Wrinkle Filler

About Winkle Filler Injections

A semi-permanent option, wrinkle filler or skin filler injections are available for moderate to severe facial lines. The fillers are commonly used on problem areas such as the forehead, around the eyes, and around the mouth. These are advantageous because they can treat lines without surgery. The results generally last a few months before additional treatment is necessary.

While Botox injections treat wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing the facial muscles, filler injections plump and fill out tissue, allowing it to look smoother, younger, and healthier.

Types of Filler Injections

Injections designed to fill out wrinkles are based on either collagen, fat, or a substance called hyaluronic acid.

Collagen

One of the oldest skin filling products, collagen treatments supplement the skin's natural existence of this substance. It is a protein that exists in the second layer, or dermis, of the skin and acts as a support structure. Over time this structure begins to wear down, thus causing wrinkles to appear.

Although originally only bovine collagen was available for treatment purposes, bioengineered human forms are now available as well. Collagen injections include:

• Bovine
  • Zyderm
  • Zyplast

• Bioengineered Human
  • Cosmoderm
  • Cosmoplast

Other alternatives include autologen, which is collagen from taken from one's own body and injected into wrinkled areas, and dermaolgen, which is collagen derived from (deceased) human donors.

Fat Injections

Fat injections can also be used to fill facial lines. Also referred to as microlipoinjection, this type of filler typically involves harvesting fat from unwanted areas of one's body and injecting it in the desired areas to eliminate wrinkles. Fat can also be surgically transplanted to fill out the skin. This type of injection is desired by many because there is no risk of allergic reaction since the material is coming from one's own body.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the skin, but like collagen, it diminishes with age. Wrinkle fillers with this substance adhere to and draw water into the skin, resulting in increased volume that reduces the appearance of folds and wrinkles. It is also sometimes used in conjunction with collagen to provide maximum benefits. The injection is usually administered in gel form. Brand names for this treatment are Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Captique, and Hylaform.

Calcium-Based Fillers

Another filler incorporating calcium hydroxlapatite, a synthetic calcium phosphate product, can be used to effectively treat facial lines. Although not permanent, this filler is one of the longer-lasting injections available, lasting up to two years in some cases. The gel-like injections contains micro-particles that help provide longer lasting results. The brand name for this injectable is Radiesse.

Permanent Filler

Artefille is considered permanent filler for naso-labial wrinkles, also known as smile lines. This collagen-based filler also uses polymethyl methacrylate, a synthetic material used in Plexiglas and medical implants. The injection treats the wrinkles and the lasting structure is said to prevent further wrinkling.

Filling Creams

Although creams and serums may not have the dramatic affects of cosmetic surgeries or dermal injections, for many people they are a much more affordable option -- and one with far fewer risk factors. External filler products work with the layers of the skin to add moisture and volume to fill out the skin's texture. Many wrinkle creams also have ingredients to help stimulate the skin's natural production of substances like collagen.

Many skin care brands sell wrinkle fillers. A few examples of available products include:

• DHC Wrinkle Filler Serum
• Chanel Micro Precision Filler Program
• Dior Capture Intense Deep Filler
• Babor Hyaluronic Filler
• Monet Facial Sculpture
• L'Oreal Wrinkle Decrease
• Tri-Aktiline Instant Deep Wrinkle Treatment