So you have decided that it’s time to do something about the changes you see in your face when you look in the mirror. Whether it’s deep folds from your nose to your mouth, flattened cheeks or the lines from your mouth to your jawline, having a basic understanding of the different volumizing agents can help you make the best choice.

Sculptra is a volumizing agent but not a true facial filler. Sculptra is a solution of PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid) that when dispersed into the dermis triggers your own fibroblasts to make more collagen. This additional collagen can lift and thicken tissue effectively volumizing the areas where it has been placed. It primary use areas include the temples, cheeks and the face in front of the ears and below the corners of the mouth. Multiple treatment sessions are needed to volumize targeted areas in a stepwise fashion, and the change in volumization occurs gradually.

Voluma is an HA (hyaluronic acid) filler that has been designed to lift tissues of the midface ( eye level to mouth). It is a moldable but stiff gel and lasts longer than other HA fillers like Juvederm and Restylane. Typically HA fillers are bulking agents not thought to induce much if any new collagen. Voluma can last up to 2 years and many people in the clinical trials were happy with their results beyond two years.

Bellafill is a volumizing agent that has a unique way of building collagen. Bellafill is composed of bovine collagen that acts as a carrier for super-small particles ( microspheres) of a medical grade polymer,  PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate). PMMA has been used in many medical applications for the last 60 years and has an excellent safety record. The bovine collagen gives immediate correction of lost volume and gradually breaks down over the next several months. The PMMA microspheres trigger your own fibroblasts to make new collagen. This new collagen is woven around the microspheres effectively building a dermal implant. The FDA recently updated the approved indication for Bellafill. Bellafill is both effective and safe for up to 5 years.

So what is the right facial filler for you? The choice should take into consideration specific treatment areas, past experiences of the patient and cost. I will often use multiple products to address different cosmetic issues. I recommend a personal consultation where I can see ( and feel) your skin and facial structures. Call the office for a consultation or attend a Second Saturday Seminar held every month at AesthetiMED and learn about all the modalities we use at AesthetiMED to help you look and feel your best at every age.