Dermal Filler

Dermal filler has been available on the market since 1981 when bovine collagen was introduced. The benefits of the dermal filler were immediately apparent as injections under the skin smoothed fine lines and small scars. It was marketed under the name Zyderm 1©. Treatment of deeper wrinkles and larger scars was not as effective. The dermal filler also had the potential for allergic reaction which required skin testing prior to treatment. The effect lasted about 3 months. This necessitated frequent treatments with mixed results.

As the baby boom generation aged, the demand for better dermal fillers to arrest the appearance of aging spurred an industry growth. The need was for dermal filler that was more consistent in its results and longer lasting. With busy lives came the need for quicker treatments as well. Also, dermal filler is injected into or under the skin and so researchers looked for ways to alleviate the pain associated with this procedure. Research over the next decade provided some successes such as better and longer lasting effects. Still, dermal fillers were painful to inject and the treatments still required testing for allergies. Even though the effects of dermal filler could last as long as 6 months, the treatments were still a frequent occurrence for patients. However, recently there have been great advances in the field of dermal filler technology.

In 2003, the FDA approved the first human derived dermal filler thus eliminating the need for allergy testing and allowing the patient to go straight to treatment. All previous incarnations of dermal filler were bovine derived and so this was a great advance for patients and practitioners alike. Also, the new dermal fillers were infused with lidocaine making the injections less painful. However, also approved in 2003 was another type of dermal filler. While not containing lidocaine, this type emerged as the leading choice and for good reason.

Restylane© is a dermal filler that contains hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid, whether it comes from humans or animals, is identical. This eliminates the concern about allergies. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body. It also binds to water. This creates a softer and more natural look. Dermal fillers that contain hyaluronic acid also have greater longevity. These benefits, along with medical considerations for the practitioner, have made dermal fillers like Restylane and Perlane the treatment of choice by patients. These dermal fillers show great and longer lasting improvements for the deeper wrinkles and scars. Lip and cheek augmentation with these products are also popular although Perlane is usually the choice by doctors for lip augmentation. Perlane and Restylane are identical except that Perlane has larger gel particles. This type of dermal filler also comes with the added benefit of easy corrections or adjustments to treatments. This makes it especially attractive to patients and doctors alike.

Dermal fillers containing hyaluronic acid are the clear choice for many today that need effective, natural looking treatment that lasts. While the other treatments with bovine collagen and similar products are still available, the consistent performances of dermal fillers such as Restylane have the most benefits.