WHICH FILLERS ARE THE SAFEST
MOST people who have fillers don’t seem to ask — or remember being told — what brand was used. But it is always worth knowing. The most common are temporary hyaluronic acid (HA) gels, the best-known being Juvederm and Restylane. Teosyal, Hylaform and Belotero are also widely used.
These last for six to 18 months before the body breaks them down. Exactly how long they last depends on how much was injected and the metabolism of the patient — some people’s bodies appear to break down fillers much faster.
Hyaluronic acid fillers come in different densities for different tasks — and that affects how long they last, too. A runny gel that works well in the lips doesn’t have the staying power of a thicker gel that builds volume mid-face or strengthens the jawline.
You may also be offered a so-called ‘stimulating’ filler, such as Sculptra, Ellansé or Radiesse. Although temporary, these last longer than hyaluronic acid fillers — two years — and contain a second substance that stimulates skin to create supportive collagen. You may feel this is a more economical option, given that they last longer, but if you don’t like the results, you’ll also have to wait longer for the filler to be absorbed by the body.
Finally, if you are offered permanent fillers, say ‘no’. You don’t want anything injected into your face that will stay for good.
Permanent fillers might appear a great idea — no need to go back each year for a top-up! So much cheaper! But the potential problems are huge. With anything that is injected into your face, there is always a risk the body will, at some point, decide it doesn’t like this foreign material and ‘encapsulate’ it, growing collagen around it in a hard lump to shut it off from the rest of your skin tissue. If that happens, the only way to remove the growth and the original filler is to have it surgically removed.
Encapsulation isn’t the only problem. As your face changes over the years, and some parts of it sag and descend, the blob of permanent filler may no longer be exactly where you want it to be. So avoid permanent fillers — particularly in your lips.