Restylane®

Restylane® is an FDA-approved gel dermal filler containing hyaluronic acid (HA). No prior allergy testing is required as the hyaluronic acid used is not from animal sources but from tissue cultivated in the laboratory.  Originally developed in Sweden, Restylane® is marketed in the United States by Medicis Pharmaceuticals.

Restylane® is available in several different forms, all containing the same chemical compounds but differing in terms of the size of their particles.  Smaller particle formulations are designed to eliminate fine wrinkles and larger ones for softening deeper creases: Restylane® Touch (finest particles for injection in the supper layers to correct fine lines and wrinkles), Restylane® Perlane (largest particles for deep creases and folds or lip enhancement), Restylane® SubQ (for deeper injection to enhance cheekbones, cheeks, and chins).

The NASHA™ (Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid) technology used in Restylane helps maintain the cosmetic effect for an extended period.  The effects generally last for about 6 months, depending of the area of the face and on the individual.

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Radiesse®

Radiesse® is a non-toxic, non-allergenic, biocompatible cosmetic filler used to treat wrinkles and skin folds around the nose and mouth, including nasolabial folds.

Like ArteFill®, this dermal filler contains small microspheres (particles) of calcium hydroxylapatite suspended in a gel solution. There is no need for an allergy test prior injections since calcium hydroxylapatite is a substance naturally found in the body.  The microspheres also stimulate natural collagen growth. 

Radiesse® is FDA-approved to treat oral and maxillofacial defects, vocal cord deficiencies, and for the treatment of facial lipoatrophy (facial wasting) in patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).  It can also be used as an alternative to implant surgery, providing augmentation to a patient’s nose, cheeks, or chin.

Radiesse® was approved by the FDA in December 2006 for long-term facial esthetic enhancement.  It is marketed in the US by BioForm Medical, of San Mateo, California. Proven 2-month benefits have been shown in multiple clinical studies, and in many cases the effects can last up to two years.

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Sculptra®

Sculptra® is a poly-L-lactic acid injectible facial filler approved by the FDA for restoration and/or correction of the signs of facial fat loss (lipoatrophy) in people with human immunodeficiency virus.  It is a safe, synthetic, biocompatible material that is injected below the surface of the skin into the areas of fat loss.

The effects are not immediate, but over time Sculptra® is absorbed into the lower layers of the skin and provides a gradual and significant increase in skin thickness, improving the appearance of folds and sunken areas.  Because it is not formulated using human or animal products it has little or no risk of allergic reactions, and no pre-testing is required.

The effects have been shown in clinical studies to last up to two years.

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Zyderm®, Zyplast®

Zyderm® and Zyplast® are injectable dermal fillers formulated using highly purified collagen from bovine (cow) sources.  Because these fillers are animal based and some people may have allergic reactions, a pre-treatment skin test is required 28 days before treatment.  They are manufactured by INAMED and have been used safely since the 980s on wrinkles varying from fine lines to deep creases. Results generally last from three to six months.

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