Dermal Fillers: Level 2

There are a variety of FDA approved filler products that cosmetic surgeons use. In general, fillers are categorized by the substance they are made from. A note for your safety: always make sure that you are receiving FDA approved, brand name fillers, which are only available through a licensed physician, such as a board certified cosmetic surgeon.

Hyaluronic acid is a gel that is injected into the skin to add volume to the lips, restore volume, and fill in wrinkles or folds. The syringe contains hyaluronic acid almost identical to that naturally found in the body. It is completely biologically degradable.

Wrinkles and sagginess can be corrected using fillers to replenish the volume loss that comes with age. The most common areas are the cheeks, the nasolabial folds (from the wing of the nose to the angle of the mouth) and the lips, but many other sites may also be treated to achieve desired effect. The contours of the lips can be enhanced to the desired level by accentuating the vermillion border and giving the lips more volume. Very deep wrinkles and some types of acne scars cannot typically be treated with this material. Very superficial wrinkles are often difficult to correct.

Fillers are becoming increasing effective in producing non-surgical desired results. However, some people with excess facial skin or people who want a major resurfacing of the skin cannot be corrected with fillers alone.