Types of Dermal Fillers: Complete Guide

Dermal fillers are used to touch up facial features, rejuvenate them, and improve the overall feel and look of the skin. They are usually considered nonsurgical cosmetic procedures as dermal fillers are deployed through injections.

As the procedure is nonsurgical and quick, the recovery time is usually short, making injectable dermal fillers a great choice for those who want their skin to look more youthful and to plump up facial wrinkles. Additionally, injectable dermal fillers, when compared to other cosmetic enhancement procedures, are relatively inexpensive.

Due to these factors, dermal fillers have become immensely popular. In turn, there has been a lot of research and development performed to create different and more effective types that would improve results, reduce pain, and make procedures even cheaper.

What are the types of dermal fillers?

There are many different types of dermal fillers, albeit most of them are injectable. In general, injectable fillers can be separated into two types - synthetic and natural. It should be noted, however, that both of them simply indicate the source and neither is inherently better than the other.

Synthetic dermal fillers usually involve manmade materials such as hyaluronic acid. Natural dermal fillers, on the other hand, are usually extracted from the same person (such as body fat). One of the most popular procedures for natural injectable fillers is autologous fat injections, which involve getting body fat from some area of the body, purifying it, and then injecting it into certain areas of the face. It does require surgery, however, so it’s used less frequently.

While there aren’t that many natural dermal fillers in frequent use, there’s quite a few synthetic ones that are popular among beauty professionals.

Hyaluronic acid (HA)

Likely one of the most popular skin treatment solutions in general as hyaluronic acid is widely used in various procedures and as a supplement. As a dermal filler, hyaluronic acid serves largely the same purpose - improves skin hydration and gives it volume. Injections usually last from 6 months to a year.

Hyaluronic acid is used to solve these skin irregularities:

• Acne scars.
• Cheek depressions.
• Frown lines.
• Worry lines.
• Giving the lip border more definition.
• Marionette lines (at the corners of the mouth).
• Crow’s feet (usually apparent at the corner of the eyes).

Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA)

Calcium hydroxylapatite is a mineral form of calcium, usually found in human bones. Converted into an injectable dermal filler, it fills out certain facial features, making it perfect for fixing deeper and larger facial wrinkles.

CaHA has been previously widely used in dentistry and reconstructive surgery, so it has a long track record of safety and efficacy. Additionally, these dermal fillers are biosynthetically produced, meaning they are made in a lab instead of being extracted from animals, making  calcium hydroxylapatite sustainable and eco friendly.

It is widely used for:

• Moderate-to-severe facial wrinkles such as frown or marionette lines.
• Enhancing the volume of the cheeks.
• Improve volume in facial areas affected by wasting diseases.

Polyalkylimide

One of the few semi-permanent dermal fillers available, so it’s usually used with greater caution than usual, mostly by seasoned plastic surgeons. Luckily, it’s also highly compatible with human tissue, making it less prone to unexpected reactions. An allergy test, as such, is not required.

Additionally, it’s one of the more stable dermal fillers due to how it works. After injecting some volume, collagen slowly forms around the site until the material is completely surrounded.

As an injectable dermal filler, it is often used for:

• Plumping thin lips.
• Treating deep facial wrinkles.
• Treating facial wasting due to diseases.
• Enhancing cheeks and the jawline.

Poly-l-lactic acid

One of the few dermal fillers that acts as a growth stimulant, improving your own natural collagen production. Poly-l-lactic acid was initially used for sutures, but is now more often deployed in cosmetic enhancement procedures.  Additionally, poly-l-lactic acid is biodegradable and non-toxic, giving it a great safety profile.

Yet, poly-l-lactic acid does have drawbacks. Due to it stimulating natural collagen production, the effects are not immediate. Rather, they appear over the course of several months and necessitate a few treatments to get the desired results.

Poly-l-lactic acid is most often used in the lower part of the face and, as such, is commonly used for:

• Improving laugh lines.
• Plumping thin lips.
• Treating nasolabial folds.

Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres (PMMA)

PMMA is another semi-permanent dermal filler that’s used to treat deep wrinkles and folds. Sometimes it may also be used to fill out pitted scars or thin lips.

It’s often used when hyaluronic acid or natural collagen synthesis stimulation is not optimal and a more permanent solution is required. PMMA is fairly close to permanent surgical enhancement and, as such, produces strong results that stay for a long time.

Like polylactic acid, however, due to the permanent effects of PMMA, it may require several visits to a specialist to get the desired results. Most surgeons will likely underfill during the initial visits due to the permanent nature of PMMA.

PMMA is widely used to:

• Plump and enhance lips.
• Treat deep wrinkles and scars.
• Enhance certain facial features.

Autologous fat grafting

One of the few dermal fillers that require an actual surgery as fat is harnessed from various body parts to be purified for later use. Autologous fat grafting basically surgically moves fat in order to enhance facial features. Luckily, the effects are extremely long lasting, so few surgeries will be required.

It is widely used to:

• Enhance cheeks and lower eyelids.
• Restore volume to temples.

How should dermal fillers be used?

It is highly recommended to book a visit with a dermatologist (and a surgeon, if needed) before using any dermal filler. While these “off-the-shelf” dermal fillers such as hyaluronic acid are safe and rarely create side effects, these procedures still need to be performed by a professional. Additionally, a dermatologist will be able to recommend specific fillers based on your skin and needs.

Always invest some time into researching a clinic or institution that will perform an injection. Dermal filler usage falls under medical procedures (in most countries) and, as such, require specific skills and certifications.

Most procedures will require a single visit and relatively little of your time, so it’s quite easy to fit a booking into most schedules. For those that require repeat visits, be sure to set some time aside to get the desired results from your dermal filler injections.

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