If you haven't already heard, Galderma (owners of Restylane and Dysport) are adding two new dermal fillers this spring - Restylane Refyne and Defyne. Refyne and Defyne are known in Europe as Emervel Classic and Deep and have been very popular for years. Restylane Refyne will be best used for fine to moderate lines and for enhancing the lips. Defyne is for moderate lines and areas that need more lift such as the cheeks, deeper nasolabial folds and marionettes.
This announcement comes right on the heels of two other new dermal fillers, Juvederm Volbella and Voluma, which brings the number of them in the US to 26. It sounds like a lot until you compare it to Europe who has over 130.
The reason Europe has so many more dermal fillers is because they are classified as non-prescription medical devices and in the US they are considered prescribed medical devices which limits who can and cannot inject them.
In both countries, hyaluronic acid (or HA's) are the most popular of the dermal fillers mostly because of their ability to be reversed and are typically more affordable than longer lasting dermal fillers. As the demand for dermal fillers increases, you can count on more HA's being available here in the US.
Here are five things that will help you choose which one is best for you!
1. Non-hyaluronic fillers are Bellafill (also known as Artefill), Allofill (donated human fat tissue), Sculptra (a synthetic material called poly-L-lactic acid) and Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite) that's great for those who metabolize hyaluronic acid quickly and can be injected everywhere in the face except in the lips. These 4 fillers can last up to 5 years and should only be injected by an experienced health care professional. If you've never had dermal fillers before, these are not for you.
2. The better known FDA approved hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are Belotero Balance, Juvederm XC, Juvederm Ultra XC, Juvederm Volbella XC, Juvederm Voluma XC, Restylane, Restylane Silk and Restylane Lyft.
3. The biggest difference in HA's is their particle size. For less volume, like the lips, you'd need a smaller particle sized product such as Restylane Silk or Juvederm Volbella XC. For more volume, say in the cheek area, you'd need a larger sized particle produced such as Juvederm Voluma XC or Restylane Lyft.
4. There are still some collagen dermal fillers being used (Evolence, Cosmoderm, Fibrel, Zyderm and Zyplast), however, they are very short lived when compared to the other dermal fillers and do not offer the 'lifting' that HA's do.
5. Keep in mind that the companies that own these dermal fillers are competing for your business! Most have loyalty programs (Brilliant Distinctions, Aspire Rewards and Xperience Program) that offer discounts if you are faithful to their products.