Dermal fillers are minimally invasive cosmetic treatments that volumize and smooth thinning, sagging, and wrinkled skin, particularly in the middle and lower facial areas. With Botox, they are the most popular injectable anti-aging procedures.

This article describes different dermal filler types and how injectors choose a specific filler based on the patient’s unique skin condition and aesthetic goals.

Dermal filler types

Types of Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers can be categorized by the following factors:

  • Permanency
  • Composition
  • Brand
  • Treatment area
  • Injection depth
  • Rheology (physical filler properties)

Dermal Filler Types by Permanency

Cosmetic professionals differentiate between filler types based on how long they last. We recognize three types by the duration of the results.

  • Temporary – Temporary dermal fillers are made from biodegradable materials, most commonly hyaluronic acid. This bio-identical HA provides immediate volume and hydration. They are reversible and ideal for the lips and mild to moderate wrinkles. They typically last six to twelve months, during which the body breaks down the filler and the skin reverts to its pre-filler state.
  • Semi-permanent – Semi-permanent fillers are biostimulators, which means they stimulate collagen production and gradually remodel the skin. They are also biodegradable, but at a slower rate than HA. They usually last up to two years, and sometimes longer.
  • Permanent – Permanent fillers are not biodegradable. They remain in the soft tissue where they are injected, providing long-lasting support to thinning, hollow skin. Permanent filler manufacturers claim they last five years, but patients report results that last decades.

Dermal Filler Types by Composition

Fillers are also differentiated by the primary ingredient. They include the following:

  • Hyaluronic acid (HA) – Naturally present in the body, it helps maintain skin hydration, volume, and elasticity. It is the primary ingredient in temporary fillers. HA is a very versatile material suitable for various applications.
  • Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHa) – CaHa is a naturally occurring component of human bones. As a semi-permanent filler, it provides an immediate volumizing effect followed by gradual collagen synthesis.
  • Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) – PLLA is a synthetic polymer and a collagen stimulator. It is a semi-permanent filler. Similar to CaHa, it triggers collagen deposition, restoring lost volume.
  • Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) – Another synthetic filler, it consists of PMMA microspheres suspended in bovine collagen gel. It doesn’t dissolve but stays in place, providing continued support and firmness.
  • Autologous fillers – Also known as fat transfer or fat grafting, autologous fillers involve injecting the patient’s own fat harvested from another body area. This is a surgical and more invasive method that provides results lasting for years.

Dermal Filler Types by Brand

Filler types by brand

The following filler brands are FDA-approved and available in the United States. Each brand works differently and brings distinct results.

Juvéderm®

Juvéderm by Allergan is a collection of temporary dermal fillers. They are based on hyaluronic acid and consist of several products for various applications. They include:

  • Juvéderm Ultra XC – Indicated for lip augmentation and smoothing small lines and wrinkles in the perioral area.
  • Juvéderm Ultra Plus XC – For lip augmentation and correcting moderate to severe wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds.
  • Juvéderm Voluma XC – For deep injection in the cheeks, chin, and the temple region.
  • Juvéderm Volbella XC – For lip augmentation, correction of perioral lines, and improving under-eye hollows.
  • Juvéderm Vollure XC – For the correction of moderate to severe wrinkles and creases, such as nasolabial folds and marionette lines.
  • Juvéderm Volux XC – For deep injection to improve moderate to severe jowls.

Note: Learn more about Juvéderm fillers’ benefits, potential side effects, and ideal candidates.

Restylane®

Restylane by Galderma is another popular line of hyaluronic acid fillers. They provide similar results to those of Juvéderm and are considered among the safest fillers on the market. Their collection includes the following products:

  • Restylane-L – Indicated for moderate to severe wrinkles and folds (e.g., nasolabial folds), lip augmentation, and the correction of perioral lines.
  • Restylane Lyft – For midface contouring, correction of moderate to severe folds and creases, cheek augmentation, chin profile enhancement, and volume restoration in the back of the hands.
  • Restylane Refyne – For the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds.
  • Restylane Defyne – For chin augmentation and deep wrinkles and folds.
  • Restylane Silk – The first FDA-approved lip filler, it volumizes the lips and smooths perioral lines.
  • Restylane Kysse – Enhances lip volume and texture; provides more pronounced results than Silk.
  • Restylane Contour – For midface volume restoration, facial contouring, and cheek augmentation.
  • Restylane Eyelight – For the treatment of under-eye hollows (tear-troughs).

Note: Read our blog post on Juvéderm vs. Restylane to understand their differences and why they are among the most popular and commonly used fillers.

