{"id":13648,"date":"2020-12-04T07:32:31","date_gmt":"2020-12-04T15:32:31","guid":{"rendered":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/?p=13648"},"modified":"2023-10-12T16:52:34","modified_gmt":"2023-10-12T23:52:34","slug":"hyaluronic-acid-vs-biostimulatory-fillers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/hyaluronic-acid-vs-biostimulatory-fillers","title":{"rendered":"Hyaluronic Acid vs. Biostimulatory Fillers: What to Know Before You Get Injected"},"content":{"rendered":"

A woman’s right to choose is a beautiful thing—unless, of course, it means choosing between beautiful things. Laser or IPL? Kybella or lipo? Radiesse or Restylane? Welcome to This\/That<\/a>, where each month, we’ll compare two common solutions to popular aesthetic concerns, delivering all the pros, cons, and caveats you need to make safe, smart decisions.<\/em><\/p>

Early last year, when I walked into my first injectables appointment at a swanky dermatologist’s office on New York City’s Upper East Side, I really had only one thing in mind: bigger lips. Not big in an unnatural sort of way, just slightly more voluminous—especially regarding my then nonexistent upper lip. What I didn’t foresee at the time were the many questions I’d be confronted with. Did I want a hyaluronic acid–based filler<\/a>? Did I have a preference between Restylane Silk<\/a> or Juvéderm Volbella<\/a>? Was I aware of just how much swelling could potentially ensue? (No, I was not—and so I subsequently canceled all plans for the next three days.)<\/p>

Interested in dermal fillers?<\/small><\/div>Find Doctors Near You<\/a><\/div>

Fortunately, I was in the hands of a very knowledgeable dermatologist who took the time to walk me through my options and then chose for me when I still came up unsure, carefully explaining why he picked what he did. Since then, a handful of board-certified dermatologists have augmented my lips, each partial to a different filler and injection technique. <\/p>

My point is this: even as someone who writes about skin for a living, I was still befuddled by the many nuances of filler. This is why it pays to seek out a board-certified physician who can guide you, of course—but, as I learned, it’s also wise to familiarize yourself with the products’ unique personalities before booking your appointment. Here, experts break down the two main categories of filler—hyaluronic acid (HA) and biostimulatory—along with all the pros and cons. <\/p>

Related: Which Fillers Work Best Where? Dermatologists Break It Down<\/a><\/em><\/p>

What distinguishes HA fillers from biostimulatory fillers?<\/h2>

All fillers work to achieve similar goals—imparting substance and shape—however, the mechanism of action and ingredients used to do so differ. The primary ingredient in HA fillers, like Juvéderm and Restylane, is, as the name implies, hyaluronic acid. <\/p>

“Hyaluronic acid is a sugar, [and] the body naturally makes hyaluronic acid as one of the building blocks of collagen,” explains Dr. Jason Chouake, a board-certified dermatologist in Cliffside Park, New Jersey. The “hyaluronic acid used in fillers is synthesized in a laboratory so that it is free of bacteria and other contaminants.” Among each brand, you’ll find multiple variations, each boasting specific traits: in the Juvéderm class is Ultra, Ultra Plus, Voluma, Vollure, and Volbella, and among the many iterations of Restylane are Silk, Lyft, Defyne, Refyne, and the original formula, classic Restylane. <\/p>

“HA fillers differ in their various properties, including viscosity, cross-linking [the way the HA molecules are strung together], and their ability to provide lift or volume,” says board-certified New York City dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick<\/a>. “The degree of cross-linking, for instance, can determine the firmness or flexibility of the product and guide the location that it’s best suited for.” <\/p>

Firm, robust fillers with a higher HA concentration (like Restylane Lyft) are often used to define bony areas such as the chin and jawline; to buoy cheeks and temples; and to add fullness to the backs of the hands. Thinner formulas with a lower concentration, such as Restylane Silk, offer a softer, more subtle boost to delicate lips and nasolabial folds. <\/p>

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The art of lip augmentation 🖼 To me, it’s all about respecting the anatomy of the lip tubercles and the nuances of a patient’s unique desires 💉💉💉 #lipaugmentation #beautyisinthedetails #naturalresults<\/a><\/p>

A post shared by Dr. Lara Devgan, MD, MPH, FACS<\/a> (@laradevganmd) on