1. Temporary or absorbable injectable fillers
Temporary fillers are usually made from Collagen, some which come from a bovine source and some from porcine or are synthetically produced in laboratory and are derived from hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a substance (complex sugar) that exists naturally in the body. Its most important function is to carry and bind water. Hyaluronic acid delivers nutrients and hydrates the skin to "plump" a targeted area and temporarily remove wrinkles. Because hyaluronic acid is naturally present in human skin, it does not require a pre-treatment skin test.
Temporary Dermal Filler - Collagen
Collagen injections were developed in Stanford University in California and have been used in countries with cosmetic procedures since the 1970's. Specially treated bovine protein is used, which is similar to human collagen. Although collagen does not normally cause any negative reactions of the immune system tests are carried out to test product tolerance before treatment.
Collagen is manufactured under many names, two of which are Zyderm and Zyplast.
2. Semi-permanent biodegradeable injectable fillers are derived from either collagen or hyaluronic acid and a silicone derivative, which usually last 3-9 months depending on the product and the amount used. Fillers made using collagen will require a skin test whereas fillers made from hyaluronic acid will not. Some of the brand names include Restylane®, Hydrafill®, Hylaform® and Juvederm®.
Semi-permanent Dermal Filler - Restylane®
Restylane® is a semi-permanent injectable filler based on non- animal, stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) that does not contain animal protein and therefore does not require a skin test prior to treatment.
Semi-permanent Dermal filler - Hydrafill®
Hydrafill® uses the dermal filler hyaluronic acid and is distributed and promoted by Inamed Aesthetics. There are various different gels for different sized wrinkles and lines.
Semi-permanent Dermal Filler - Hylaform®
Hylaform® is a clear colorless gel made from purified hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance (complex sugar) found throughout the body in all living cells. Hyaluronic acid is chemically, physically and biologically similar in all species. Injected just under the skin's surface, hyaluronic acid delivers nutrients and hydrates the skin to "plump" a targeted area and temporarily remove wrinkles.
Because hyaluronic acid is naturally present in human skin, Hylaform® does not require a pre-treatment skin test. It provides immediate, natural-looking results. Common side effects such as swelling and redness are generally mild.
Semi-permanent Dermal Filler - Juvederm®
Juvederm® also uses hyaluronic acid and consists of three different gel particle sizes that are designed to be used for certain areas of the face. There are various different gels for different sized wrinkles and lines.
3. Permanent or non-absorbable injectable fillers
Permanent injectable filler such as Aquamid®.
Permanent Dermal Filler - Aquamid®
Aquamid® is a permanent filler where the volume of the implant is given by water not from a solid product. Aquamid™ contains about 2 - 3% of a polyacrylamide gel and 97 - 98% water. The cross-linked polyacrylamide forms a real gel, which does not contain any solid microparticles. This makes it soft and uniform. It is injected under the skin where it can't be seen or felt and remains in place permanently. Being mostly water, the body accepts the gel readily and forms a thin membrane around the implant which helps to keep it in place; as the gel is very elastic it moves with all facial expressions.
4. Cell harvesting
Cell harvesting is also known as Isolagen. A tiny sample of skin is taken whilst you are under local anaesthetic. From the tiny skin sample the cells naturally divide into millions of new living fibroblasts. The number of skin cells develop exponentially. After 6 to 10 weeks, they reach a population of tens of millions and are then injected back into your skin, again under local anaesthetic.
