Cosmetic fillers (also called dermal fillers or injectable fillers) are used to treat wrinkles, crow's feet and fine lines on the face. From collagen to hyaluronic acid, Juvederm to Restylane, dermal fillers are becoming a more popular anti-aging treatment procedure with women and men. Because they are considered less invasive than traditional cosmetic surgeries, they are sometimes referred to as a liquid face lift.

Information on Restylane, Juvederm

Facial fillers or injectables are injected directly into wrinkles, lines, crow's feet or frown lines. Done correctly, by a good cosmetic surgeon or licensed health practitioner, different types of wrinkle fillers can help the skin stay smoother and look better and younger for several months to over a year. But skin rejuvenation does not come cheaply. The cost of dermal fillers depends on the number of syringes used and the type of facial filler. Some areas of the face, for example the forehead, the eyes, around the mouth and the neck may require more attention. Some of the cosmetic fillers are being used more commonly.

Restylane ® - Restylane is a hyaluronic acid filler. Hyaluronic acid is a type of lubricating gel that is also used in injectables. The hyaluronic acid in Restylane is a man-made material. Restylane is made by the company which makes Perlane (see below). Restylane, like all anti-aging wrinkle fillers, gets injected right into the wrinkles. Like the other injectable fillers Juvederm or Captique, results can last for several months. Restylane dermal filler can cost from $500-$800 per syringe.

Juvederm or Juvéderm ® - Juvederm is made of hyaluronic acid. Juvederm can cost from $500-$800 per syringe. Juvederm wrinkle filler was developed by the company that makes Botox. Botox, of course, is also used to treat lines and wrinkles, although it works on a different principle.

Juvederm and Restylane temporarily increase volume, and are being used for lines around the mouth, forehead, eyes and neck, as well as the nose and mouth area (nasolabial folds) and the chin. There can be discomfort when the needle is injected. Some doctors are mixing the wrinkle fillers with lidocaine, which is a numbing ingredient. Others use a topical numbing cream or ice on the skin first, before using the needle. There is also Juvederm XC from Allergan and Restylane and Perlane with Lidocaine from Medicis. These fillers are made with lidocaine, so the numbing material is a part of the injection.

Information on Captique, Perlane, Radiesse, Sculptra

Captique - Captique is still another hyaluronic acid filler, which is injected right into the lines of the skin. Like Juvederm and restylane, the results can last for several months. The cost starts at $500 per syringe.

Perlane ® - Perlane is another hyaluronic acid injectable filler. Perlane is made by the same company that makes Restylane (see above). The particles in Perlane are larger, and so, according to the company, go deeper into the skin. The Perlane procedure involves injection into the wrinkle to be filled, and the effects can last for several months. Perlane cosmetic filler can cost from $500-$800 per syringe.

Radiesse ® or Radiance® - Radiesse consists of calcium microspheres suspended in a gel. Unlike Juvederm and Restylane, this is considered a long lasting filler, with the effects lasting for over a year. Because of this, it's even more important that you see a good cosmetic surgeon. You also need to avoid this dermal filler on areas where the skin is thin, for example around the eyes. For the eyes, surgeons can do an eye lift or brow and forehead lift. Radiesse dermal filler can cost from $1000-$1600 per syringe.

Sculptra ® / NewFill - Sculptra is a poly L-lactic acid (PPLA) injectable filler. This filler goes beyond wrinkles, and can fill in hollow areas of the face. Unlike the other wrinkle fillers, injections are given over a period of time. Like Radiesse, this is a one of the longest-lasting filler, with results lasting over a year. Sculptra injections can cost from $900-$1600 per syringe. As with other filler, this may not be considered major surgery but it is a big undertaking. So spend a lot of time considering if this is really the right thing for you.

Captique and Perlane are being used for lines around the lips and eyes, plus the forehead and neck and other areas on the face. Sculptra and Radiesse are being used on the cheeks, chin and mouth, and other areas.

