The main types of dermal fillers used in the United States are hyaluronic acid (HA), calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), and fat transferred from your own body. Each is made from a different material, lasts a different length of time, and suits different areas of the face.
This guide explains the different types of dermal fillers in plain language: what each is made of, where it works well, how long results usually last, and the trade-offs. You will also find a comparison table, guidance on choosing, and answers to common questions.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are gel-like substances injected beneath the skin to restore lost volume, soften lines and folds, and refine facial contours. In the United States they are regulated as medical devices, and the FDA’s overview of soft tissue fillers notes they are approved for adults aged 22 and older for specific uses, such as nasolabial folds, lips, cheeks, chin, and the backs of the hands.
The Main Types of Dermal Fillers
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Fillers
HA fillers are the most widely used filler category. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule found naturally in skin that holds water, giving the gel a soft, natural feel. Brand families include Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero, and RHA.
Thinner gels suit fine lines and lips, while firmer gels are designed for cheeks, chin, and jawline. If you are weighing the two biggest brands, a side-by-side look at Restylane and Juvederm can help.
Results typically last about 6 to 12 months, sometimes longer. The key advantage is reversibility. An enzyme called hyaluronidase can dissolve HA filler if a correction is needed, which is why HA is often suggested for first-time patients.
Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) Fillers
CaHA is a mineral-like compound found naturally in bone. In Radiesse, tiny CaHA particles are suspended in a gel. It is thicker than most HA products, so it is generally used for deeper folds, cheek and jawline contour, and the backs of the hands.
Results often last around a year or longer, and the particles may encourage your skin to produce its own collagen. However, CaHA cannot be dissolved and is generally not used in the lips or under the eyes.
Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) Fillers
PLLA is a biodegradable synthetic material long used in dissolvable stitches. Sold as Sculptra, it works as a collagen stimulator rather than filling a line on the spot. Results build gradually over a series of sessions and may last up to two years or more.
It suits people with broader volume loss who want subtle, gradual change, and is less suitable for instant results or lip shaping. Reviewing the advantages and drawbacks of collagen-stimulating injections helps set realistic expectations.
PMMA Fillers
PMMA fillers, such as Bellafill, contain tiny smooth microspheres suspended in a collagen gel. The body does not absorb the microspheres, so this is considered a non-absorbable, or permanent, filler. The FDA approves non-absorbable fillers only for nasolabial folds and cheek acne scars.
Because Bellafill contains bovine collagen, a skin test is required at least four weeks before treatment. Its PMMA microspheres are permanent and can be difficult or impossible to remove, so discuss the long-term commitment carefully with your provider.
Autologous Fat Transfer
Fat transfer, also called fat grafting, uses fat taken from another part of your body, purified, and injected into the face. It is a minor surgical procedure involving liposuction and more downtime, and results vary because not all transferred fat survives. It is typically performed by surgeons.
Dermal Filler Types at a Glance
| Filler type | Example brands | Common uses | Typical duration | Reversible? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyaluronic acid (HA) | Juvederm, Restylane, RHA, Belotero | Lips, cheeks, chin, lines and folds | About 6 to 12 months, sometimes longer | Yes, with hyaluronidase |
| Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) | Radiesse | Deeper folds, jawline, backs of hands | About 12 months or more | No |
| Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) | Sculptra | Gradual, widespread volume loss | Up to 2 years or more | No |
| PMMA | Bellafill | Nasolabial folds, cheek acne scars | Permanent, non-absorbable microspheres; visible results can change as your face ages. | No |
| Fat transfer | Your own fat | Larger volume restoration | Variable | No |
Durations are general ranges. Actual results vary with the product, treatment area, amount used, your metabolism, and injection technique.
How to Choose the Right Filler for Your Goals
The right filler depends on the area being treated, the change you want, how long you want it to last, and your comfort with a result that cannot be reversed.
- Lips and fine lines: soft, flexible HA
- Cheeks, chin, and jawline: firmer HA or CaHA
- Gradual, overall volume: PLLA
- Acne scars or long-term correction: PMMA, after careful discussion
For example, someone wanting slightly fuller lips usually starts with a soft HA filler, while someone with hollowing cheeks may be offered a firmer HA, a collagen stimulator, or both.
The product matters less than who is holding the syringe. Knowledge of facial anatomy, careful product selection, and conservative dosing are why an injector’s training and experience carry so much weight.
Risks and Safety Considerations
Common reactions to injectable fillers include swelling, bruising, redness, and tenderness, which often improve within days to weeks. Lumps or nodules may need treatment, so contact your provider about persistent, painful, or worsening changes. Fat transfer involves a longer recovery because it also requires harvesting fat. Accidental injection into a blood vessel is uncommon but can cause tissue death, blindness, or stroke. Seek immediate medical attention for unusual pain, vision changes, white, gray, or blue skin near the injection site, or stroke symptoms during or shortly after treatment.
The FDA also warns against buying fillers online, using needle-free “pen” devices, and using fillers for body contouring such as breast or buttock enhancement. Tell your provider about allergies, medications, previous fillers, and pregnancy or breastfeeding. A short list of safety checks to run through before a filler appointment can make your consultation more productive.
What Affects the Cost of Fillers?
Filler is typically priced per syringe, or per vial for PLLA. The total depends on the product, the amount needed, the provider’s credentials, and your region, so ask for a written quote. Cosmetic filler is generally not covered by insurance.
Compare Your Filler Options With a Qualified Provider
The types of dermal fillers differ mainly in material, longevity, and reversibility. HA fillers are flexible and reversible. CaHA and PLLA add structure and support collagen. PMMA and fat transfer are longer-term options for narrower situations.
The most useful next step is a consultation where a trained medical provider examines your face, reviews your health history, and explains which product fits your goals. At Avellina Aesthetics, you can review personalized facial volume and contouring treatments with our medical team.
Patients visit us from Abington, Allentown, Horsham, Huntingdon Valley and Southampton, as well as from across Delaware and Maryland. When you are ready, request a consultation with our team to talk through your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common type of dermal filler?
Hyaluronic acid fillers are the most common type. They look and feel natural, come in many thicknesses for different areas, and can be dissolved with hyaluronidase if needed.
Which dermal filler lasts the longest?
PMMA fillers such as Bellafill last the longest because the microspheres are not absorbed by the body. Among temporary fillers, longevity depends on the specific product and treatment area, not just the material. Some HA products, such as Juvéderm Voluma XC in the cheeks, can last up to two years with optimal treatment. Longer-lasting is not automatically better, since those results cannot be reversed.
Can all dermal fillers be dissolved?
No, only hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved. Hyaluronidase breaks down HA gel, often within days. CaHA, PLLA, and PMMA cannot be reversed this way, so concerns are managed with other treatments or by waiting for absorbable products to break down.
Which filler type is best for lips?
Soft, flexible hyaluronic acid fillers are the standard choice for lips. They move naturally when you speak and smile, and they can be adjusted or dissolved. CaHA and PLLA are generally avoided in the lips because of a higher risk of lumps.
How are fillers different from Botox?
Fillers add volume, while Botox relaxes muscles. Botox treats lines caused by movement, such as frown lines and crow's feet. Fillers address volume loss, folds visible at rest, and contour. Many people use both.
Educational information; your clinician can advise on care that is appropriate for you.
