What is the Best Topical Facial Filler?

Question

I am looking for a topical product such as Hyaluronic Acid to give my sagging, deflated skin a more fuller appearance.  What is the best topical product on the market?I am interested in a product that has a molecular structure small enough to penetrate the skin and provide results instead of just sitting on top of the skin.

Michael A. Persky, MD · Answer

Hi Lilac,
There's an old joke there about a wife who tells her husband that she wants fuller breasts, he tells her to rub toilet tissue on her breasts because apparently it was successful on her tush.  Maybe he's now her ex-husband.  I won't tell you to use toilet tissue on your face, but I would not expect incredible results from topical facial fillers.
I actually had a treatment today with Intracueticals.  It involves topical hyaluronic acid with focused hyperbaric oxygen application to "drive" the product into the skin.  The immediate effect was some fullness and improvement in the nasolabial folds.  The company recommends 4 to 5 once a week treatments followed by once a month maintenance treatments.  It costs $150-$175 depending on the combination of "potions" that are sprayed onto the skin. 
Skin Medica and Visible Youth (Enhance Skin Products Inc., Toronto, Ont.) both have products that claim to have molecules that allow hyaluronic acid to enter the skin.  I am sure that there are other products as well.  These topical products won't come close to the correction obtained by using actual fillers.
Good luck and be well.
Dr. P

Medical Relations - SkinCeuticals · Answer

At SkinCeuticals, we formulate products with optimized concentration of pure cosmeceutical ingredients that are proven to absorb and deliver visible benefits for the skin. SkinCeuticals mission is to improve skin health and provide advanced skincare backed by science. Our clinical-grade skincare is used by dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and medi-spas in professional treatments, daily homecare, and to complement aesthetic procedures. We formulate our products to prevent future damage, correct signs of aging, and protect healthy skin.If you are looking for a product recommendation for hyaluronic acid, we recommend SkinCeuticals H.A. Intensifier. This serum is a multi-functional serum proven to amplify and maintain the skin’s hyaluronic acid levels to help restore the natural appearance of plumpness, smoothness, and firmness. Clinical studies demonstrate that this product significantly improved the appearance of plumpness and firmness. This can be used on the entire face, under eyes, and on lips.

Grant Stevens, MD · Answer

We all hope for the day that topical products can plump and rehydrate the skin to sufficiently revolumize it..but that day has not yet come.  The only way to effective get hyaluronic acid into the skin for plumpness and volume is with injections and injectable fillers (Perlane, Juvederm, Restylane...)

Dina D. Strachan, MD · Answer

Currently there is no topical product that is a substitute for injectable facial fillers. If your cheeks are sagging you likely need injectable volume replacement and/ or a tightening procedure.

Peter Schmid, DO, FAACS · Answer

Topicals simply don't penetrate the skin deep enough to stimulate the collagen that would be necessary to "plump" the skin. You will need to look to other treatments for real results. Juvederm, Restylane and other Hyaluronic Acid (HA) fillers would be the least downtime and expense for you. Fat transfer is another option.

	If you would like to make additional improvement to your skin, such as tightening, pore reduction, discoloration improvement, you might look into fractional laser resurfacing.

What is the Best Topical Facial Filler?

Answers (6)

Answer: No topical volume replacement

Answer: No topical volume replacement

Answer: No topical on the market will provide results you desire.

Answer: No topical on the market will provide results you desire.

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Everything you need to know about Skin Rejuvenation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

What is the Best Topical Facial Filler?

Answers (6)

Answer: No topical volume replacement

Answer: No topical volume replacement

Answer: No topical on the market will provide results you desire.

Answer: No topical on the market will provide results you desire.

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Skin Rejuvenation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.