Injectable wrinkles fillers have become the quickest, most effective way for patients to fix facial aging and achieve a fresh, youthful appearance without the risks and recovery time of invasive procedures.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), injectable fillers were among the most popular of all surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures in 2005, increasing by 35 percent from the previous year.

“Injectable fillers offer people a quick and extremely effective solution to facial aging. These products allow us to fill in fines lines, wrinkles and depressed areas of the face with immediate, visible results…Most people can walk out of our office and go on with their daily routines uninterrupted,” said Dominic Brandy, M.D., board-certified plastic surgeon.

The most commonly used fillers include hyaluronic acid and collagen-based formulas, which are both produced naturally in the human body. Hyaluronic acid-based fillers such as Restylane and Captique are made from non-animal acid and are used to treat mild to moderate wrinkles and folds in the face. Treatments may last four to six months.

Collagen-based products such as Cosmoderm and CosmoPlast are made with purified human skin tissue, which terminates the risk of adverse side effects. Treatments may last from three to six months.

As more and more people seek the appearance of smooth, wrinkle-free skin, longer-lasting injectable fillers will need to be developed. According to ASAPS, “The future of injectable fillers remains bright as new products enter the market and become available to those interested in cosmetic and plastic surgery. These new substances will be longer lasting, safe, and deliver superior results.”