Even dermatologists can't agree on which products work best and last longest. Why? Off-setting wrinkles isn't an exact science. Myriad factors -- like skin texture, age and amount of sun damage -- are taken into account before plotting a patient's best course of action when it comes to facial fillers.
But don't stress (seriously, don't -- it causes wrinkles as these expert tips prove). We're gonna walk you through the basics of four commonly used fillers: Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane and Radiesse, so you can make an informed decision. Because prices vary so widely depending on where you live, the doc you see and how much product your specific case requires, we'll leave that research up to you -- the rest is on us.
Next: The facts
Photo 0/7
Filler facts
Restylane, Juvederm and Perlane are hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers. HA is a natural sugar compound found in all living organisms that provides volume and fullness to the skin. When injected, the HA molecules draw in water and cause the tissue underneath to swell. They're made of biodegradable non-animal HA and, unlike collagen, pose no risk of allergic reaction or being rejected by the body. Radiesse, on the other hand, is composed of tiny crystals containing calcium hydroxyapatite, a substance found in our bones and teeth. It, too, is manufactured synthetically so there's no risk of having an allergic reaction and thus no need for skin testing before having the product injected.
What the four have in common is the recovery/down time -- itching, redness and/or bruising may occur at the injection site(s). Swelling may last for up to 7 days. And the basic procedure/pain factor: Usually a numbing cream (typically lidocaine) will be applied to the areas that will be injected, but most patients still experience moderate pain while being injected -- especially around the mouth.
Next: The 4-1-1 on Restylane
Have your "fine" lines begun to etch a deeper groove into your skin -- not to mention psyche -- and started morphing into (cue sinister music) full-blown wrinkles?
Let's be Zen about it. Take pride in each furrow as it represents a hardship overcome. Find joy in every crease as it is like a smile remembered. Ugh, who are we kidding? Let's plump those suckers up!
"The new world of fillers is tremendous for the consumer," says noted dermatologist Kathy Fields, co-founder of skin care brand Rodan & Fields. "[With them], we refresh faces, removing hollows, sags, dents and lines. We can't make anyone a 20-year-old again but we can make people look great for their age."
OK, so you decide you're game for a non-surgical skin treatment like Juvederm, Perlane or Radiesse, but you're wondering which one to use. The advent of safer, longer-lasting injectable fillers has made grandma's gold-standard collagen go the way of the dodo, but with such a glut of choices, women today are like kids with those dang Webkinz -- our minds beleaguered by what to choose and why. Here, we'll explain what the most common non-surgical facial fillers are, and share feedback from readers and doctors on whom they're best for and the pros and cons of each.
