I don’t know about you, but I’m terrified to get fillers in my face. I have seen them make a person look totally different, and I have seen them make people look freakishly fake. But as I’m getting older the lines around my mouth are becoming more pronounced and I need to do something.

I was flipping through a fashion magazine and I came across an ad for a new filler, Sculptra. What I noticed about this filler is it’s not really a filler, it’s an injectable filler that stimulates collagen growth. Sculptra replaces lost volume by stimulating new collagen production rather than manually filling grooves and wrinkles. So it’s a more natural process that makes the results natural.

Sculptra works to replace lost collagen in a series of treatments administered by a physician. On average, three injection sessions are needed over a period of a few months, but the number of injection sessions and the number of injections per session vary from person to person. The first injection gives subtle results over time, and the results continue to improve with each injection and time. The slow formation of a more youthful look doesn’t “give you away”. The results last up to 2 years.

I have not tried it, but suffice to say, I’m going this route when it’s time (on the horizon).

Looks like there is a new wrinkle filler on the horizon, and this one is longer lasting. Merz Pharmaceuticals and Fredric Brandt, a dermatologist in New York City, are developing an algie based wrinkle filler that may last up to 12 months—which is comparable to hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane and Juvéderm, which last six months or more. Called MDF-100, it may also cause less swelling than those fillers. Currently the clinical trials of MDF-100 are awaiting FDA approval. The approval could take over two years, so stay tuned.

I am just starting to show signs of creases beside my mouth, the 'parenthesis' look, and I have considered a filler. I was told by my dermatologist that Radiesse is my best option. He said Radiesse dermal filler is made of calcium-based microspheres suspended in a water-based gel, and is injected into the skin through a simple and minimally invasive procedure. He also said it hurt just a little, and they numb the area before hand.  Supposedly, it adds volume to safely contour and correct features, like filling in the 'parenthesis' or enhancing cheekbones. And unlike other fillers, RADIESSE dermal filler continues to work overtime. With a microsphere technology, it starts a process called collagenesis, stimulating your body to produce new collagen and encouraging collagen to grow around the injection area which helps your body create its own naturally younger look.

A few more facts about this filler - RADIESSE dermal filler has been clinically tested extensively for years, with excellent safety and efficacy results. It has received CE mark certification, two FDA approvals, and a number of FDA clearances. RADIESSE dermal filler is made from a biocompatible substance that’s identical to what’s naturally found in the body. There’s virtually no risk of allergic reaction, and there have been very few side effects reported in clinical trials and actual use. Treatment with RADIESSE dermal filler is convenient and can be performed during a lunch hour. You’ll see the results right away - and these results may last up to a year or more for many patients.

http://www.radiesse.com/pages/What/index.php?lang=en

Here are some before and after shots.

Before                                      After

Before                                     After

 

Before (cheek filler)                    After

I have not had the filler done yet. My nasiolabial (parenthesis) folds aren't that bad yet and I'm still not sure about how the results will look. While the above photos have good results, I have seen some people that look horrible after having fillers, so I'm hesitant. Take this picture of Heather Locklear, she is still beautiful, but her nasiolabial folds look lopsided and bumpy. I don't know what kind of filler she had.

This one is worse, It's Taylor Dayne, and I also don't know what type of filler she had, I just know it was way too much.

So you can see my concern. However, I think for the best results of any facial filler, less is more. My mother just had it in her nasio-labial lines and it looks great, not too overdone. I couldn't tell she had it done until she told me. So if you, like me, are considering facial fillers, just do a little, you don't want to look like Taylor.