When it comes to enhancing your appearance, dermal fillers aren’t one-size-fits-all. Each type is designed for different goals, from smoothing deep wrinkles to restoring volume or defining facial features. Below, we’ll walk you through each filler type, how it works, and what to expect from the results.
Choosing the Right Filler for Your Needs
If you’re wondering which filler is right for you, start by thinking about:
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Your main goal: Do you want subtle volume, fewer wrinkles, or a more lifted look?
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Desired longevity: Some fillers last a few months, others several years.
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Treatment area: Certain fillers work best for lips or fine lines, while others target deeper folds.
Our specialists at Paradise Medspa will help you choose the best option based on your goals and skin needs. The different types of fillers used within our facilities include:
- Juvederm
- Radiesse
- Bellafill
- Belotero Balance
- Sculptra Aesthetic
Read on to discover the differences in these types of fillers, including how they work and if they’re right for you.
Wondering how long dermal fillers typically last in Arizona’s climate? Read our guide for insights on dermal filler longevity, and ways to make your results last longer.
Juvederm
Best for: smile lines, wrinkles, folds
Right now, Juvederm is one of the most popular types of fillers. Coming in the form of a smooth gel, it’s injected into your facial tissue to correct moderate to severe wrinkles and folds, including nasolabial folds — commonly known as smile lines.
How does Juvederm work?
A U.S. clinical study conducted on 145 patients measured the success of Juvederm treatments. Results showed that 88–90% of patients maintained improvement in their folds and wrinkles at the 24-week mark, proving the treatment’s effectiveness and consistency.
This filler works by restoring hyaluronic acid (HA) — a natural substance your skin loses with age. By injecting HA directly into the tissue, Juvederm rehydrates and plumps the skin, improving smoothness and elasticity.
Is Juvederm right for me?
With any cosmetic treatment, it’s important to understand if it’s the right fit for you.
The best way to determine this is by consulting an experienced specialist who can assess your skin, goals, and expectations..
Pros
- Improved appearance of facial wrinkles, folds, and smile lines
- Clinically proven to work
- Results can be seen immediately
- Minimally invasive treatment
- Treatment can last 9-12 months
Cons
- Bruising, swelling, or firmness may occur
- Treatment is not permanent
Radiesse
Best for: deep wrinkles, skin folds, sunken cheeks
Radiesse is another proven filler for reducing facial wrinkles and restoring lost volume. It’s often used for deeper lines or areas that appear sunken with age. Patients appreciate its long-lasting results, which can last up to 18 months, and the short recovery time, with most returning to work the next day.
How does Radiesse work?
As we age, our skin loses collagen and elastin, causing sagging and loss of firmness. Radiesse helps reverse these changes by stimulating natural collagen production and filling areas beneath the skin to smooth and lift.
The filler is injected below the surface to raise and plump the targeted area, making it especially effective for deep wrinkles, folds, and hollow cheeks. The result is a firmer, more youthful appearance that develops gradually.
Is Radiesse right for me?
Before making a decision, it’s best to consult a qualified specialist who can evaluate your needs. Here’s what to consider:
Pros
- Smooths out deep wrinkles and skin folds
- Improves the appearance of sunken facial features
- Clinically proven to last a year or more in many patients
- Quick, comfortable, and convenient procedure
- Minimal downtime
Cons
- Redness, swelling, tenderness, or itching may occur
Bellafill
Best for: larger wrinkled areas, long-term correction
Like other dermal fillers, Bellafill is safe and effective for all skin types. What makes it different is that it’s a semi-permanent filler, with results lasting more than five years for most patients. Because of its longevity, Bellafill is often chosen for treating larger, deeply wrinkled areas.
How does Bellafill work?
Bellafill has been used for more than a decade to treat deep lines such as nasolabial folds. Approved by the FDA over ten years ago, it’s known for its exceptional longevity and consistent results.
It’s a gel made from polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), collagen, and lidocaine. The PMMA microspheres stay in the skin and create a framework where new soft tissue can form, keeping wrinkles and folds smooth for years.
Results often last over five years, with follow-up treatments sometimes recommended every 6–12 weeks.
Is Bellafill right for me?
Because Bellafill lasts significantly longer than most fillers, it’s important to carefully weigh the pros and cons before choosing it.
Pros
- Benefits larger wrinkled areas
- Long-lasting results
- FDA-approved for the correction of smile lines
Cons
- Initial firmness, sensitivity, or swelling may occur
- Filler is semi-permanent and can only be removed through a surgical procedure
Belotero Balance
Best for: fine lines, lip lines, smile lines
Belotero Balance is a smooth, flexible gel that blends easily into facial tissue, giving natural-looking results. Because of its consistency, it helps maintain normal facial movement and expressions while softening lines and wrinkles.
How does Belotero Balance work?
Belotero contains hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance naturally found in the skin that keeps it smooth and hydrated.
As HA levels decrease with age, wrinkles and folds become more visible. By restoring HA through injection, Belotero fills in lines and binds with water to smooth the skin’s surface immediately.
Is Belotero Balance right for me?
This filler is ideal if you want a natural finish and subtle correction for fine or etched lines. Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons:
Pros
- Immediate results
- Proven to decrease the appearance of smile lines and other etched-in wrinkles
- Blends naturally into your skin
- Results maintain normal movements and facial expressions
Cons
- Temporary results
- Mild bruising, redness, or swelling may occur
Sculptra Aesthetic
Best for: smile lines, marionette lines, chin wrinkles
Sculptra Aesthetic is designed to treat the underlying cause of facial aging — the loss of collagen. Unlike fillers that show results immediately, Sculptra works gradually to restore volume and improve skin texture, with effects that can last more than two years.
How does Sculptra Aesthetic work?
Sculptra is made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a biocompatible material that stimulates the body’s natural collagen production. The injection is placed deep within the dermis to help strengthen the skin’s structure and restore fullness over time.
Is Sculptra Aesthetic right for me?
Sculptra is a good choice if you want subtle, progressive improvement rather than instant volume. Here’s what to consider:
Pros
- Injection is absorbed within the body in a matter of days
- No allergy testing is necessary
- Long-lasting results
Cons
- Multiple treatments are recommended
Have Questions About Dermal Fillers?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the different types of fillers and how they’ll work for you, don’t hesitate to give us a call. You can find additional details about these treatments on our page about dermal fillers. Our specialists are always available to answer questions and help you choose the option that best fits your goals.
