A List of Cosmetic Injectables

Which filler will you choose? (Credit: Joyseph)

Here's a guide to cosmetic injectables: the old, the new and what's coming soon. Average prices are from the American Society of Plastic Surgery and in 2005 and several area physicians.

The cosmetic injectable treatments that are available now are:

Botox: Botox, produced from Clostridia Botulinum bacteria, paralyzes muscles to smooth creases in the forehead, frown lines between the brows and crow's feet. The results last for about three to six months and costs $382.

Restylane: The No. 2 injectable, this wrinkle filler adds volume to smile lines, forehead creases and lips. The drug and its sibling, Hylaform, are made from hyaluronic acid, a natural sugar that binds to water and creates an immediate but temporary fullness when injected. The results last for six months to a year and costs $500.

Juvederm: Juvederm is thicker, flows more smoothly, costs more, but essentially is identical to Restylane. Juvederm is great for lip augmentation. It lasts up to a year and costs $550-$750.

Radiesse: Composed of tiny calcium particles in a gel that enable the body to make new collagen, it initially was approved for smile lines. Radiesse caused problems when physicians used it off-label to sculpt lips. Triggered by a lot of movement, migrating particles can form bumps around the eyes and in the lips. There's more temporary bruising because injection requires a bigger needle. Radiesse costs about $695 to $900.

ArteFill: ArteFill is an injectable implant of tiny plastic beads that stimulate collagen production. It was approved by the FDA last October for smile lines and nose-to-mouth lines. Doctors require a skin test for possible allergic reactions. The long-term effects of ArteFill are unknown and this is not recommended for lips. It has the potential to last for three to four years and costs $1,200 per syringe.

Autologous fat injections: Removal of your own fat, typically from the buttocks, stomach or thighs and injected into sunken cheeks, lips and facial lines. This requires a bigger needle. There is swelling initially and the results are unpredictable. Autologous fat injections last for a year and cost $1,000.

Some of the new cosmetic injectable treatments that will be available in the market soon are:

Evolence: A porcine collagen product that's supposed to last a year or more. Allergic reactions are possible side effects.

Puragen Plus: Another hyaluronic acid filler that contains an anesthetic to mitigate the pain of injections. Results expected to last about six months.

Reloxin: A drug that's expected to launch in 2008 and break Botox's monopoly and help lower prices. Marketed in Europe under the brand name Dysport, it diffuses a little better and lasts about the same duration as Botox.