Cosmetic Skin Fillers - Lift Again?

Filling much media coverage lately, appearing everywhere from CNN to new local stations. They are presented as the "new face wash" because they are an alternative to traditional plastic surgery.

But what exactly are these procedures? How they work and what risks do they bring? Let's take a look at the fillers.

What's in a name?

Filling get their name because they are used to fill certain areas of the skin (dermis) for cosmetic purposes. Basically, the substances injected into the skin - usually face - to smooth wrinkles and gives the face look younger and richer. In medical circles, this procedure is also called "volumizing face," which refers to the goal of adding volume to the patient's face.

Commonly used products

You've probably heard of collagen injections lips. Collagen is one of several fillers used for these purposes. Although often associated with improvement of the lips, it can also be used on the face in general.

We have a truly natural collagen layer between the skin and lining of tissues. With advancing age, however, collagen levels decrease, and this leads to the expressio
"buried" on his face. Cosmetic surgeons can inject collagen products (made from either cow or human donor), in order to increase the volume of the patient's face. So, "volumizing face." Term

Restylane (R) and Radiesse (R) are other products that are now commonly used in the United States. The "r" in parentheses is the registered trademark, by the way. Unlike collagen, which is a natural substance, both Restylane and Radiesse are the property of the products. Let's look at each in more detail.

* Radiesse is a dermal filler used for aesthetic reasons. The product is designed to smooth facial wrinkles and give the face a fuller, younger. It is manufactured by BioForm Medical, Inc. The FDA approved Radiesse for use in the United States in December 2006. Since then it has become very popular as a product to cover the skin. Like most of the burdens of the skin, the effects of Radiesse are temporary and are said to last up to six months.

* Restylane is manufactured by Q-Med. The FDA approved the product for use in the United States back in 2003. The main ingredient in Restylane is hyaluronic acid. It is also a temporary treatment to reduce wrinkles that are typically used in the nose and mouth.

Thinking and research

Although they can not produce the long-term effects of a facelift, dermal fillers has some obvious advantages. For one thing, non-surgical treatments with very little downtime (compared to a facelift).

That said, there are potential risks associated with these and other "skin filler" products. So if you are considering a cosmetic dermal filler procedure, you owe it to yourself to do a lot of research before making a final decision. Start by locating and comparing the different products that are available these days. Look objective, whenever possible. Visit the FDA and to read the notes on each product approval.

Then, if and when you choose an expert to perform the procedure, be sure to ask lots of questions. To ask how long the doctor has used the product, and that kind of success that they (and their patients) have experienced. Take time to read as much as possible, and make a wise decision.