From subtle enhancements to transformative results, hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers have redefined the art and science of facial aesthetics.
These days, we seek natural-looking results that do more than simply “fill” but also prompt our skin to create more natural proteins for a youthful boost from within. But what does it take to get there? From the manufacturing processes that transform HA into fillers, to the safety protocols that ensure only a high-quality product ends up in a syringe, let’s find out what it takes to create the future of fillers today.
What’s In a Filler?
Demystifying HA Dermal Fillers
Hyaluronic acid (HA) plays a crucial role in our body; it allows our joints to glide seamlessly during movement, and it keeps our skin hydrated by attracting and strongly holding water molecules. You’ve probably seen it show up as a star skin-care ingredient, but HA also shows up in products like dietary supplements and even eye drops. The widespread adoption of HA across many fields pertains to its biological qualities and safety which makes it among the preferred ingredients for dermal fillers.
“Dermal fillers are versatile and powerful tools that can provide a diverse range of cosmetic treatments, says Dr. Sonja Sattler, MD, International Aesthetic Dermatologic Surgeon. “There are hundreds of fillers to choose from. For physicians, this can be overwhelming. Understanding exactly what goes into a syringe is step one.”
Thanks to years of clinical research, HA fillers have become highly specialized to meet specific goals. Firmer formulations can be altered to create structure in places like the jawline, to be more flexible for shaping the lips, or to be more fluid for rejuvenating the skin at its surface.
What Sets an HA Filler Apart from the Pack?
Crosslinking technologies are critical to how HA filler performs – it is this part of the filler manufacturing process that is kept confidential between different brands (via patents). Essentially, crosslinking connects different HA molecules together which increases the stability and longevity of HA within the skin (and affects the length of time HA treatments last) and critically determines filler behavior within the skin. It also helps provide structural strength to HA molecules—an important feature in volumizing HA fillers. Multiple phases of crosslinking at different densities helps to create a product that’s biomimetic, that mimics the behavior of the dermis (the middle layer of the skin).
“At Merz Aesthetics, we developed the CPM Gel (Cohesive Polydensified Matrix Technology),” says Terri Phillips, MD, FAAP, Chief Medical Officer at Merz Aesthetics. “This unique, double crosslinking approach enables us to create a diverse range of HA fillers that seamlessly integrate with the tissue into which they are injected, creating treated skin that looks and behaves like native skin. At every stage, we follow rigorous purification processes to ensure all our HA fillers meet the highest quality standards.”
From Lab to Lips
From Your Doctor to You
Aesthetic results are a key factor for patients choosing a dermal filler treatment, but it’s not the only factor worth considering. It matters how dermal fillers are manufactured, handled and transported. From the pristine lab environments in Switzerland, to the practitioner’s hands and ultimately to your skin, understanding the process can help you feel confident you’ve made the right choice.
“We are passionate about patient education and want patients to feel equipped, informed and enabled as partners in their aesthetic treatments,” says Dr. Phillips. “It is our responsibility to empower patients by providing transparency about the science behind their aesthetics treatment and for patients to know they are making a choice that meets their high expectations and standards of safe and effective treatments.”
In the lab, HA molecules are first transformed into linearized structures to make it easier to crosslink. Crosslinking is performed next. Different HA fillers are created by adjusting the crosslinking parameters, which ultimately determines the filler’s structure and behavior. This is where science meets art, and the challenge explains why many companies develop their own unique crosslinking technologies. Once crosslinked, the HA product undergoes multiple purification and sterilization steps before it is loaded into final syringes. The final syringes are then distributed to providers.
Science and Safety Are the New Luxury
Transparency in filler science and clinical outcomes are critical and makes for a responsible medical aesthetic company. Aesthetic treatments (like HA fillers) are gaining popularity and becoming increasingly accessible. Patients and practitioners therefore need to have the knowledge to make informed choices which includes access to credible science behind their fillers.
“When caring for my patients, I choose fillers based on patient factors, product factors and procedural factors, says Dr. Sattler. “Of course, the filler needs to be able to deliver the outcomes my patient desires. Above all, the filler must be safe—I prefer to use brands with a long history of safety as demonstrated with supportive scientific literature. Fillers from different brands can behave very differently. My preference is for fillers which integrate seamlessly and move naturally with facial expressions as I find these lead to the best outcomes and the happiest patients”
To make the right choice and meet your goals, practitioners need to know how a filler will perform as well as how long it will last. And getting that information requires rigorous testing, safety measures and research on the part of the brand.
As a patient, understanding what’s being injected beneath your skin can help achieve your goals and guide the best treatment plan, building confidence in both your decisions and your practitioner’s expertise.
The Future of Fillers
Confidence in treatment options
Patients should look for biomimetic fillers that go beyond just filling and work with your skin. Rather than a “one-size-fits-all” filler, choose one that adapts dynamically to your own skin environment. Biomimetic fillers are the future. A biomimetic filler built with technology that allows seamless integration within your skin and moves in harmony with your facial expressions while also achieving natural-looking outcomes is ideal. Your filler choice matters.
“Every one of my patients is unique, and I love how the advancements in HA fillers have enabled me to honor this individuality within my practice,” says Dr. Sattler “Biomimetic fillers are designed to adapt to each person’s skin and not the other way around, and this level of personalization is exactly where the future of aesthetic treatments is headed.”
As aesthetic treatments like dermal fillers become more and more accessible, both practitioners and patients need the knowledge to make informed choices. Transparency in science and safety doesn’t just help demystify the products we’re putting in our faces, it’s a distinguishing factor that sets fillers apart.
Science and safety are where beauty truly begins, empowering us to find the perfect match and choose it with confidence.
