The ability to use fillers to treat wrinkles without the hassle of surgery has added another dimension to cosmetic dermatology. Patients can see instant results, and there's no downtime for recovery as with surgical options. Even so, some fillers are better than others when it comes to treating wrinkles.
Artefill or Artecoll
Artefill--known as Artecoll outside the United States--is made of poly methyl methacrylate, or PMMA, and bovine (cow) collagen, according to DocShop.com. It is used to fill nasolabial folds, cheeks and chin. Only one treatment is needed, and it should last more than five years. Skin testing is required prior to treatment, as people have been known to have a hypersensitivity to bovine collagen. This is one of the most expensive fillers available.
Botox Cosmetic
Botox is a highly diluted form of botulinum toxin type A, which in its pure state is a very deadly toxin. It is used to treat frown lines, crow's feet and other minor facial wrinkles. One quick treatment is needed, and will provide the desired effects for three to six months.
Cosmoderm and Cosmoplast
Cosmoderm and Cosmoplast are the first fillers to be made of human collagen. Mixed with lidocaine anesthetic, it provides patients who have reactions to bovine collagen an alternative. It is used to treat nasolabial folds, lips and fine lines. One treatment is needed with no skin testing required, and it provides two to six months of desired effect. It is the least expensive filler available.
Fat Transfer
Fat transfers use the patient's fat from other areas of the body as the filler, making it the safest filler available. The effects can vary, says the Mayo Clinic, and are dependent upon how the fat was removed and prepared before it was injected as filler and how quickly your body works to dissolve the fat. Multiple treatments are probable.
Juvedérm and Perlane
Juvedérm is a hyaluronic acid. It is used to treat nasolabial folds, lips, around the mouth, cheeks and other fine lines. One treatment is all that's needed with no skin testing required, and should provide six to 12 months of desired effects for most treatments and three to six months for lip treatments, according to the Mayo Clinic. Perlane is also a hyaluronic acid, but will provide desired effects for six to 12 months on lips.
Radiesse (Formerly Radiance)
Radiesse is a calcium hydroxyl apatite. It is used to treat deeper wrinkles in the nasolabial folds, cheeks, temples and around the mouth. One treatment is required with no skin testing, according to the DermaNetwork and should provide six to 12 months of desired effects.
Sculptra
Sculptra is a poly lactic acid, which forces the body to generate more collagen to fill in wrinkles. It is used for generalized facial volume in the cheeks, chin and temples. Multiple treatments over several months are required, but the desired results can last two to four years. Like Artefill, it is one of the most expensive fillers.
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