Every year, Americans spend millions of dollars on anti-aging products in their unwavering quest to look younger. But treating stubborn wrinkles and fine lines often require more help than is available at the cosmetics counter. In the last few years, several new skin fillers have received approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating facial wrinkles and are safe and effective options for combating aging skin.

The trend towards a more natural appearance has led to an explosion in the field of cosmetic fillers. While a filler will not replace the need for a facelift, there are numerous applications of cosmetic fillers that create a subtle, beautiful and natural appearance. Cosmetic fillers can correct hollowness around the eyes, add fullness to thin lips, or balance a disproportionate face. They can be used to restore fullness that is naturally lost as fat diminishes from the face with aging, or can be used to create stronger features such as prominent cheekbones or a more angled jaw line. These cosmetic fillers range from temporary (lasting a few weeks or months) to semi-permanent (6-12 months) to permanent. They are derived from animal sources, donated human sources or are completely synthetic. Some are injected, some are surgically implanted, and the range in cost for one treatment can vary between a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. In your quest for a beautiful, natural-appearing here are some facts to improve your knowledge of cosmetic fillers.

The simplest and least expensive method of facial contouring is by the use of a temporary, injectable filler. The injection of temporary fillers is performed in the office, with or without a topical anesthetic or nerve block, and the procedure takes about 5 to 15 minutes. Collagen is the old favorite, with Zyderm and Zyplast being the most commonly used brand of collagen. This product typically lasts from 2 to 4 months. A skin test is required prior to injection of collagen since about 4% of the population will have an allergic reaction to the bovine (cow) collagen.

The newest and most exciting additions to the line-up of temporary, injectable fillers are Restylane and it’s thicker counterpart, Perlane. Both are made from hyaluronic acid, a substance that naturally creates volume in the skin. Since this product does not involve the use of foreign substances, allergies are extremely rare and a skin test is not required. Additionally, the results last about twice as long as collagen, and in some instances, Restylane and Perlane can last for up to 12 months.

Before considering any skin filler treatment, Dr. Kendall recommends that patients understand the following :

1. Are the fillers permanent or temporary?

2. What are the potential side effects?

3. Is the filler approved by the FDA for this use?

4. How many patients has the physician treated?