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Hyaluronic acid (HA) has become a buzzword in skincare recently, thanks to its ability to hold onto large amounts of moisture and deeply hydrate the skin. While HA fillers can produce excellent results for this reason, they are not the only type of injectable filler with a proven track record.
If you’re interested in dermal fillers but aren’t quite sure if HA or non-HA fillers could be right for you, take a look at this quick guide to navigate your options.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar found in many areas of the body. While it has many functions, it most notably can bind to and retain up to 1,000 times its molecular weight in water, giving HA excellent hydrating and lubricating properties.
HA fillers such as JEUVÉDERM® and Restylane® utilize this moisture-retaining ability to add volume to the cheeks and lips and temporarily smooth away fine lines and wrinkles. HA fillers can be used in a variety of different areas of the face and can also be dissolved using an enzyme called hyaluronidase if you want to remove the filler for any reason. HA fillers are the only type of filler that can be removed in this way.
While hyaluronic acid fillers can last for 6 to 12 months, they do not last as long as non-hyaluronic acid fillers.
Non-Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Non-HA fillers such as Sculptra® and Bellafill® are often called semi-permanent fillers because they can last for several years. This is because they increase the skin’s natural collagen production, delivering longer-lasting results than HA fillers. However, non-HA fillers cannot be dissolved like HA fillers can.
Different brands of non-hyaluronic acid fillers contain different ingredients to achieve anti-aging and skin-smoothing results.
If you are considering fillers but aren’t sure which type could be best for you, call our Fairhope office at 251-929-7850 or contact us online to schedule a consultation today.
Author: Dr. James Koehler
A board-certified cosmetic surgeon in Fairhope, AL, Dr. James Koehler earned his MD from the University of Alabama and completed several post-doctoral residencies, internships and fellowships. He returned to Alabama to be closer to family and serve patients in the local community with a full range of cosmetic surgery procedures for the face, breast and body.
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