Dermal fillers have been around for over 15 years, with Restylane the first to receive FDA approval in 2005, followed by Juvéderm in 2006. These two hyaluronic acid dermal fillers have been among the most popular cosmetic procedures every year since, and their success has spawned a series of line extensions for each product targeting different specific areas such as the cheeks and the lips.
But if those “hyaluronic acid” fillers had the stage mostly to themselves, there’s suddenly a new potential star — “resilient hyaluronic acid” fillers, RHA for short.
RHA dermal fillers have been available in Europe for over five years, but recently received FDA approval for the U.S. market. They provide the same wrinkle control, but they do so by providing a more natural appearance when the person makes facial expressions and movements. Dr. Saltz is excited to offer three Teoxane RHA fillers at our Salt Lake City and Park City locations.
In these two blogs after a toasty Utah summer, let’s get into these new RHA fillers.
What are RHA dermal fillers?
Resilient hyaluronic acid is the latest advance in dermal filler science. They take all the great aspects of hyaluronic acid — naturally occurring substance in the human body; binds with nearby water molecules when injected; hydrates, plumps, and firms the skin — and they improve upon them. These fillers are designed for the dynamics of our facial movements, so the volume they provide looks more natural and adapts to movement without breaking down as quickly.
There are currently three available Teoxane RHA dermal fillers, RHA 2, RHA 3, and RHA 4. These fillers all received FDA approval in late 2017, but it wasn’t until January of last year when they came to the U.S. market. Dr. Saltz has been researching these fillers and has recently added them for our patients in both of our offices.
What areas are RHA Teoxane fillers meant to treat?
All three RHA dermal fillers closely resemble the native hyaluronic acid present in our skin, so they adapt quite well to our tissue when injected. This allows exceptional results for patients at every angle all the way through the entire length of movement. In other words, they return volume and erase lines, but you don’t notice them when you make normal facial movements.
- RHA 2 works best on nasolabial folds, the colloquial “smile lines” that run from the nose down to the corners of the mouth.
- RHA 3 can be used for nasolabial folds and the commissures, the corners of the mouth.
- RHA 4 is most appropriate for deeper nasolabial folds and for deeper lines in the lower face and jawline. RHA 4 can also be used off-label in the midface to add volume to sunken cheeks.
Interested in these new RHA fillers? Call Saltz Plastic Surgery at our Salt Lake City location, (801) 274-9500, or our Park City location, (435) 655-6612.
