What Filler is recommended for a Thinning Face?

I think most doctors would recommend Sculptra for overall facial volumization.  The amount of product you get and the overall effects are very nice.  There are some downsides.  Another great option is fat grafting.  The basics of this procedure is that you do small volume liposuction in the belly or the flank, wash and isolate the fat, and then inject it into the desired locations in the face.  The results are permanent, fairly predictable (as long as you inject it into the right places) and really pretty. 

I would first recommend that you speak to a board certified specialist who can give you more specific recommendations. However if you are just interested in learning about various options, hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm and Restylane are capable of augmenting as well as hydrating tissue to add volume to a specific area. 

Radiesse, which is made of calcium based microspheres can provide structural corrections to enhance the cheek areas. It can also fill wrinkles and enhance the volume of the face as well. Radiesse also promotes the development of new collagen fibers which enhance the firmness of your skin.


Also fat transfers are another option to consider. As the name suggests, live fat cells from another part of your body are injected into a specific area.


All of these are excellent options that give very natural looking results.  Your doctor can give you better guidance on which solutions would be best for your face.

While it is of utmost importance to find an expert physician to offer their advice about which would filler or injectable treatment would work best for you, my preference for patients who have a lot of volume loss for a number of reasons is Sculptra.  It is a great way to restore volume in the face, other than structural fat grafting and it produces a nice, natural look.

This is not a simple question to answer.  Fillers and Volumizers all have their proper place for enhancing the human face to a more natural and youthful state.  I would highly recommend going to an experienced practitioner who can recommend what is best for you, since this is very individualized.  Generally, for facial wasting (hollowing) I like to treat with Sculptra.  This volumizes the area in several treatments for long term results.  Fillers like Restylane, Juvederm, or Radiesse can help give instant gratification and fill wrinkles with shorter staying power.

Hope this helps.

Dr. Grant Stevens     

Sculptra® Aesthetic is my favorite treatment for a thinning face because it helps to rebuild your body's own collagen in areas where it is breaking down.  This, in most cases, looks more natural than just filling lines where there is lost volume. Sculptra® provides natural results that develop over time and last. 

The best filler for a thiing face is your own fat. Not only is it OME (original manufacturer equipment) but several studies have demonstrated that it is VERY rich in stem cells and injecting it back in the faces not only volumizes the fat but makes the skin look and feel much younger. The problem with fat is that it requires a small surgical procedure to be harvested from areas of fat excess.

Although some recommend Sculptra, this filler is not doctor friendly and has been associated with a high rate of lumpiness resulting in patient disatisfaction.

The other fillers ; Restylane/Perlane, Juvederm and Radiesse - have all been used successfully in the face. The problem is that unlike fat,  they are all temporary.

Good Luck.

Peter A Aldea, MD

Dear writer, Most hyaluronic acid fillers presently available will provide excellent results for volumizing the face and diminishing the sunken eye appearance, deep nasolabial folds and jowls. Common fillers used are: Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm Ultra and Juvederm Ultra Plus (for deeper lines and areas of volume loss). It is important to have your dermatologist or plastic surgeon perform first an evaluation. If you need very large volume injections, I recommend to my patients to have autologous fat injections (your own fat cells removed for an area in your body like the abdomen or medial knee, believed to last the longest). After a session of fat injections, the rest of the medium to superficial lines may be filled with the above mentioned hyaluronic acid fillers.

There are many fillers that would benefit a thinning face.  The Hyaluronic Acid fillers such as Restylane, Perlane, or Juvederm will help, but they may not last as long as other fillers such as Radiesse or Sculptra.  Every treatment is tailored to the individual patient.  There are so many options available to you, but please go to an experienced injector as this is probably more important than the type of filler that is used!

I believe fat to the face remains the superior filler. It may need to be done twice to achieve the results . Once the fat has taken you may expect it to stay for at least 5 years

The best filler by far is your own fat.  This gives excellent volumization and is permanent.  Sometimes it takes a little touch up to get the final result.  Although it may be initially  more expensive than temporary fillers, in the long run it is much less expensive, more natural, and more effective.