Information on ArteFill, Collagen

ArteFill ® - ArteFill combines a made man product of polymer beads (PMMA microspheres) with bovine collagen to smooth out wrinkles. When done by a good cosmetic surgeon, ArteFill is considered the longest lasting of all the cosmetic fillers, although patients may need supplemental filler treatments as their skin changes over time. ArteFill costs $1200 to $1700 per syringe. You should be tested for allergies before considering ArteFill. It is also not advised for thin skin or near the eyes.

Collagen - The original collagen is bovine (cow) and can be used for lines and skin augmentation. Some examples are Zyderm® and Zyplast®. Evolence ® collagen filler is another filler product which can be injected into different areas of the face in order to reduce the appearance of a wrinkle or fold. Derived from pig skin, Evolen's manufacturer says results will last 6 months. Man-made collagens. or synthetic collagens, include Cosmoderm ® and Cosmoplast ®. The results of man-made and cow collagen injections last from 2-6 months. They can cost about $500-$800 per syringe. Collagen is used in different areas, including the lips and the nasolabial (nose and mouth) folds.

Fat injections are another anti-aging option for filling in wrinkles or depressed sections of skin. in addition, for large areas, implants can be used, for example in chin surgery.

Information on Puragen, Hylaform and Prevelle

Prevelle - Prevelle Silk is a hyaluronic acid filler. It is used for fine lines and wrinkles, to fill them and plump them out. Results last for several months. Prevelle has the anesthetic lidocaine included in the syringe. The cost of Prevelle is usually somewhat less than Restylane and Juvederm, about $400-$700 per syringe.

Hylaform - Hylaform is an animal-based hyaluronic acid filler. This clear gel is injected into lines and wrinkles, and is also used for lip plumping. Hylaform costs about $500-$800 per syringe.

Puragen - Puragen is made by the same company that makes Prevelle and is also a hyaluranic acid filler. (The company, by the way, also makes implants used for breast augmentation.) The process by which Puragen is made is somewhat different than Prevelle. The manufacturer says that, as a result, Puragen can be used for deeper lines and heavier wrinkles, and the lines stay plumped for a longer amount of time.

Dermal filler results

Cosmetic fillers can help fill in lines and wrinkles such as crow's feet (at the corners of the eyes), laugh lines, frown lines, smile lines (those wrinkles around the mouth), glabellar lines (between the eyebrows) parenthesis lines, marionette lines, and the 11's (the lines which form between the eyes when you squint). This cosmetic treatment can be used around the mouth (upper lip and lower lip enhancement can use fillers) and the nose. You need to be cautious about using this procedure around the eyes.

There are also other procedures that can be used to treat wrinkles such as laser resurfacing for skin rejuvenation and younger skin. Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion are other procedures that remove the top layers of skin and can work on wrinkles, as well as scars. Chemical peels also do this. Again, you must find a qualified doctor to do these procedures.

Fillers do not lift or remove sagging skin. For that, you would talk to your doctor about full or mini face lift surgery, which can take care of both the face and neck. While fillers can be used if there are wrinkles on or above the nose, they obviously do not shape the nose like a nose job would. Also, remember that cosmetic fillers will not help with other skin problems such as too much fat. For that, you would need a different procedure such as liposuction

Make sure you use an accredited cosmetic surgery center or clinic. Be aware of possible reactions to dermal fillers such as swelling, redness, itching, and pain. If the skin gets hot or hurts, call your doctor right away. Very bad reactions can include shock or disfiguring problems. You may need more than one dermal filler injection. Also remember, that many of the fillers made with hyaluronic acid, such as Juvederm and Restylane, only last about four months. This is also true for Captique and Perlane. Longer lasting fillers such as Radiesse, ArteFill and Sculptra will last over a year. Overall results depend on the general condition of your skin and health, the kind of wrinkle filler used and how good your doctor is. When looking for a cosmetic filler doctor, shop carefully. Spas may offer this procedure, along with laser hair removal and other procedures. However, while fillers can be injected by different types of specialists, a cosmetic surgeon may have more experience with fillers as well. Ask to see before-and-after photos.