As the idea of youthful-looking skin has grown in popularity, many options regarding skincare have popped up in the market. Aside from the typical creams and serums, injectable skincare and fillers have become viable options for women who look to have a deeper level of skin rejuvenation.
There are a couple of well-known filler brands out there, with their own identifying features. Choosing the right option can be overwhelming. So, to help you, here’s a rundown of five of the most popular fillers in Asia. We’ll break down aspects such as formulation and possible side effects.
Sunekos
A brand that has become one of the popular fillers in Asia is Sunekos and is recently launched in Singapore gaining huge popularity. Like the other fillers, Sunekos uses hyaluronic acid in its formulation. However, what differentiates it is its patented HA + HY6AA patented formula.This is unique to Sunekos and has a “golden ratio”, where a slight change can produce different results. Learn more about Sunekos here.
HY6AA is the combination of six specific types of Amino Acids: Glycine, L-Valine, L-Proline, L-Alanine, L-Leucine, L-Lysine. These amino acids help bring back volume to the skin. It also serves as building blocks of collagen and elastin, which help lessen wrinkle formation.
The HY6AA formula is then combined with hyaluronic acid (HA), which serves as a carrier that brings the amino acids to deeper layers of the skin. HA + HY6AA helps stimulate the fibroblast activities inside the Extracellular Matrix (ECM) in the dermis, which may have slowed due to factors like aging. The patented formula also helps stimulate the production of elastin and collagen, specifically Type 4 Collagen, which is the hardest to produce.
Sunekos comes in two variants: Sunekos 200 and Sunekos 1200. Sunekos 200 is a dermal filler that helps with ECM regeneration and production of collagen and elastin, as mentioned earlier. Its formula consists of Hyaluronic Acid (0.2 Mio-Dalton) + HY6AA.
On the other hand, Sunnekos 1200 is a booster, used alongside Sunekos 200. It is known for its antioxidant properties for severe wrinkles and damaged skin. It also has volumizing properties and protects the structure of the dermis. Its formula includes Hyaluronic Acid (1.2 Mio-Dalton) + HY6AA.
Sunekos is one of the newer brands among these but it has gained notoriety for its benefits such as:
- Correcting and protecting dermis from signs of aging
- Reducing expression lines and thin wrinkles
- Tissue Regeneration
- Superficial and Deep Hydration
- Restoring Skin Elasticity and Natural Volumes
- Reducing Facial Volume Loss
Profhilo
The second brand we’re discussing is Profhilo. Profhilo is a stabilised injectable hyaluronic acid for treating skin laxity. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a substance naturally produced by the body that helps keep the skin moist and supple.
Profhilo injects levels of HA to the skin for rejuvenation. The formulation lasts in the skin for around 28 days. During the said period, stimulation of 4 different types of collagen and elastin takes place through slow release of HA.
Many don’t consider Profhilo as a filler per se. Rather than filling wrinkles to smooth out the creases, Prohilo works more as a skin booster that improves the elasticity of the skin. However, it still has some tightening and lifting properties.
Furthermore, Profhilo is free from additives and impurities, such as butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE), a synthetic chemical in dermal fillers.
With that said, Profhilo can still have the same negative effects as other dermal fillers. Mild bruising and swelling are common side effects. While rare, allergic reaction, infection, and nerve damage may also happen. Learn more about Profhilo here.
Juvederm
Another one of the popular fillers in Asia is Juvederm. Juvederm is also hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler that helps people address facial signs of aging. It has a small amount of pain-reducing lidocaine, reducing discomfort during the procedure. Juvederm fillers usually have a smooth, gel-like consistency.
Juvederm offers several products, each having its distinct feature and concentration of HA. It also targets specific problems when injected in different areas. Some of the available Juvederm products include:
- Juvederm Voluma XC (adds volume to the cheeks)
- Juvederm XC and Juvederm Vollure XC (improves skin elasticity around the mouth and nose)
- Juvederm Ultra XC and Juvederm Volbella XC (works as nonsurgical lip enhancements)
Side effects of Juvederm can include: tenderness, swelling, firmness, lumps and bumps, bruising, redness, discoloration, and itching. The procedure can also interfere with immunosuppressive therapy or substances that can prolong bleeding, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or other blood thinners. Make sure to consult with your doctor if you take these medications. Learn more about Juvederm here.
Restylane
Restylane is a clear gel formulation of hyaluronic acid. It’s one of the popular fillers in Asia specifically formulated to act like the body’s own naturally-produced HA. It helps to visibly correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, specifically the lines running around your nose and mouth.
Restylane was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for lip enhancements since 2003. With that said, it is not approved for patients under the age of 21.
Much like other dermal fillers, Restylane has a risk of side effects. The level of discomfort can be mild to tolerable, depending on your pain tolerance, that can last from a couple of days to weeks. Some of its side effects include bruising, swelling, redness, soreness, tenderness, itching, hyperpigmentation, scabbing, infection, and hardness. Learn more about Restylane.
Perlane
Perlane is considered as a cousin product of another one of the popular fillers in Asia, Restylane. It has been used by dermatologists for wrinkle treatment since 2000.
Much like Restylane, Perlane contains hyaluronic acid, as well as saline that helps add volume to the skin. A difference between the two is that the latter is used for deeper wrinkles as it has larger particles that are injected deeper into the skin. Also, Perlane isn’t approved for use in lip enhancement, unlike Restylane.
Results with Perlane can be seen immediately, though it’s not permanent. You need to undergo succeeding sessions to achieve optimum results.
Perlane also shares a few possible risk factors with its cousin product. It can cause acne lesions, swelling, soreness, redness, tenderness, bruise, and itchiness. Furthermore, it isn’t recommended for people with a history of bleeding disorders, severe allergic reactions, and inflammatory skin conditions. Finally, it can cause hyperpigmentation, especially for patients with darker skin tones.
Those are only some of the popular fillers in Asia. To know which one best suits you, it is best to consult with a dermatologist to achieve your desired results. Learn more about Perlane here.
