This article compares two types of dermal fillers: HA fillers and biostimulatory fillers; compares the different brands of each; and discusses how to maintain the results so they last longer. Which Type of Dermal Filler Lasts the Longest? Injectable dermal fillers offer a wide range of treatments for patients looking for minimally invasive enhancement and anti-aging results. With diverse formulas and applications, patients have plenty of options to choose from. The fact that dermal fillers are not permanent is a selling point for many people, especially those who aren’t ready to commit to more permanent enhancements with surgery. But if you love your dermal filler results, you’d naturally want them to last as long as possible! Below, we will break down how long each type of dermal filler lasts so you can plan accordingly. Hyaluronic Acid Fillers Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are a popular option to restore volume, contour the face, and fill in creases. These fillers consist of a sterile gel solution containing hyaluronic acid as the active ingredient, allowing them not only to add immediate volume but also to deliver hydration to the treatment area for a supple, soft result. Restylane® is a hyaluronic acid (HA) filler brand that typically lasts 6 to 18 months, although filler longevity ultimately depends on the injection site and the specific formula. JUVÉDERM® is another hyaluronic acid (HA) filler brand that can last up to 2 years. It is commonly used for adding volume to the face and eliminating wrinkles. BELOTERO BALANCE® is ideal for fine lines and delicate areas of the face, such as the tear troughs, so the formula is very subtle and soft, lasting about 6 to 12 months. Biostimulatory Injectables These injectables provide volume like HA fillers do, but have the added benefit of promoting the natural production of collagen in the body, often lasting longer than alternative treatments. They have different active ingredients that act as stimulants or scaffolds for the collagen, suspended in a volumizing gel. Sculptra® uses poly-L-lactic acid to stimulate collagen deep in the skin, ideally treating lost volume and poor skin texture in the cheeks, temples, and jawline, with results lasting up to 2 years. RADIESSE® is formulated with calcium hydroxylapatite, providing instant volume and collagen production in the lower face, hands, and jawline. RADIESSE® lasts 12 to 18 months, sometimes longer. Renuva® is a little different from the above options, as it uses a regenerative fat matrix to promote a natural increase in volume through the body’s own healing properties. Results can last for years or indefinitely, as new fat cells are created that support volume in the area. Will I Need Multiple Treatments With Injectables and Fillers? The specific number of treatments will vary depending on the type of filler, the treatment area, and your goals. Many patients who wish to increase the volume of their cheeks or lips may need multiple sessions to achieve the desired results and may need to return yearly to maintain them. Biostimulatory injectables often require fewer maintenance visits, as the collagen production lasts longer than the gel in HA fillers. But most patients will need more than one visit to achieve ideal aesthetic results, then return for maintenance. Your practitioner will provide you with a treatment plan during your consultation, including how many sessions you may need and their frequency. How to Help Maintain Results From Injectable Fillers The body naturally breaks down the gel component of most injectable fillers, especially HA fillers. But there’s plenty that you can do to prevent the breakdown and make your filler results last longer. A few factors affect the longevity of your injectables, including placement. Dermal fillers in areas with high mobility, like the lips or around the mouth, typically break down faster than in static areas like the cheeks or under-eyes. Some ways to maintain the results of your fillers: Avoid putting pressure on the treatment areas Limit alcohol and nicotine Use sun protection Stay hydrated Use good skincare Maintain a healthy diet Want to Learn More About Fillers in Miami, FL? Call the expert injectors at 4Beauty Medspa at (786) 496-9444 or complete the contact form to learn more about which filler option will be best for your needs.
Traditional BBL vs. Non-Surgical BBL: Which Is Best for You?
Traditional BBL vs. Non-Surgical BBL: Pros & Cons A traditional BBL and a non-surgical BBL have one thing in common: they both volumize your buttocks, resulting in enhanced curves and boosted confidence. However, these two cosmetic procedures go about this very differently. So, how do you know which one is right for you? In this blog post, we’re going to discuss the pros and cons of a traditional Brazilian butt lift vs. a non-surgical butt augmentation and help you decide which is best for you. Ready? Let’s dive in! What Is a Traditional BBL? A traditional BBL, otherwise known as a Brazilian butt lift, is a cosmetic procedure that involves transferring fat to your buttocks to add volume to your curves. The term ‘lift’ is a bit misleading as there is no actual lifting involved. During a BBL surgery, the surgeon will use liposuction to remove fat from your belly, hips, thighs, or other part(s) of your body, then inject the fat into the buttocks to create a more voluminous, hourglass-shaped figure. This procedure is popular and can yield excellent results, but it requires downtime and general anesthesia. Now, let’s look at what a non-surgical BBL is. What Is a Non-Surgical BBL? Real Results from a 4Beauty Med Spa client A non-surgical BBL is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure that naturally enhances the appearance of your buttocks using Radiesse or Sculptra Aesthetic. Sculptra is an injectable that uses poly-L-lactic acid. When injected into your dermal layers, it kickstarts your body’s natural collagen production. While ‘collagen’ may feel like a beauty buzzword, it’s much more than this. Collagen is a protein responsible for your skin’s elasticity and can help tighten, smooth, and sculpt, making Sculptra a