Kosmet Med 2014. 35(1): 12 – 17

Fillers on the market

Ilaria Ghersetich, Lara Tripo

 

Key words: Skin rejuvenation, dermal fillers, hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite, poly-l-lactic acid

Summary:
The improvement of skin appearance, by restoring lost contours and volumes and treating muscular relaxation, has long been the principal goal of facial aesthetic medicine. The use of injectable materials within soft tissues has greatly increased in recent years. Hyaluronic acid fillers represent a classic example. These fillers vary widely in physical and chemical characteristics and in their correct positioning in the dermis, influencing the desired aesthetic result. In several of these compounds has also been added, within the pre-filled syringe, some anesthetic (lidocaine) to reduce the discomfort connected to the injection technique. Other fillers commonly used are made of calcium hydroxyapatite and poly-l-lactic acid. They have a long lasting effect and are highly biocompatible. In general, the ideal filler should be biocompatible, should not cause any inflammation or granuloma formation and should be durable over time. Nowadays there is no filler that encompasses all of these features, in fact all the compounds above mentioned may be responsible for the onset of adverse events. Therefore, the knowledge of the physico-chemical characteristics of the products can help the dermatologist, along with his / her personal experience, choosing the most suitable filler to be injected in order to achieve the result desired by the patient, reducing downtime and related morbidity.