Choosing the Right Fillers and Wrinkle Relaxers for Skin Rejuvenation in Pittsburgh
When thinking about dermal fillers, you may be familiar with the brands Juvederm® and Restylane® treatment, but what you may not be familiar with are the different compounds of dermal fillers available and their uses. This is important to understand when choosing the best dermal filler treatment for you. The most common types include:
- Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA)
- Hyaluronic acid (HA)
- Polyalkylimide
- Polylactic acid (PLLA)
- Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres (PMMA)
When considering which formulation best suits your desired outcome, it’s ultimately the treatment area that will lead to the right choice for your needs. For instance, the filler used to give you fuller lips may not be the same filler used for more a defined chin or cheekbones. Each chemical makeup differs in longevity and varying degrees of softness.
As a helpful resource, our expert team of physician assistants have compiled explanations and uses for each of the major types of dermal fillers.
Smooth Wrinkles & Fine Lines With Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA)
Calcium hydroxylapatite is a mineral-like compound that develops naturally in human bones and is biosynthetically produced. This type of dermal filler is known to produce a very natural result that will not migrate, and side effects are rare. It’s a popular wrinkle relaxer in the world of beauty.
Calcium hydroxylapatite is used to:
- Enhance fullness of the cheeks
- Give a more structured appearance of facial contours
- Improve the appearance of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds as approved by the FDA
- Perfect for smoothing creases such as nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and frown lines
- Replace facial volume lost due to age or from HIV medications
This dermal filler was initially used in dentistry and reconstructive surgery and has a long-standing safety record. With it being biosynthetically produced, this means that no animal products are used in its development. What’s more, your risk of an allergic reaction is low, so no skin testing is required. CaHA is definitely top-of-the line in the world of cosmetic wrinkle relaxers.
Plump Skin With Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
Much like calcium hydroxylapatite, hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in your body, with high concentrations found in soft connective tissues and the fluid surrounding the eyes. Because of its ability to hold a thousand times its weight in water, it’s become one of the most popular kinds of injectable fillers due to its versatility. Both Restylane® fillers and Juvederm® treatment use specific formulations of hyaluronic acid to work their magic.
Hyaluronic acid is primarily used to:
- Redefine the lip border and add fullness to the lips
- Improve the skin’s contour and overall facial volume
- Reduce the appearance of scars such as burns, acne, and those caused by wounds
- Smooth the appearance of expression lines such as crow’s feet, frown lines, and more
- Rejuvenate hands by improving volume loss on the back of hands
Over time, the HA that occurs naturally in your body breaks down. In a similar way, your body will break these fillers down just as it does its own HA, making it a temporary dermal filler product.
HA dermal fillers do vary in volume, and depending on the treatment areas, one product may be better suited over another and our medical staff will discuss your aesthetic goals with you and make recommendations to best suit your individual needs.
Polyalkylimide Offers Serious Wrinkle Fighting Power
Polyalkylimide hydrogel is a semi-permanent dermal filler that is thought to be quite stable over time; it actually holds up so well that it can often be removed at a later date. When injected, a thin layer of collagen will slowly form around the gel at the injection site until it is surrounded; this typically happens over the course of a month or so.
Polyalkylimide is used to:
- Treat deeper wrinkles, such as nasolabial folds
- Treat depressed scars such as those caused by acne
- Plump thin lips
- Enhance the structure of cheekbones and the jawline
- Replace facial volume lost due to age or from HIV medications
Polyalkylimide is known to be biocompatible; with very little reaction within human tissue, no allergy test is required.
Enhance Facial Volume With Polylactic Acid (PLLA)
Polylactic acid is a synthetic, bio-stimulatory dermal filler that triggers your body’s production of collagen at the site of injection; results appear gradually over a few months.
Polylactic acid is used to:
- Fill the appearance of expression lines
- Plump thin lips
- Create structure and add overall volume to the face
- Treat lipoatrophy (thinning of the fat pads on the face/cheek area) associated with HIV, as approved by the FDA
- Alter and enhance facial contours
- Improve the appearance of nasolabial folds and other facial wrinkles as approved by the FDA
Due to the nature of this substance and the way it performs, PLLA is considered semi-permanent, and you will likely need multiple treatments to achieve your desired results. Each treatment re-stimulates your body’s ability to produce collagen in that specific treatment area and can take four to six weeks to see the full effect.
Polymethyl-methacrylate Microspheres (PMMA) Dermal Fillers
Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres are considered a semi-permanent filler and are often used instead of collagen replacement therapy or hyaluronic therapy in instances where a more permanent solution is desired.
Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres are used to:
- Treat medium to deep wrinkles, folds, and furrows
- Augment thin lips
- Fill the appearance of atrophic acne scars on the cheeks; PMMA is the only FDA-approved injectable filler for acne scars
Similar to PLLA, the microspheres containing PMMA trigger a collagen production response, meaning results will be gradual and may take some time to be noticeable. However, unlike PLLA, results with PMMA can last up to five years and may require fewer visits to achieve desired results.
Dermal Fillers Offer Versatile Options for Every Desired Outcome
As you can see, dermal fillers differ greatly and offer quite a bit of versatility. For many patients, dermal fillers offer a much less invasive option to achieve their desired aesthetic results all in a matter of a few visits.
Here at Cosmetic Laser Centers, we offer high-quality Botox®, Dysport®, Restylane® fillers, and Juvederm® in Pittsburgh, along with other dermal fillers and wrinkle relaxers.
Selecting the appropriate treatment for you and your unique needs is our top priority. That’s why our highly trained, licensed physician assistants offer one-on-one consultations to create the best treatment plan for you.
Schedule Your Consultation with Our Cosmetic Treatment Providers in Pittsburgh
We have two locations for you to choose from, one in Pittsburgh, PA and one in Warrendale, PA – both convenient to Cranberry, Wexford, and Robinson Township. Pick whichever location is most suitable for you, and book your consultation or appointment online with us today.
Or, if you prefer to call to make your appointment, you can reach our Pittsburgh location by calling 412-788-1331 or our Warrendale location by calling 724-269-2763. We’re happy to help!