There are two main classes of dermal fillers: permanent and temporary. The main permanent dermal filler in use today is silicone. There are a variety of temporary dermal fillers currently in use and several will be discussed below: Hydroxyappetite (Radiesse), hyaluronic acid (Restylane and Juvederm), and collagen. Temporary fillers are absorbed by the body over time, usually in 4-12 months and require repeated treatments to maintain the effect.

Last updated on January 24, 2010 by Donald Sudy, MD