A long line of line-fillers

With several new dermal fillers expected to be approved by the FDA later this year, consumers may soon have more options for treating wrinkles. Prices vary, but in general, treatments with longer-lasting fillers (such as Radiesse and Sculptra) are costliest ($1,000 or more a treatment), and those with shorter-lasting collagen are the least expensive (about $350). Here are some approved fillers and a few that may soon be added:

Human collagen

Brands include: CosmoDerm, CosmoPlast, Cymetra.

What it is: Purified natural substance from human tissue.

Duration: Two to six months.

Bottom line: Safe but fades fast; no allergy test required.

Bovine collagen

Brands include: Zyderm and Zyplast.

What it is: Purified collagen from cows.

Duration: Two to six months.

Hyaluronic acid

Brands include: Restylane, Juvederm, Hylaform.

What it is: Synthetic or animal versions of a natural substance found in the body's joints.

Duration: Depending on the product formulation, from six to 12 months.

Bottom line: More expensive than collagen but lasts longer; safe; rare allergic reactions.

Calcium hydroxy-lapatite microspheres

Brand name: Radiesse. Awaiting FDA approval but is used off-label.

What it is: Synthetic, biocompatible substance.

Duration: 12 to 18 months.

Bottom line: Longer-lasting but not permanent; can cause lumpiness.

Synthetic polylactic acid in microspheres

Brand name: Sculptra. It's approved for other purposes but also used off-label for wrinkles.

What it is: Synthetic, biocompatible substance.

Duration: Two years.

Bottom line: Longer-lasting but not permanent; may cause lumpiness and other problems if injected improperly.

Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres suspended in bovine collagen

Brand name: ArteFill. Awaiting FDA approval.

What it is: Synthetic, biocompatible substance injected with bovine collagen.

Duration: Five years or more.

Bottom line: Considered permanent; requires allergy test; likely to be expensive; may cause lumpiness; problems may be permanent or require surgery to fix.

Los Angeles Times