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Dermal fillers are miracle substances that are injected just beneath the skin to boost volume, suppleness and smoothness. Fillers can improve facial contours and reduce the appearance of aging. More than 1 million men and women opt for this noninvasive beauty treatment each year.
To keep up with the ever-increasing demand for fillers, competition has become fierce. There are so many dermal filler brands on the market today. While a wider selection is preferable to a narrow selection, it can also be completely overwhelming.
Which dermal filler will give you the best results for the best price?
Let’s briefly discuss what dermal fillers are, and compare the different types of dermal fillers that are on the market. Then, we shine a light on various dermal fillers, one at a time, revealing their strengths and weaknesses. We have also compiled a dermal filler guide based on your treatment site.
Dermal fillers are FDA-approved injectable substances used to plump or fill soft tissue. They are FDA-approved and absorbed by the body over time.
Dermal fillers are known for their versatility. When patients just want to look a little better, dermal fillers are probably the solution. Fillers can:
Patients love fillers because they can see results immediately after treatment -- no waiting or downtime necessary.
Botox is another FDA-approved cosmetic injection. Both dermal fillers and Botox are used to reverse signs of aging and enhance beauty, but they work differently.
While Botox “freezes” muscles to reduce muscle contraction, and therefore wrinkles, dermal fillers are injectable implants. They “fill” in wrinkles, divots, and other imperfections to make skin look smooth and healthy.
Even with a basic understanding of dermal fillers, navigating which type of filler you want can be difficult. Here are the different categories of dermal fillers:
How long your dermal filler treatment lasts depends not only on the product but also the area of treatment and your unique body. In general, denser products last longer. The deeper the injection, the longer-lasting the results.
Usually, hyaluronic acid fillers are more temporary than other options, lasting 6-18 months. Synthetic fillers last a little longer, because they are absorbed very slowly or not absorbed at all. Fat injections should last the longest of all. Although some of the fat will not survive, you should retain most of the result permanently or semi-permanently.
We’ll cover how long each brand of filler is expected to last in the sections below
Some experts will tell you that the best and most natural-looking results require a combination of different fillers. Each dermal filler performs best in particular treatment areas. If you want to improve your face as a whole, your medical aesthetic provider may recommend a combination of a few dermal filler types.
Radiesse is made up of a calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) gel. The gel is made up of hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon. These elements absorb into the body and generate collagen production for more youthful skin.
Treatment: Radiesse was approved by the FDA in 2006 to treat nasolabial folds. Radiesse is now used to improve volume loss in the face, as well as to hide veins and wrinkles on the hands! It is also good for filling in acne scars and recontouring the jawline.
Lifespan: Years of rigorous clinical studies have shown that Radiesse lasts longer than the former leading filler. It usually lasts from a year to 18 months on average.
Cost: Radiesse filler generally costs more per syringe than other fillers, because it is long-lasting and requires few treatments in many cases.
Filler strengths: Because Radiesse is CaHA instead of hyaluronic acid, like most other fillers are, it allows the body to produce its own collagen, and lasts about twice as long as hyaluronic acid fillers.
Filler weaknesses: Radiesse is a thicker solution, which can cause granuloma, or lumps under the skin if it is used in the wrong places, like beneath the eyes. Keep in mind all fillers have their own side effects and risks, and the risks of Radiesse are not any greater than other risks associated with other fillers.
Juvéderm is a well-known hyaluronic acid filler. It increases water absorption and therefore increases the volume of the skin.
Treatment: Juvéderm has the following products within the brand:
Lifespan: Juvéderm injections can last anywhere from 9 months to 2 years, depending on the type of Juvéderm and the individual.
Cost: Juvéderm is often the most affordable dermal filler selection. The cost ranges widely, but the average of each syringe is around $620, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Filler strengths: Juvéderm is notably the “most hydrophilic” due to the highest concentration of hyaluronic acid, making it good for a little extra plumping.
Filler weaknesses: This same hydrophilic property that makes Juvéderm good for plumping may also result in spreading or extra swelling. This can occur with any dermal filler, but is more commonly seen with Juvéderm.
Restylane is a clear gel formation which is formulated to act like your body’s naturally-produced hyaluronic acid. It corrects facial wrinkles, folds and lines, and can plump up the lips as well.
Treatment: Restylane can be used to treat around the eyes, tear troughs, lips, frown lines, crow’s feet, brow lines and perioral area.
Lifespan: Results of Restylane can last up to 18 months, depending on the type of filler used and the individual.
Cost: Restylane costs between $400 and $800 per syringe.
Filler strengths: Restylane is made up of particularly small hyaluronic acid molecules, which is better for smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. Its smooth formula also has a lesser incidence of bumps or lumps, making it suitable for thin areas of skin like the undereye area.
