Dermal fillers are
versatile tools for
perfecting facial
contours—but they
are not without risk.
By Andrea Sercu
26 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 | MedEsthetics
INJECTABLES ACCOUNT FOR MORE THAN HALF of the
minimally invasive procedures performed today. Before Restylane (Medicis,
restylaneusa.com), the first non-animal-based hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal
filler, was introduced in the United States in 2003, botulinum toxin was
the most popular injectable in aesthetic medicine. Today, Botox has taken
a backseat in growth to HA injections, which have increased to more than
1.3 million procedures per year.
As the demand for fillers has increased, so too has the number of
available materials. Finding the right dermal filler is a little like choosing the
right brush if you're a painter or selecting the best clay for your project if
you're a sculptor. A free-flowing hyaluronic acid gel may be the perfect
tool for painting a plumper lip, while a thicker filler with a higher molecular
weight may serve you best for adding definition to the chin or cheekbones.
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