, etc. Nasolabial folds, lips, around the mouth, cheeks, etc. Nasolabial folds, lips, around the mouth, cheeks, etc. Nasolabial folds, cheeks, temples, around the mouth. NOT IN THE LIPS Nasolabial folds, around the mouth, cheeks, etc.
How many treatments are needed? 1 1 1 1 1
Is skin testing required? No No No No No
How long does it last? 6 to 12 months in the nasolabial folds, 3 to 6 months in the lips 6 to 12 months in the nasolabial folds, 3 to 6 months in the lips 6 to 12 Months 6 to 12 months 6 to 12 Months
Is there a risk for hypersensitivity? rare rare rare rare rare
Where does it come from? streptococcus bacteria streptococcus bacteria streptococcus bacteria Synthetic Purified Porcine (Pig) Collagen
Is it animal based? No No No No Yes
How much does it cost? $$/$$$ $$/$$$ $$/$$$ $$$ $$
Sculptra Prevelle Silk Elevess Cosmoplast & Cosmoderm Artefill
What is it made of? Poly Lactic Acid Hyaluronic Acid Hyaluronic Acid with Lidocaine anesthetic Human Collagen mixed with Lidocaine anesthetic Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA) and Bovine (Cow) Collagen
What is it used for? Generalized Facial Volume in the Cheeks, Chin, and Temples Fine lines, nasolabial folds, lips, lines around the mouth. Nasolabial folds, lips, around the mouth, cheeks, etc. Nasolabial Folds, Lips, and Fine Lines Nasolabial Folds, Cheeks, Chin. NOT IN THE LIPS
How many treatments are needed? Multiple over several Months 1 1 1 1
Is skin testing required? No No No No Yes
How long does it last? 2 to 4 Years 2 to 6 Months 3 to 12 Months 2 to 6 months More than 5 Years
Is there a risk for hypersensitivity? rare rare Contains Sulfa and May cause allergic reaction for many people sensitive to Sulfa rare Hypersensitivity to the Bovine (Cow) Collagen requires skin testing
Where does it come from? Synthetic Polymer of Lactic Acid streptococcus bacteria streptococcus bacteria Purified Human Collagen PMMA is synthetic and collagen comes from cows
Is it animal based? No No No No The collagen is animal based
How much does it cost? $$$$ $$ $$ $ $$$$