Natural Fillers for Face
Dermal filler injections are one of the country’s most popular cosmetic procedures for youthful-looking skin rejuvenation. As we begin to age, our body starts producing less collagen and elastin, structural proteins responsible for providing volume and keeping skin smooth and firm. The depletion of collagen and elastin can lead to visible signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth and nose (known as nasolabial folds), facial sagging, hollowed cheeks, and jowls. Unlike traditional plastic surgery procedures, facial fillers are quick, painless, and provide minimal downtime. Side effects may include swelling and bruising around the injection site for a few days, but individuals can resume their daily activities immediately after injection. These facial fillers work to fill in lines, creases, and folds to provide immediate visible results, making them one of the most sought-after rejuvenation treatments.
When thinking about filler treatments, many people become worried about injecting too much filler and ending up with unnatural facial features. Dermal fillers, however, are all formulated in various ways to blend into the skin and provide a natural, youthful-looking appearance. To achieve a natural-looking rejuvenation, it is vital to consult with an expert filler injector, such as board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green. With over two and a half decades of experience treating patients in her Upper East Side office, Dr. Green is consistently identified as one of New York’s top dermatologists by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, and Super Doctors. When you schedule a consultation with Dr. Green, she will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan to address your specific cosmetic goals.
What natural ingredients are dermal fillers made out of?
Dermal fillers are made up of compounds that are naturally produced by the body. The most popular dermal fillers on the market are comprised of hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, or poly-L-lactic acid. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a humectant found in various body parts, such as the skin, eyes, and joint fluid. HA filler is made in a lab from bacteria through a process called biofermentation to mimic the natural HA found in the body. Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHa) is a substance naturally found in enamel and bone cells to support the structural integrity of the bone. Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is a synthetic compound comprising a chain of multiple lactic acid molecules, a substance involved in cellular respiration and glucose formation. Since HA, CaHa, and PLLA fillers are all derived or modeled by naturally occurring substances, they are biodegradable, meaning the body can break down and absorb the compounds.
Can fillers look natural?
Fillers can absolutely look natural! The biggest way to ensure this is to consult a board-certified dermatologist like Dr. Green. She will first listen to your aesthetic concerns and assess your skin to determine which fillers would be best for your unique facial symmetry. With over 25 years of experience in the field of cosmetic dermatology, Dr. Green takes a conservative approach with dermal fillers, putting in a small amount of filler to provide a natural-looking, non-surgical pan-rejuvenation. After the initial injections, patients are typically brought back two weeks later to assess if any additional filler is needed to achieve the desired aesthetic results.
Which dermal filler looks the most natural?
A wide variety of dermal fillers on the market can achieve a natural appearance. Each filler differs in its composition and durability to smooth out fine lines, diminish wrinkles, replenish facial volume loss, and keep skin looking hydrated and plump.
Belotero
Belotero is a hyaluronic acid-based filler that is smooth, thin, and flexible, allowing it to blend into the skin seamlessly to diminish fine lines and wrinkles and create a natural-looking plumping effect. Belotero is typically injected around the nasolabial folds (smile lines or laugh lines), vertical lip lines, and under the eyes. Belotero fillers can last around 6 to 12 months.
Juvederm
The Juvederm family is comprised of five different types of hyaluronic acid-based fillers. Juvederm Voluma XC restores volume and elasticity to the cheeks and chin, contouring and lifting the areas to provide enhancement of hollows and facial sagging. Juvederm Volbella is a thin, spreadable filler used to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles, tear troughs, and lips. Juvederm Vollure is typically injected along the nasolabial folds to smooth out the appearance of creases and fine lines. Juvederm Ultra is ideal for restoring volume and filling mild to moderate nasolabial folds and marionette lines, while Juvederm Ultra Plus XC treats more severe nasolabial folds and marionette lines. Juvederm fillers typically last around 9 to 12 months, except Juvederm Vollure which lasts up to 18 months.
Restylane
Restylane is a hyaluronic acid filler used to correct deep creases and fine lines to restore facial volume across various areas of the face. Restylane and Restylane-L restore volume around the oral commissures, nasolabial folds, and under-eye areas. Restylane Lyft treats facial hollows around the cheeks and deep facial folds in the nasolabial area. Restylane Kysse and Restylane Silk are designed to improve upper lip lines and add volume to lips for luscious, natural-looking results. Restylane and Restylane-L last around 6 to 9 months, and Restylane Kysse for lips last 9 to 12 months. Both Restylane Lyft and Restylane Silk last up to one year.
Radiesse
Radiesse is an injectable filler that restores facial volume by stimulating the body’s collagen production. Radiesse is formulated with calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHa) microspheres that immediately fill deep folds and creases once injected. These microspheres create a supportive scaffolding to allow for collagen to be synthesized. As the microspheres are absorbed into the body, collagen production will still continue to replenish the volume lost in the area. Radiesse is typically injected around the nose, mouth, jawline, and cheekbones, with results lasting up to two years after injection.