Filler weaknesses: Other fillers, like Juvéderm, have higher concentrations of hyaluronic acid as compared to Restylane, making Restylane less effective in some cases.
Teoxane’s Teosyal filler offers a range of 100% non-animal origin hyaluronic fillers.
Treatment: Teosyal can be used all over the face, lips, cheeks, forehead, and even in the delicate skin around the eyes. It can also be used to fill the neck and neckline.
Lifespan: Teosyal lasts between 9 months and 1 year, and is considered one of the longer-lasting hyaluronic acid injectable fillers on the market.
Cost: The cost of Teosyal starts at $499 per syringe and can get to about $699 per syringe, depending on the number of units injected as well as the place where you receive it.
Filler strengths: Teosyal is a popular tear trough filler due to its thin and smooth texture. The Teosyal-patented formula consists of cross-linked hyaluronic acid molecules hold together longer and in a more structured way. The formula helps Teosyal hold its shape better in high-movement areas like around the mouth, brows or eyes.
Filler weaknesses: Teosyal® is slightly newer than well-known fillers like Juvéderm, and fewer providers in the US offer it. It may also be slightly more expensive.
Sculptra is different from Restylane and Juvéderm because it is made from Poly-L-Lactic Acid, not hyaluronic acid. This synthetic compound encourages the body’s natural production of new collagen.
Treatment: Sculptra is approved to treat the following:
· Sunken cheeks
· Sunken or hollow areas of the face
· Folds and lines
· Diminish cellulite
· Enhance the buttocks
Lifespan: Outcomes vary from patient to patient, but Sculptra results can last as long as two years. Many patients need several treatments for better results.
Cost: The average cost of a Sculptra treatment session is about $1,500.
Filler strengths: Sculptra lasts longer than other filler types. Some patients feel that it is more natural because it boosts the body’s natural collagen production. It produces very natural-looking results.
Filler weaknesses: Sculptra does not produce an instant result, but takes weeks or months to fully develop.
The RHA Collection is a series of resilient “designer” fillers. RHA is the only FDA-approved hyaluronic acid filler for dynamic wrinkles and folds.
Treatment: RHA can treat wrinkles caused by movements like squinting, frowning, laughing and talking. It can also increase facial volume.
Lifespan: RHA lasts between 9 and 18 months. Result lifespan will depend on the age and lifestyle of the individual, as well as the area of treatment.
Cost: Although it is marked as a “designer brand,” RHA fillers cost similarly to other fillers -- about $700 to $850 per syringe, depending on practice.
Filler strengths: It can be difficult to treat dynamic areas of the face with filler without making them look stiff. RHA is designed to be more like real hyaluronic acid, so dynamic areas around the eyes and mouth can be given a natural and lineless look.
Filler weaknesses: If you want to remedy static lines rather than dynamic lines, your provider may recommend a different filler. RHA is also a newer filler brand that may be harder to find in your area.
Bellafill is not a temporary filler like Restylane, Juvéderm or collagen. Bellafill is a synthetic substance that is not absorbed by the body, so the results are semi-permanent for long-lasting wrinkle correction.
Treatment: Bellafill can support almost any area of the face. Bellafill treatments include:
Lifespan: Bellafill lasts so long because it 1) provides nonabsorbable microspheres to support the face and 2) encourages the skin to produce more collagen. Most patients see results for 2-5 years.
Cost: Most patients undergo 1-4 initial Bellafill treatment sessions. One syringe of Bellafill costs between $900 and $1500.
Filler strengths: Because it is so long-lasting, Bellafill can be a less expensive and more convenient option for patients who want to feel more confident.
Filler weaknesses: While “semi-permanent” will sound like a lifesaver to many patients, others may cringe at the idea. If the outcome is not what the patient hoped for, the patient can either have the Bellafill surgically removed or wait years until the results wear off.
Revanesse Versa is a hyaluronic acid filler that is similar to Juvéderm, except it utilizes cross-linking technology. This cross-linking technology is easier to inject, resulting in a more natural feel and aesthetic.
Treatment: Revanesse Versa smooths fine lines and wrinkles. It can be applied to the under eye, forehead folds, glabellar lines, bridge of the nose, laugh lines, lips, nasolabial folds, chin, jaw and cheeks.
Lifespan: This filler provides long-lasting results that break down very gradually. The results of just one Revanesse Versa treatment can last up to 6 months, while Revanesse Kiss can last 10-14 months.
Cost: A typical Revanesse treatment could cost $500 or more. This figure will vary based on location, provider and treatment type.
Filler strengths: Revanesse Versa lasts longer and does not break down as quickly as other common fillers. It is also versatile and can be applied anywhere on the face.
Filler weaknesses: While lidocaine is infused into most filler syringes to boost patient comfort, there is no lidocaine in the Revanesse syringe. However, your provider can ensure your comfort with other measures.
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