13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |"Fillers" popular for erasing wrinkles

"Fillers" popular for erasing wrinkles

There are now dozens of ways to erase your wrinkles. One of the most popular is with a "filler," but how do you know which one is right for you?

Aside from surgically removing wrinkles, you could try cosmoderm and cosmoplast, which are temporary fixes. Both treat scars and fine lines around the eyes. Results last just three to four months at a cost of $350 to $500.

The most popular and commonly used fillers in the United States are juvederm, restylane and perlane. They share the same ingredient, hyaluronic acid, which binds water up to a thousand times its weight. It'll plump lips, fill in deep folds, and lasts about six months to a year at a cost of $500 to $700.

Radiesse is another option. It is made from bone. It fills in large areas on the face, hands and feet. Results last up to two years and cost $800.

Sculptra rounds out the top five fillers. It is used mainly in large areas like the cheek, or hands. Results last one to two years and the price is around $1200.

While Botox may work for some people, it is not a filler because it blocks muscle activity. When the muscle doesn't move, neither will the skin, so wrinkles temporarily relax.

"Botox is excellent for the forehead, the crows feet, and so on. But it's not a filler. You can't use it around the lips so much," said Dr. Johan Brahme, cosmetic surgeon.

Doctors say no matter which filler you choose, the important thing is to make sure it is FDA approved.