Types of facial fillers that exist – Face volume – Hyaluronic acid
Fillers are organic and synthetic substances that are implanted by making intradermal injections, to correct the effects of aging and give volume to certain facial areas.
There is a wide variety of products, each with its own characteristics and applicability that must be precisely known: some of them have more volumizing effect, others more tightening effect, etc. In a very simplified way, we can classify the fillers as follows:
According to its duration in the tissue, temporary (autologous fat, hyaluronic acid, and collagen), semi-permanent (calcium hydroxyapatite and polylacti acid), and permanent (polyacrylamide gel, polymethylmethacrylate, and silicone). Absorbable fillers, due to their better safety profile, are the most widely used.
According to its composition
Autologous fat of the patient himself, collagen (bovine, porcine and human), hyaluronic acid, polylactic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite, polymethylmethacrylate, and polyacrylamide gels.
According to its degree of crosslinking
It consists of chemical modification of the products (especially applicable to hyaluronic acid) to achieve a three-dimensional network of polymers, acquiring the most rigid substance. Thus, natural hyaluronic acid will be more fluid and volatile, while greater crosslinking will achieve greater thickness and durability.
The indication of the product in its natural or cross-linked form will vary according to the effect we want to achieve: for a hydration or volume effect, hyaluronic acid is used without cross-linking, which stimulates the fibroblast and the injection is done at a shallow depth; instead, for a tightening and filling effect, cross-linked hyaluronic acid is used to correct wrinkles and lack of volume, injecting it deeper (in the middle dermis, deep dermis, or subcutaneously).