Best selling face fillers In the beauty industry, it’s rare to see a product that has existed for almost two decades suddenly spike in popularity, especially within a new demographic from its originally-intended audience. Dermal fillers have been around for 16 years, but they’ve had quite a renaissance in the last five. This is due largely in part to celebs like Kylie Jenner who are open about their use of filler to accentuate their features. In her Paper Magazine cover story, Jenner admitted that her face has transformed, but not due to any facelifts or cut-crease shadow application. Her explanation was simple: “It’s fillers. I’m not denying that.
But what are fillers, really, and what are the apprehensions around using them (aside from the evaporating social stigmas)? We discuss it all below.
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What Are the Different Types of Filler?
Firstly, there are many options when it comes to the types of filler. There are two principal manufacturers of injectable filler: the publicly-traded company Allergan, and Galderma, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nestlé (yes, like the chocolate). Allergan is also the manufacturer of the widely-known and trademarked botulinum toxin wrinkle treatment, Botox, along with several models of the most commonly used silicone breast implants. It’s safe to say that Allergan dominates much of the cosmetic enhancement market.
In June, 2006, the FDA approved Juvéderm, a family of hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers for long-lasting correction of facial wrinkles and folds.1 Juvéderm is a natural, biodegradable product (as is Galderma’s product, Restylane and its family of competitive HA dermal fillers).
Today in the U.S., both the Juvéderm and Radiesse families of dermal fillers each have five different but comparable products to address various facial concerns, such as smoothing wrinkles and adding volume to sunken or depressed areas. Fillers also have different molecule designations, like high G Prime.
How Are Fillers Used?
Filler products can be injected via a needle or a blunt-tip cannula. With the cannula technique, which reduces bruising and swelling, an initial injection site is created by a needle and then a tiny tube is inserted into the face to distribute the product—it’s less scary than it sounds since you’re not actually watching this happen on your face. It’s up to the discretion of the injector which technique is best for which filler and in what area, but we strongly recommend you go to a professional who is trained in both methods. Additionally, both HA filler families dissolve naturally and gradually over time, generally between 6 to 24 months depending on the individual and the product used.3
Which Filler Is Right For You?
Navigating which fillers (and which technique) to choose for different regions of the face can be difficult, especially considering using the right product is essential to achieving the most desired results. For definitive answers, we turned to two experts from both coasts: NYC-based cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Marnie Nussbaum and Beverly Hills facial plastic surgeon Dr. Jonathan Cabin. If you’re considering dermal filler, or if you’ve had it before and want to know more, here’s our definitive guide to facial fillers to use according to each injection site.
Best selling face filler Brands
Meet the product line up of HA fillers for each brand.
Juvéderm:
- Voluma XC
- Ultra XC
- Volbella XC
- Vollure XC
- Ultra Plus XC
Restylane:
- Restylane
- Defyne
- Refyne
- Lyft
- Silk
- Kysse
- Contour
The Injection Sites
Learn about which products are best suited for each area of the face according to our experts.
Best selling face fillers for Cheekbones
Dr. Nussbaum: “The cheekbones generally need more of a lift than the lower face. Therefore, we would use a filler with a high G Prime and particle size, such as Juvéderm Voluma XC, Restylane Lyft, or even Juvéderm Ultra XC if the skin is thin.”
Dr. Cabin: “Juvéderm Voluma XC via blunt-tip cannula. It’s a thick filler, so it adds structure and support. It is also the longest-lasting HA filler (up to 2 years), so it is the best financial investment for this region.”
Best selling face fillers Chin
Dr. Nussbaum: “The chin usually needs projection from underneath, for which Juvéderm Ultra XC or Restylane Lyft may be used.”
Dr. Cabin: “Juvéderm Voluma XC via needle. Like [the] cheeks, it’s thick, which is great for structure, and again, it is the longest-lasting HA filler.”
Dr. Cabin: “If I have to choose one, Juvéderm Volbella XC via needle. Most of my patients want a natural, hydrated, augmented lip, and are rarely in the market for the Kardashian/Jenner effect. In these cases, I go with Juvéderm Volbella XC for two reasons: It comes in a 0.6cc syringe (instead of the typical 1cc syringes most other fillers come in), and patients generally don’t need more than this in their lips. It is soft and natural-looking and, most importantly, feeling. So, in kissing your partner, it is least likely to feel any different than a normal lip.
If someone really wants big lips, has super de-volumized lips, or needs me to build a lot of shape and structure, I opt for Juvéderm Ultra XC via needle. It is thicker than Juvéderm Volbella XC, and it loves water, so the lips can hold better shape and get super juicy.”
Jawline
Dr. Nussbaum: “The jawline needs definition. Therefore, Juvéderm Ultra XC, Juvéderm Voluma XC, or Restylane Defyne may be used.”
Dr. Cabin: “For posterior jawline (toward the angle of the jaw) I would use Juvéderm Voluma XC with a cannula or a needle. Posterior jawline, just like filling the chin and cheeks, is building onto bone.
For anterior jawline filler (toward the chin, also called the ‘post-jowl sulcus’) I would use Juvéderm Vollure XC with a cannula. Anterior jawline, which is just behind the chin, is very susceptible to smile-related movement. For this reason, I like to fill here at multiple depths to ensure it looks perfectly natural with movement. That’s why Juvéderm Vollure XC, a great ‘hybrid’ filler, is perfect for this.”
Best selling face fillers for Under-Eye/Tear Trough
Dr. Nussbaum: “Tear troughs need a filler that will not draw in a ton of water, while also avoiding the Tyndall effect (the bluish tint under the skin). Therefore, Restylane is ideal for this area.”
Dr. Cabin: “Restylane with cannula. Under-eye filler is the most challenging in my hands, and the most overused in our industry. The most important consideration with under-eye filler is that a filler takes in as little water as possible (or, in technical terms, is relatively ‘hydrophobic’). Otherwise, you’ll trade under-eye hollows with bags made mostly of water. Restylane is relatively hydrophobic, and tends to look the most natural under the eyes.”
“The thing about filler is to use the correct filler for the right patient in the right amount,” Dr. Nussbaum emphasizes. Like many beauty trends, both experts agree that with filler, less is definitely more.