The most common fillers are made of a soft gel consisting of non-animal hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule that naturally occurs in the human body, and it is found in our skin. It helps hydrate and adds volume to the skin. It is naturally broken down by our own bodies. Dermal fillers consisting of hyaluronic acid include Restylane, Juvederm, Voluma, and Belotero.

Other fillers, such as Radiesse, consist of synthetic calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres suspended in an aqueous gel. Calcium hydroxylapatite is a natural mineral component found in bone. These microspheres stimulate your own collagen. Over time, the body degrades the calcium hydroxylapatite and gel, leaving behind your natural collagen.

Sculptra is made of a synthetic of lactic acid, called poly-l-lactic acid or PLLA. Lactic acid is also naturally occurring in our muscles after exercise. PLLA contains no animal products, and it is naturally degraded by our body’s own enzymes. It stimulates growth of the body’s natural collagen, and the results can be long lasting.