Composite Fillers & Filler Treatments
Washington, D.C.
The goal of all dermal filler treatments is to correct facial wrinkles and fill hollows that occur as a result of aging, weight loss, scarring, or injury. The first dermal filler approved for this use, collagen, continues to give great results, and hyaluronic acid fillers are becoming an increasingly popular option, second only to BOTOX® Cosmetic injections in popularity. But new technologies are constantly being developed to offer fillers that may give better results for some people.
At the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery, we offer our patients the most advanced options cosmetic treatments, including dermal fillers. To learn more about these options, please schedule a facial rejuvenation consultation today.
Composite Fillers Radiesse and ArteFill
Composite fillers are one attempt to solve a major shortcoming of dermal fillers: short-lived results. Most dermal fillers last about 4-6 months, roughly the same length as BOTOX® treatments. In an attempt to increase the length of results, composite fillers combine a smooth carrier gel with tiny spheres of a durable material that is designed to increase the life of results.
After injection, the gel is absorbed by the body, leaving the microspheres. As it absorbs the gel, the body fills in around the spheres with collagen, maintaining results as long as the spheres are in place. These fillers are good for nasolabial folds and deep hollows. Sometimes they are used for facial reshaping. Radiesse treatments for increasing the prominence of cheekbones are popular. They are not recommended for lip augmentation. Currently, there are two composite fillers approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Radiesse is a combination of methylcellulose gel and calcium hydroxylapatite spheres. Methylcellulose is commonly used as a food thickener and calcium hydroxylapatite (CHA) has a long history of use as a bone filler, so both ingredients are very safe. The CHA in Radiesse is durable in the body, but it is slowly absorbed. Studies indicate that about 80% of people who get Radiesse injections see results that last for over 1 year.
ArteFill is an attempt to create a permanent filler. It uses a collagen carrier gel with medical-grade polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres. In addition to ArteFill, PMMA is used in dental appliances and prostheses, replacement lenses used in cataract surgery, and bone cement, and it has a history of safe use dating back to the 1930s. In theory, the PMMA will not be absorbed by the body and results will be permanent. In studies, the average length of results was about 5.4 years, and some patients report results lasting 10 years or more.
SculptraAesthetic Treatment
If the cause of wrinkles is the loss of facial volume, wouldn't the best treatment be to stimulate the body to produce more volume? This is the rationale behind Sculptra treatments. SculptraAesthetic is an FDA-approved, biocompatible, biodegradable material that has been used in many medical applications, including dissolvable stitches. For cosmetic applications, SculptraAesthetic (poly-L-Lactic acid) is injected into the skin, where it stimulates the body to produce more collagen. Although it can give great results, it usually takes more than one treatment before any significant results are seen, maybe 2-3 months. Exactly how much your body will respond to Sculptra is also unpredictable, so the treatment may require significant adjustment before you get the results you desire. Results from Sculptra are natural-looking and long-lasting with many patients seeing improvements beyond 24 months.
Deciding which dermal filler is best for your face and your cosmetic goals is a complicated decision. The information here is a good starting place, but to make a final decision, you need to discuss your options with a dermatologist. Please schedule a consultation with our cosmetic dermatologists today.