Revanesse®

Revanesse by Prollenium Medical Technologies Inc. is present in the U.S. market with Revanesse Versa and Revanesse Lips+. They are highly effective and safe injectables based on hyaluronic acid.

  • Revanesse Versa – Approved for moderate to severe folds and creases, including nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and corners of the mouth. It is formulated with unique, perfectly spherical hyaluronic acid molecules and causes less swelling than other HA fillers.
  • Revanesse Lips+ – For lip augmentation and subtle hydration.

RHA® Collection

The RHA Collection by Teoxane is the first line of hyaluronic acid fillers to receive FDA approval for dynamic wrinkles, which appear due to repeated facial movements, such as frowning and smiling. RHA fillers are indicated for patients over 22.

  • RHA Redensity – Indicated for the correction of moderate to severe dynamic perioral wrinkles and creases.
  • RHA 2 – For the correction of moderate to severe dynamic facial wrinkles and folds.
  • RHA 3 – For moderate to severe dynamic wrinkles, nasolabial folds, and lip augmentation.
  • RHA 4 – For the correction of moderate to severe dynamic facial wrinkles and folds.

Belotero®

Belotero Balance (+) by Merz Aesthetics is a soft, flexible hyaluronic acid filler that uses advanced technology to enhance several facial areas. It improves the sensitive under-eye hollows, lifts nasolabial folds, and smooths the lines around the mouth.

Sculptra®

Sculptra by Galderma is a semi-permanent filler based on poly-L-lactic acid. It stimulates collagen production and provides gradual structural support to sagging, hollow areas in the mid- and lower face. It is typically used to correct and enhance marionette lines, nasolabial folds, and chin wrinkles.

Radiesse®

Radiesse by Merz Aesthetics is the only FDA-approved semi-permanent filler made from calcium hydroxylapatite. It is a thick injectable suitable for filling in areas with more pronounced volume loss in the lower facial area, such as the nasolabial folds and loose jowls. It is also commonly used for smoothing hand wrinkles.

Note: Learn more about the differences between Radiesse and Sculptra to understand their potential benefits and side effects.

Bellafill®

Bellafill by Suneva Medical Inc. is a permanent, PMMA filler and the only FDA-approved filler for atrophic acne scars on the cheeks. It is also used for filling in and smoothing moderate to severe wrinkles and folds. One downside of using PMMA fillers is the increased risk of nodules. It is also difficult to reverse the filler.

Dermal Filler Types by Treatment Area

Fillers are also classified by the patient’s aesthetic goals and the area to be injected.

  • Temples
  • Under-eye hollows
  • Cheeks
  • Nasolabial folds
  • Marionette lines
  • Smile lines
  • Lips
  • Jawline
  • Chin wrinkles

Dermal Filler Types by Injection Depth

The target area and treatment goal dictate the type of filler based on the required injection depth. Medical professionals recognize the following fillers based on this factor.

  • Superficial dermal fillers (for fine lines, especially around the mouth)
  • Mid-dermal fillers (for moderate wrinkles)
  • Deep dermal fillers (for severe wrinkles and folds)
  • Subcutaneous fillers (for volume loss and structural support)

Dermal Filler Types by Rheology

Rheology refers to dermal filler physical characteristics, such as the following:

  • Cohesivity – The ability of the filler to stay together as a cohesive gel.
  • Viscosity – The thickness of the filler and how easily it flows during injection.
  • Elasticity – The ability of the filler to return to its original shape after being stretched or compressed.
  • Flexibility – How easily the filler adapts to the patient’s natural facial movements.
  • Lifting capacity – The filler’s capacity to lift a sagging, hollow facial area.
  • Swelling factor – The degree to which the filler absorbs water after the injection, leading to an increase in volume.
  • Extrusion force – The amount of pressure required to push the filler through the needle.

Understanding how each filler behaves when injected helps providers match the right product to the target area and tailor the treatment accordingly.

The Future of Dermal Filler Types

The upcoming trends in filler development reflect the cosmetic industry’s focus on safe, effective, and innovative solutions.

Emerging advancements in this field include:

  • Development of longer-lasting formulations.
  • Enhanced integration with complementary rejuvenating treatments (e.g., PRP, exosomes, laser resurfacing).
  • Focus on natural-looking results, such as those provided by lightweight micro-fillers.

Conclusion

Dermal fillers are rapidly rising in popularity thanks to their impressive rejuvenating effects and low risk of injury. Learning about different dermal filler types can help patients better understand their aesthetic possibilities.

Contact our friendly, experienced team at Vibrant Skin Bar to give you more details on the benefits of dermal fillers and create a personalized strategy for achieving your dream look.

Contact us!