Wrinkle Fillers: An Alternative to Plastic Surgery
These new products can replace lost volume and diminish lines – all without going under the knife.
Don't confuse fillers with Botox and its competitors, Dysport and Xeomin. These are injectables that help smooth so-called dynamic lines -- such as forehead furrows and crow's feet caused by frowning and smiling -- by blocking muscle contractions under the skin. Instead, the half dozen FDA-approved cosmetic (or dermal) fillers on the market help restore the contours of the face by padding folds and wrinkles and replacing lost volume.
Fillers don't replace a facelift because they won't lift skin that has a lot of sagging, says plastic surgeon Hatem Abou-Sayed, MD, FACS, who practices in West Palm Beach, Fla. "But if there's not a lot of skin laxity, fillers can replace lost volume, and that will contribute to a younger, more well-rested appearance." Here's a look at some of the most popular types.