Non-surgical, minimally invasive cosmetic treatments like dermal fillers are a safe and effective way to reverse aging signs and rejuvenate the skin. Fillers deliver impressive, long-lasting results without the risk of surgery.
This article focuses on different types of semi-permanent fillers, how they work, the benefits they provide, and how to ensure their longevity.
What Are Semi-Permanent Fillers?
Semi-permanent fillers, like Sculptra and Radiesse, use collagen-stimulating substances to trigger the skin’s natural repair processes and increase collagen production. They cause gradual skin remodeling, unlike traditional hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, which primarily add gel-based volume to instantly plump up the skin.
As new collagen forms around the injected particles, it creates a firmer structure and support in the soft tissue beneath the skin, restoring lost volume and smoothing wrinkles over time. The improvement typically becomes visible after several weeks and continues to develop over several months.
Semi-permanent fillers are biodegradable, which means they gradually break down in the body, but at a slower rate than hyaluronic acid fillers. Manufacturers claim their products last for years, with some formulations persisting for up to five years.
Types of Semi-Permanent Fillers
Patients can choose from several semi-permanent filler types based on the collagen-stimulating ingredient in the formulation.
Semi-Permanent Fillers Ingredients
Semi-permanent fillers are typically composed of tiny microparticles suspended in a gel-based carrier. These particles are made of the following materials.
- Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHa) – A mineral compound naturally found in human bones. In fillers, CaHa is synthetically produced to mimic the natural material and it rarely causes allergies and more severe side effects.
- Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) – A synthetic polymer that stimulates collagen production. It helps augment soft tissue under the skin and restore lost volume. PLLA is also used in medicine for absorbable suture threads.
- Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) – PMMA is considered a long-lasting semi-permanent or a permanent filler because it doesn’t degrade like the others. Results last for five years or longer. It carries a higher risk of adverse effects, including infection and lumps.
Semi-Permanent Fillers Brands
The following semi-permanent filler brands are available to patients.
Sculptra
Sculptra’s main ingredient is poly-L-lactic acid. This filler restores facial volume gradually as it takes several months to stimulate collagen production. Sculptra is FDA-approved for the treatment of deep nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and chin wrinkles. Providers often use it off-label for skin laxity, volume loss, and cellulite in other areas, including the upper arms, chest, knees, hips, and thighs.
Radiesse
Radiesse is composed of calcium hydroxylapatite particles. When injected under the skin, these particles act as scaffolding for new tissue growth. Radiesse is FDA-approved for the treatment of moderate to severe wrinkles and folds in areas such as nasolabial folds. It is also indicated for volume loss in the hands. Providers often use it off label for marionette lines, chin wrinkles, and loose jowls.
Bellafill
Bellafill is made of polymethyl methacrylate combined with bovine collagen. PMMA microspheres induce gradual, long-term collagen and skin remodeling. Bellafill is FDA-approved for nasolabial folds and acne scars on the cheeks.
Benefits of Semi-Permanent Fillers
Semi-permanent fillers give natural-looking results that last for years, eliminating the need for annual maintenance treatments. Other benefits include the following.
Restored Facial Volume
Loss of elasticity and sagging skin are common aging signs, often appearing in the late 30s and 40s. One of the key causes is the natural decline in collagen, the structural protein that gives skin firmness and support. The role of semi-permanent fillers is to rebuild collagen fibers and restore lost volume, providing a more youthful look.
Firmer, Tighter Skin
Increased collagen synthesis provides scaffolding for skin cells in the dermis. The skin appears tighter and firmer with fillers helping to reduce visible sagging over time.
Reduced Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Semi-permanent fillers reduce the appearance of moderate to severe static wrinkles and folds, typically in the lower facial area. They include nasolabial folds, marionette lines, chin wrinkles, smile lines, etc. The material adds volume and smooths creases and folds, stimulating collagen production over time.
Improved Facial Contours
By restoring facial volume and tightening the skin, semi-permanent fillers effectively improve facial contours. The results include a more defined jawline, a lifted mid-face, fuller cheeks, an augmented chin, and a sculpted appearance.
Semi-Permanent Fillers Risk and Side Effects
Semi-permanent fillers are typically made of biocompatible materials that mimic substances that occur naturally in the body. For that reason, allergic reactions are rare. However, some risks and side effects associated with injections are common. They are temporary and include the following:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Bruising
- Itching
- Tenderness
- Bleeding
- Small lumps and bumps
Rare and more severe side effects may occur, usually when inexperienced injectors miss the soft tissue or accidentally hit a blood vessel. Associated adverse effects include:
- Impaired vision
- Tissue death
- Infection
- Scarring
- Inflammatory reaction
- Filler migration to another site
To ensure maximum safety, schedule your treatment with an experienced, board-certified medical professional.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Semi-Permanent Fillers?
Semi-permanent fillers are suitable for adults in their late 30s and older who want to minimize the effects of aging, such as loose and sagging skin, hollow cheeks, and noticeable wrinkles. Patients need to be healthy and have realistic expectations, understanding that the results are gradual and less dramatic than those of a surgical lift. The fillers smooth and firm the skin, but they are temporary and cannot fully correct severe skin laxity or deep folds.
Who Should Avoid Semi-Permanent Fillers?
Semi-permanent fillers are not for everyone. The following conditions are contraindications for the procedure.
- Pregnancy and lactation
- Bleeding disorders
- Active infection
- History of scarring
- Allergies to filler ingredients
- Autoimmune disorders
Semi-Permanent Filler Procedure
Semi-permanent filler procedures vary slightly by filler type, but the general steps are the same.
The medical provider first cleans the patient’s skin in the target area and applies a numbing cream to prevent pain and discomfort. They mark the injection sites and, after the cream takes effect, inject the filler. They may massage the injected area to ensure the filler settles properly. The injection process takes 15-30 minutes, depending on the area.