great option for natural butt augmentation. But is it a better option than a traditional BBL? Traditional BBL vs. Non-Surgical BBL: Pros & Cons It’s time for us to dive a little deeper into the pros and cons of a traditional BBL vs. Non-invasive butt lift procedure. First up, a traditional Brazilian butt lift. What Are the Pros & Cons of a Brazilian Butt Lift? A Brazilian butt lift is a great option for anyone looking to avoid butt implants while still enhancing their buttocks. But to determine if it’s best for you, we need to take a closer look at the pros and cons of this cosmetic surgery. Pros of a traditional BBL: One-time procedure Can contour your waist and remove fat from wherever you don’t want it Boosts confidence Can help you achieve an hourglass shape Semi-permanent results that can last over a decade Cons of a traditional BBL: 2-4 weeks of downtime No sitting or lying on your butt until the area is healed Longer recovery time Must undergo general anesthesia during surgery If you don’t have enough fat, you aren’t a good candidate for this procedure As you can see, there’s a lot to consider before you choose this operation, but it’s one that can yield great results after the initial healing phase. Let’s see how a BBL compares to a Radiesse or Sculptra butt augmentation. What Are the Pros & Cons of a Non-Invasive Butt Augmentation? Real Results from a 4Beauty Med Spa client The differentiating factor between a non-surgical BBL and a BBL is that no surgery is required, only injectables. Let’s take a closer look: Pros of a non-surgical BBL: Less than 24 hours of downtime Minimal pain and can resume all normal activity the next day Non-surgical, so no general anesthesia is required Works for patients of all sizes Stimulates the body’s natural collagen production to volumize your buttocks and gives very natural results Boosts confidence Cons of a non-surgical BBL: 2-3 sessions are recommended for optimal results Results only last 2-3 years More expensive than a BBL 7 Questions to Decide Which Procedure Is Right for You When it comes to deciding between a Brazilian Butt Lift and a Sculptra augmentation, you need to decide what’s most important to you. Is it… Cost Pain & downtime Invasiveness of procedure Length of results Real Results from a 4Beauty Med Spa Client Here are some questions you can ask yourself to finally determine if a Brazilian or a non-invasive butt lift is right for you. 1. Are you willing to undergo surgery? If your answer is a resounding ‘No!” then you’re not a good candidate for a BBL. A non-surgical butt augmentation would be a great alternative for you and still yield amazing results. 2. How long do you want your results to last? A BBL is a great choice if you’re looking for semi-permanent results (lasting as long as 10 years or more). Sculptra, on the other hand, lasts an average of 2-3 years before additional treatments are needed. However, your traditional BBL might not last as long if you gain weight. The following can affect the duration of your results: Body weight fluctuations Lifestyle and diet changes Natural effects of aging Changes in exercise and activity The skill of the surgeon 3. How much are you willing to pay? On average, a Sculptra butt lift can cost anywhere from $6,500 to $9,000 per session. Why such a big price range? Because everyone’s aesthetic goals are unique. If you’re only looking to eliminate butt dimples, otherwise known as hip dips, then you won’t need as much Sculptra. But if you’re looking for a full booty augmentation, then the cost will be on the higher end. Within the United States, a traditional BBL can cost anywhere from $6,000 to $20,000 depending on the level of skill of the surgeon, location of practice, and several other factors. However, a Brazilian butt lift can last longer than Sculptra injectables. If price is your primary concern, then focus on scheduling a consultation with a trusted practitioner to receive a custom quote for the procedure before you decide. 4. How’s your pain tolerance? Since a BBL is a cosmetic surgery, it does involve significant downtime–anywhere from 2-3 weeks. During this time, you won’t be able to sit on your buttocks comfortably until the area is fully healed. Oftentimes patients are prescribed pain medication to help manage pain. Whereas with Sculptra nonsurgical butt lifts, pain is very minimal, if present at all! 5. Are you willing to accept the risks of surgery? Injectables like Sculptra have very few risks. While bruising and soreness may occur, there are much more serious risks associated with a BBL surgery, such as: Infection Scarring Issues associated with general anesthesia Nerve damage If you already have existing health concerns or know that you don’t respond well to general anesthesia, then this invasive cosmetic procedure isn’t right for you and you should consider Sculptra. It’s best to always speak with your primary care physician before undergoing any cosmetic procedures. 6. Do you have time for downtime? If you can’t find the time to carve out 2-3 weeks of downtime for the foreseeable future, then a Brazilian butt lift isn’t plausible for you. With Sculptra, you can walk out of your appointment and resume normal activities the next day. 7. How quickly do you want to see results? Once your BBL is healed, you’ll see your full results! However, Sculptra requires 2-3 sessions over a 6-month period before you see optimal results. Main Takeaways All in all, a traditional BBL is a good option if you’re in great health and don’t mind undergoing invasive surgery to achieve semi-permanent curves. But Sculptra Butt Lift is the best option for anyone looking for a non-invasive, natural way to enhance their buttocks without pain and downtime. Real Results from a 4Beauty Medspa client Sculptra Butt Lift at 4Beauty Medspa in Miami `Ready to build your curves and your confidence? At 4Beauty Medspa, our Miami team, led by board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Constantino Mendieta, MD, will meet with you to discuss your aesthetic goals. We pair non-invasive and innovative treatments to give you completely tailored, natural results. Book your free consultation today!