It’s called Aquamid ® and here in America it’s not well known. In Europe however, over 300,000 injections have been performed. It is used to contour the face and create more defined cheek bones. It’s also used for lip augmentation and chin augmentations to name a few. As of this update (September 9th, 2008) Aquamid is not FDA approved, but that doesn’t stop patients in Europe.

According to www.responsesource.com:

Aquamid® can be used to enhance and contour the face and create more defined cheekbones. The volume created comes mostly from water (97.5%) cross linked with Polyacrylamide to create a soft and uniform hydro gel that moves naturally with the face. As water is recognised by the body Aquamid® is readily accepted and forms a thin membrane around the implant which helps keep it in place, therefore preventing migration. In comparison to fillers containing micro particles, Aquamid® does not cause a foreign body reaction and will not cause tissue to harden. It simply becomes a soft and stable part of the tissue and remains in natural harmony with the body. Results achieved by Aqaumid® are instant and long lasting.

How long will it last then? It lasts at least four years according to a study published in 2004. 104 patients in the study that received the injections were asked after four years what they thought of the results. 78% said very good and 22% said good.

So what are you to do if you can’t make a trip to London anytime soon to get this filler? Ask any dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon if they have it for off-label use. Sometimes they will bring it back from medical conferences in Europe. You can also wait for the FDA to approve this filler, as they are expected to approve it eventually.

Check out this article about new facial fillers that are on the way.

Let’s forget about political issues and let’s take a look at the real story here.
Did she get plastic surgery done?
It sure looks like it. After all, how else can you age 24 years without looking a day older?

On the right is a before and after picture, of 24 years. Her eyes are just as big, forehead just as smooth, under the eyes just as full, as 24 years ago. I doubt she’s had major plastic surgery done, such as a face lift. The only sign of aging is that her smile has perhaps a few more wrinkles. These all look filled in with some kind of facial filler. If I had to guess as to which facial filler she had done, I’d say Juvederm for the area around her cheeks and under her eyes, and Botox for any wrinkles around the eyes and forehead.

Regardless of any plastic surgery she’s had done, there is also a good possibility that she has had nothing done to her face at all. Is the cold and crisp Alaskan air preserving beauty like some sort of air borne “Fountain of Youth”?
I doubt it.
I’m sure many will disagree with me when I say she has to have been under the needle. How could anyone resist looking young when the cost of facial fillers is so low?
You be the judge.

Here is a pretty good video (although old, November 2006) that shows patients being injected with facial fillers like Juvederm and Sculptra. The results are more natural and subtle than face lifts. Sculptra is reported as lasting up to two years.

If you’re sick and tired of people asking you “Did you get enough sleep? You look so tired!” then facial fillers can help. As people age, their faces ‘sink’. Facial fillers will fill them in and restore your natural beauty. Your friends won’t be able to tell that you’ve had plastic surgery, and everyone will think you look great.

Everybody loves top 5′s. What are the five most popular facial fillers? I don’t know.. but here’s my top 5 list anyways.

5) ArteColl ®/ ArteFill ® – This is the first injectable to provide a permanent support solution to fill wrinkles and prevent further wrinkling. (In the United States, ArteColl ® is approved strictly for correction of nasolabial folds.)

4) Sculptra ® - An injectable made of synthetic polylactic acid contained in microspheres, Sculptra ® is the first FDA-approved injectable for the restoration of lost facial volume (correction of lipoatrophy) in people with HIV infection.

3) Radiesse ® (formerly known as Radiance) - This is a synthetic dermal filler made of calcium hydroxyapatite is utilized for the correction of moderate to severe wrinkles and folds. This injectable is a longer-lasting filler because the body forms collagen around the microspheres; adding bulk to the injected areas.

2) Restylane ® – A non-animal, biodegradable gel composed of hyaluronic acid, Restylane ® is a soft tissue filler that adds volume to the skin through tiny injections; smoothing facial folds and wrinkles in areas around the mouth and eyes.

1) Juvederm ™ – Made of a hyaluronic acid gel, Juvederm ™ is a naturally-occurring substance in the skin that contributes to volume and hydration. Juvederm ™ is designed to temporarily correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds.

Image courtesy of fairesplasticsurgery.com

On average Juvederm costs $684. Doctors usually charge per tube. Make sure you ask to see before and after photos, and how many times he or she has done the procedure.

Be sure to read testimonials and become educated on the subject before you get the procedure done.

When you undergo a face lift, your face will look different, and not always in a good way. Take for example actress Jessica Lange. The photo on the left is from 1980, and the photo on the right is from 2005. You can tell in the photo on the right that she has a very surprised look. This is a considered a classic sign of a traditional face lift.

The reason for this is when you get a face lift, your skin is stretched to the top of your face. There are many cases where getting a face lift does not give the surprised look. In fact, many plastic surgeons can give you a face lift without making you look surprised all the time.

A wonderful alternative to face lifts is facial fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane, Radiesse, Pearlane and Sculptra. Each of these fillers are slightly different, and vary in what they are made from, how much they cost, where they are used on the face, and how long they last.

However, all of them are not cheap. They are cheaper than a face lift though. How much is your face worth to you? To many people it is worth the expense. Usually these injections will cost $500-$1000 and have to be performed 2 – 3 times a year. While a face lift can cost around $4000, and easily cost more with added procedures commonly being done at the same time as a face lift.

The best thing about facial fillers is that they build upon the natural beauty that people have. They fill in the gaps that age brings upon us. Some facial fillers, such as Juvederm, have been known to actually stimulate collagen growth.

A perfect example of facial fillers working great is Demi Moore. You can see how facial fillers have given her a natural look. She still looks just as young as she did years ago. That is what is so great about facial fillers. Perhaps face lifts will slowly fade out as more facial fillers come on market.

Johnson and Johnson is even releasing their own wrinkle fighting filler. It was approved by the FDA and has been in use by other countries since 2004. It’s called Evolence and is made from tendons harvested from pigs. It’s unlikey it will make a huge dent against Juvederm and Restylane which are produced in a lab.

Facial fillers are used by cosmetic surgeons, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons to reduce wrinkles and soften the deep folds in faces of patients. The fillers are usually made with collagen, Hyaluronan Acid, or even your own body fat!

What are they called?
Some of the more popular facial fillers are Juvéderm (often written as Juvederm), and Restylane. There are other fillers out there as well, such as collagen (Zyplast), Hydroxylapatite, PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylate), and even your own fat harvested from your body.

Juvéderm is made from Hyaluronan Acid and is usually used to fill in wrinkles around the eyes and mouth. Juvéderm is also used to fill in scars on some patients.

Restylane is also made from Hyaluronic acid. It is most commonly used for lip augmentation. It can also be used for filling in wrinkles and filling in the facial hollows underneath the eyes.

How long does it last?
Depending on what facial filler you get, your results will vary. Juvéderm is expected to last from 6-9 months, with many patients reporting the injection lasted an entire year. Restylane lasts around six months.

How much does it cost?
Juvederm costs around $500-$700 dollars per tube. If you are to get a near face lift quality procedure, then you will typically use around three or four tubes. Prices vary by location and doctor. The only way to know how much your procedure will cost, will be to get a consultation with a cosmetic or plastic surgeon. If you need help finding a doctor, try this plastic surgery site.