Dermal Fillers At Skin Savvy | The Complete Guide

What it does: Juvéderm is a family of Hyaluronic Acid-based fillers designed to add volume in various parts of the face. For instance, Juvéderm Voluma is used to add back youthful contours to the cheeks and jawline, smooth moderate-to-deep lines around your nose and mouth, while Juvéderm Volbella is best used to soften vertical lip lines and add the desired volume to the pout. Though not completely painless, most HA fillers are infused with the anesthetic lidocaine to minimize discomfort during and after treatment.

How it works: The main ingredient in Juvéderm is hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring sugar found in the body that gives the skin moisture, volume, and elasticity. As HA gets depleted with age, skin loses volume and wrinkles are more likely to appear. When injected, HA acts like a sponge to attract water into the skin. As a result, it plumps up the area in which it was injected. 

How long it lasts: Depending on the material the effects of Juvéderm can last from 6 months to 18 months before the body gradually absorbs the material. For example, Juvéderm Voluma can last up to 24 months, while Juvéderm Vobella normally gets absorbed in around 12 months.

What it does: Similar to Juvéderm, Restylane dermal fillers are designed to treat various skin concerns such as lines and wrinkles, as well as volume loss. Restylane is commonly used to add volume to thin lips, correct severe wrinkles and folds like the nasolabial folds, as well as volume loss in the cheeks. It’s also FDA approved to add fullness to the backs of the hands.

How it works: Restylane family of products is another line that relies on the immediate smoothing ability of hyaluronic acid. Injections may also stimulate natural collagen production, so fewer touch-ups may be needed and less material necessary when they are.

How long it lasts: Results in the cheeks last up to a year and up to 6 months in wrinkles and folds. Results in the lips most commonly last up to 6 months.

What it does:  Restylane “Kysse” is Galderma’s newest hyaluronic acid lip filler. Restylane Kysse can subtly enhance the fullness of the lip body and add definition to the border to create soft, natural-looking lips. Lips appear revitalized as wrinkles are filled out and also become soft, supple and rehydrated. A lip treatment can also result in a correction of a sad mouth corner or make an irregular upper lip more balanced!

How it works: Restylane family of products is another line that relies on the immediate smoothing ability of hyaluronic acid. Restylane Kysse has been specially developed to softly integrate into the sensitive lip tissue and has been proven to cause little swelling.

How long it lasts: Created with Optimal Balance Technology, Restylane Kysse provides long-lasting results for the lips, proven to last for 6-9 months, and some effects have also been seen at 12 months.

What it does: Sculptra, also known as the “liquid facelift”, works by both filling in lines and wrinkles and by stimulating the body to produce new collagen and underlying tissue, thereby creating a fuller, more youthful appearance. Sculptra is a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment with downtime that is minimal.

How it works: Sculptra is an injectable liquid made of Poly-L-Lactic Acid. It’s the synthetic form of lactic acid, which your body produces naturally following regular exercise. Sculptra acts as a bio-activator and a powerful collagen stimulator! In this way, Sculptra is not providing the filling action in itself, instead, it causes a reaction in the skin, which encourages your body to form new collagen. This process happens gradually, allowing for beautiful, natural-looking results.

How long it lasts: In a clinical study published in 2011, the effects of Sculptra lasted up to two years after the first treatment session was completed (an average of three injections).