Some permanent fillers require only one session. PLLA fillers (Sculptra) typically require three to four sessions spaced one month apart for optimal results.
Semi-Permanent Filler Aftercare
Patients can resume most daily activities immediately after treatment. The following is a list of things to avoid or do differently for a short period to maximize the results.
- Apply a cloth-wrapped ice pack on the treatment area several times a day during the first few days to minimize swelling, bruising, and pain.
- Gently massage the treatment area to alleviate swelling and pain.
- Don’t exercise the first 24-48 hours.
- Avoid exposure to sunlight, tanning beds, saunas, and other sources of heat.
- Don’t bend down for the first four hours.
- Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements.
- Don’t drink alcohol for 24-48 hours.
- Don’t rub or apply pressure to the treated area.
- Sleep on your back with your head propped up on a double pillow.
- Don’t schedule any other treatments in the same area for two weeks, including laser, chemical peels, and microneedling.
Note: Read our blog post on dermal fillers aftercare for more information on how to ensure the best results.
Semi-Permanent Filler Cost
The price of a semi-permanent filler depends on the type and brand, the severity of the patient’s skin concern, the medical professional’s expertise, and the med spa’s location.
At Vibrant Skin Bar, we offer two semi-permanent filler types, Radiesse and Sculptra. Radiesse costs $749 per vial. Sculptra costs $900 per vial.
Choosing the Right Injector
Unlike temporary hyaluronic acid fillers, semi-permanent fillers cannot be dissolved with hyaluronidase. That is why it is vital to choose a cosmetic provider who is a board-certified, licensed medical professional with experience injecting collagen-stimulating fillers. Choosing the right injector significantly reduces the risk of complications and improves the chance of achieving safe and desired results.
Semi-Permanent Filler Removal
Patients who are dissatisfied with the results of semi-permanent fillers have several options for their removal.
- Surgical extraction – Surgical extraction is the only sure way to remove a semi-permanent filler, but it’s a complicated and risky procedure involving local or general anesthesia. Medical providers prefer to try other options for mitigating the negative effects of a filler before opting for surgery.
- 5-FU injections – 5-fluorouracil injections are antimetabolite drugs used for various medical purposes, including chemotherapy and dermatological conditions. They can help with complications following a semi-permanent filler treatment, such as nodules and granulomas.
- Corticosteroid injections – These injections address adverse effects of a semi-permanent filler, such as inflammation, swelling, and nodules. However, there is a significant risk of damaging the surrounding tissue.
- Sodium thiosulfate (STS) injections –They are used for CaHa fillers (Radiesse) to reduce their volume and nodules. The procedure is not always effective and may require multiple sessions. It can also lead to necrosis (tissue death).
- Strategic placement of additional filler – In some cases, medical providers opt for strategically injecting another filler to improve asymmetries or other undesired effects.
If none of these options seem appealing, patients need to wait until their bodies naturally degrade the filler and the effects disappear on their own. This can take over a year, and much longer with PMMA fillers.
Semi-Permanent Filler Alternatives
The cosmetics industry offers a plethora of beautifying products and treatments for everyone’s preference. If semi-permanent fillers are not a suitable option, a patient can achieve similar effects with the following procedures.
Temporary (HA) Fillers
Hyaluronic acid fillers last shorter than semi-permanent fillers, but they have a few significant advantages. They are easily dissolvable with hyaluronidase, have a lower risk of complications, and provide an immediate volumizing effect.
Permanent Fillers
Permanent fillers, such as PMMA microspheres, silicone oil, and polyacrylamide hydrogel, contain non-degradable materials that remain in the body indefinitely. They provide permanent effects and are ideal for patients who don’t want the inconvenience of repeated treatments. However, because they are irreversible, patients should carefully consider this option.
Fat Transfer
Fat transfer or fat grafting involves removing fat from the patient’s body and injecting it into the target area, such as the forehead, cheeks, or jawline. Because it uses the patient’s own tissue, the treatment is typically well-tolerated and produces natural-looking results. The results often outlast those of semi-permanent fillers.
Botox
Botox is one of the most popular wrinkle-reducing treatments. It involves injecting small amounts of botulinum toxin into specific muscles in the upper facial areas to reduce their activity. The treatment smooths dynamic wrinkles, which develop from repeated muscle contractions and facial expressions. Botox can also be used off-label for specific areas in the lower face.
Collagen-Stimulating Treatments
Collagen-stimulating treatments, such as laser resurfacing, microneedling, and medium-to-deep chemical peels, create controlled injury in the dermal layers to activate fibroblasts and increase collagen production. The treatments gradually improve skin texture and firmness, resulting in smoother, more radiant skin. Patients need periodic maintenance sessions to extend the results.
PDO Thread Lifting
PDO threads are dissolvable medical sutures that are inserted under the skin to treat sagging. They provide an immediate lifting effect and increase collagen production for gradual improvements that last for months.
Facelift
Though a facelift carries a higher risk of infections, nerve damage, and other complications, many patients choose surgery over minimally invasive cosmetic procedures. A facelift provides dramatic, long-lasting rejuvenation by visibly tightening, firming, smoothing, and contouring the skin. It helps with prominent wrinkles and skin laxity that are not fully treatable with non-invasive procedures. Although it typically costs more, a single surgery can deliver results that last for many years.
Conclusion
Semi-permanent fillers, such as Sculptra and Radiesse, are popular cosmetic treatments for aging skin. In the hands of a qualified injector, they visibly rejuvenate the patient’s appearance, tightening sagging skin and smoothing prominent wrinkles and folds.
Contact our skilled medical professionals at Vibrant Skin Bar to help you reach your beauty goals with minimal risk and maximum comfort.
