The American Academy of Dermatology characterizes fillers as injectable substances that elevate deep folds in the skin. Often referred to as soft tissue fillers, they're typically made of flexible materials that basically plump up the skin, smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. After the chosen substance is administered, you often have a more youthful appearance to your skin without ever having a cosmetic surgical procedure. The best filler varies from person to person, depending on potential allergies and the severity of wrinkles.
Collagen
One of the more popular soft tissue fillers is collagen, which is described as a natural protein by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. With each passing year, you lose fat, collagen and elastin within the dermis, which is the layer just under the surface of your skin. This creates lines and wrinkles along the face. By having collagen injected under these lines and wrinkles, the skin plumps back up, giving your skin a more youthful appearance. Injectable collagen is derived from either cows or humans. Results typically last anywhere between two and four months.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is also used as a filler for wrinkles. Much like collagen, hyaluronic acid is naturally found in human skin. When injected under the epidermis, or the surface layer of your skin, these acids bind with water, adding volume to your skin. The added volume helps smooth fine line and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid lasts longer than collagen, smoothing the skin for around six months.
Harvested Fat
Wrinkles can also be filled with human fat. With this cosmetic procedure, doctors harvest fat from your own body and then inject it into your lines and wrinkles. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons states that fat is often used on deeper folds and wrinkles. You must have liposuction on the thighs, buttocks or stomach to extract the filler before it can be injected under the skin. Results vary from person to person, but you could see an improvement in your skin for upwards of a year.
Hydroxylapatite
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Academy of Dermatology agree that hydroxylapatite shows promise as an injectable filler for wrinkles. This mineral compound is the heaviest of the facial fillers, and much like harvested fat, hydroxylapatite is best used on deeper folds and wrinkles. It's also used to add contour to the face.
Polymethylmethacrylate
Polymethylmethacrylate is actually a compound containing polymethylmethacrylate and collagen. Approximately 80 percent of the material is made up of the protein collagen, so results are most likely similar to the substance on its own. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends this filler for smile lines in particular.
Poly-L-lactic Acid
The American Academy of Dermatology list poly-L-lactic acid as a potential filler for facial wrinkles. This filler is used to replace the fat lost with age. Like all other fillers, this substance plumps the skin, providing a more youthful appearance.
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