Sculptra
Sculptra is another collagen-stimulating filler used to correct depressions, hollows, and skin folds along the face. Its active ingredient, Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), works deep in the skin to encourage collagen production and growth in the body. Sculptra can be used to restore volume in sunken cheeks and temples, acne scars, jowls, nasolabial folds, chin dimples, and jawline. Typically, three to four treatment sessions are required, each about one month apart; results can last up to two years afterward.
Dermal fillers are commonly combined with Botox injections to achieve natural-looking pan-facial rejuvenation. Botox is the brand name of botulinum toxin type A, which is derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. When injected, Botox prevents the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter, from reaching the muscle and causing it to contract. This effectively “freezes” the muscles of facial expressions to prevent the formation of dynamic wrinkles and lines. Botox can be injected around the forehead, glabella (frown lines), crow’s feet (lines around the eye), neck, upper lip, and frown lines around the mouth. Botox injections cannot be dissolved and last for three to four months before being broken down and absorbed into the body.
How do you dissolve dermal filler naturally?
All dermal fillers will leave the body naturally over time as the body metabolizes the components of the filler. Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Belotero, Juvederm, and Restylane are typically absorbed by the body within 6-12 months, depending on the makeup and durability of the specific filler and the body’s metabolism. Since hyaluronic acid is a sugar compound naturally produced in the body, an enzyme called hyaluronidase can break it down into smaller sugar molecules and absorb it into the body.
Radiesse and Sculptra have different mechanisms of action on the body and are thus absorbed into the body differently than hyaluronic acid fillers. Radiesse is formulated with calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHa) microspheres that are broken down into calcium and phosphate ions to be absorbed into the body. The active ingredient in Sculptra, a chemical called Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), is first broken down into lactic acid molecules and then carbon dioxide and water. Even after Radiesse and Sculptra are degraded in the body, collagen production continues to increase to produce visible results for around two years.
Can you dissolve dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers that are hyaluronic acid-based, such as Belotero, Juvederm, and Restylane, can be dissolved with hyaluronidase injections. Hyaluronic acid is a compound comprising a linear chain of polysaccharides, or multiple sugar molecules, attached to each other. Hyaluronidase is a naturally occurring enzyme that dissolves the bonds between the sugar molecules in this chain, allowing the body to absorb the smaller, broken-up molecules. Hyaluronidase works immediately and acts on the body for only 24-48 hours. Once the swelling from the initial injections has subsided, the reduced appearance of the filler will be visible. The effect of the hyaluronidase on the filler can vary greatly, as fillers can settle or integrate in different ways underneath the skin. For instance, superficial lumps created by lip fillers are generally very easy to dissolve, while larger nodules or wider filler areas may need multiple sessions to dissolve. Different fillers have varying durability and hyaluronic acid concentrations, leading to several hyaluronidase treatment sessions to dissolve the filler completely.
The two fillers that cannot be dissolved are Radiesse and Sculptra. Once injected, Radiesse and Sculptra jump-start the body’s natural collagen production. If individual nodules are created from the injections, they can be removed by a plastic surgeon; however, if an individual is unhappy with the overall volume increase from these two dermal fillers, they will have to wait roughly two years for the collagen production to subside. To avoid an unwanted appearance from any injectable, it is best to consult an expert injector such as Dr. Green. In your consultation, she will assess your cosmetic goals and use her “less is more” philosophy to create a youthful appearance with natural-looking fillers.
Where to buy natural dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers found online or in a store are not guaranteed to be safe and should not be purchased, as these can contain harmful products that can lead to an allergic reaction, infection, or skin cell death. Dermal fillers are FDA-approved for cosmetic use and are treated as medical products. Filler injections should be completed in a medical setting by a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist or a plastic surgeon with the experience and expertise to use each filler safely.
Do cheek fillers look natural?
Yes, cheek fillers can provide long-lasting and natural-looking results when injected. The most popular cheek fillers include the Juvederm Voluma, Radiesse, and Sculptra. When injected, these fillers will restore volume to the midface, lift sagging skin, and smooth any fine lines and wrinkles along the skin. Additionally, Radiesse and Sculptra will promote collagen production in the area for long-lasting enhancement.
How to get started with natural-looking dermal fillers
Dermal fillers can result in a natural-looking, youthful appearance when injected properly. Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Belotero, Juvederm, and Restylane will replenish the skin’s volume and fill in any lines, creases, or folds to smooth out the skin. Collagen-stimulating fillers such as Radiesse and Sculptra will help your body produce natural collagen for long-lasting rejuvenation. After assessing your skin, Dr. Green can determine which type of filler will be right for you, using her less-is-more philosophy to address your cosmetic concerns without using excessive filler. Dr. Green has been consistently recognized as one of the best dermatologists in New York by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, and Super Doctors. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Green has helped some of the most discerning men and women worldwide feel like the absolute best version of themselves through non-invasive cosmetic procedures such as dermal filler injections. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Green and start creating your individualized dermal filler treatment plan for skin rejuvenation today, please call our office at 212-535-3088 or contact us online.