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Various kinds of safe, natural and man-made materials are used as dermal fillers; these have been specifically developed over the years for use in the skin.
Two kinds of dermal fillers are usually suggested for the face: semi-permanent and non-permanent.The semi-permanent type (e.g. Radiesse and Sculptra) lasts up to 18 mont hs.The non-permanent fillers, such as, Hyaluronic Acid (HA) derived Hydra Fill and Restylane, last for around 6-12 months, depending upon the the site of application and the formulation of the material used.
Bovine (cow) collagen, the first approved filler, lasts about two to six months before being reabsorbed into the skin, and so must be re-injected fairly often to maintain the appearance. And some people may be allergic to it, so allergy testing is necessary.
Hyaluronic acid, approved a few years ago lasts longer; it breaks down harmlessly in the body after six months to a year, and is less likely to cause allergic reactions.
Sculptra & Radiesse , the latest generation of fillers containing synthetic materials, work by enhancing volume or act as a scaffold for the body’s own collagen. Such fillers are considered semi-permanent because their effects may last for several years.
Artefill – made from non-degradable beads suspended in bovine collagen—is the first permanent filler approved by the US FDA for filling in certain facial creases.
Side effects
Though serious ones are rare , all fillers have potential risks, including allergic reactions, bleeding, swelling, redness, bruising, bumps, scarring, infections.
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