What Are Dermal Fillers Made Of—and Are They Safe?
Dermal fillers are some of the most common treatments in aesthetics today. A few careful injections can plump lips, soften wrinkles, or bring back volume in areas that feel a little hollow with age. The results are fast, which is part of their appeal.
But one question lingers for almost everyone who considers them: what are dermal fillers made of? People want to know what exactly is going into their skin and whether the ingredients are safe. The truth is that there isn’t just one kind of filler. Different products are built from different materials, each with its own strengths. Some are designed to hydrate and blend naturally, while others are intended to give stronger support or longer-lasting results.
Understanding Dermal Fillers
A dermal filler is, at its core, a gel that’s injected beneath the skin. It can smooth creases, add fullness where volume has been lost, or contour features like the chin or jawline. Think of it as adding gentle structure back to the face — not changing it, just restoring what time has taken away.
Different fillers are designed with different goals in mind. A soft formula works beautifully on lips for a subtle shape. A firmer gel can highlight cheekbones or soften deeper folds. What a dermal filler is made of, and which option is right for your face, are very important things to understand.
Main Ingredients in Dermal Fillers
Not all fillers are built from the same material. There are four main categories that practitioners rely on, and each one is designed to be safe for the body.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Fillers
Hyaluronic acid is the star of modern filler treatments. It’s a sugar molecule that’s already present in the skin, where it attracts water and keeps tissue hydrated. In filler form, it’s made into a smooth gel that integrates easily. The result is natural-looking volume with the added benefit of hydration.
If you’ve heard of Restylane or Juvederm, those are HA fillers. One reason they’re so widely used is reversibility. If too much is placed or the look isn’t right, the filler can be dissolved with an enzyme injection. That safety net makes HA the go-to choice for first-timers.
Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) Fillers
Calcium hydroxylapatite is a mineral-like compound found in human bone. In filler form, it’s tiny particles suspended in a smooth gel. CaHA is thicker than HA, so it’s used for deeper folds, sagging skin, or areas that need stronger support.
What makes it unique is that it also stimulates collagen production. So while you see immediate results from the gel itself, the skin gradually improves as it produces new collagen. Radiesse is the most common brand in this category.
Poly-L-lactic Acid (PLLA) Fillers
Poly-L-lactic acid is a biodegradable synthetic material. Instead of just filling a fold, it works over time to rebuild collagen. The change is slower, results appear gradually over a few months, but they can last much longer than other fillers.
PLLA is often chosen for larger areas of volume loss, such as hollow cheeks. The most recognized brand is Sculptra. Patients who want subtle but long-lasting improvement often lean toward this option.
Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) Fillers
PMMA fillers are considered semi-permanent. They contain tiny microspheres that remain under the skin for years, providing long-term structure. The gel also contains collagen to give an immediate boost, while the microspheres create a lasting framework.
PMMA is often used in cases like deep folds or acne scars where long-lasting correction is desired. Bellafill is the best-known product in this group. Because it stays in the body for so long, PMMA must be placed with care by an experienced injector.
How Dermal Fillers Are Made
Fillers aren’t made easily; they go through strict processes. For hyaluronic acid fillers, the HA is produced in a lab, purified, and stabilized through cross-linking. This creates a gel that won’t dissolve too quickly once it’s in the skin.
Calcium-based fillers are made by suspending mineral-like particles in a smooth carrier gel. Synthetic options like PLLA and PMMA are also carefully manufactured and sterilized to be safe for injection. Across all types, filler production occurs in sterile environments under strict quality controls. Regulatory agencies require testing at every stage before a filler can be released on the market.
Are Dermal Fillers Safe?
The safety of fillers depends on two key factors: the product itself and the person administering it. The products are designed to be biocompatible, meaning they are friendly to the body. Most are biodegradable, meaning they break down naturally over time. Brands like Restylane fillers, Juvederm, Radiesse, and Sculptra have been studied in clinical trials with thousands of patients.
But even the best product is only safe in the right hands. Injector skill is crucial. Proper placement and the right choice of filler reduce risks and lead to results that look natural. This is why experts caution against DIY approaches. Questions like can you do dermal fillers yourself come up online, but the answer is no. Safe treatments require medical knowledge, sterile technique, and an understanding of anatomy.
Factors That Influence Safety and Results
Several factors affect how safe and effective fillers are. The injector’s experience is the most important. An expert knows how much product to use and at what depth.
The filler type also matters. A lightweight HA might be perfect for lips, but won’t provide enough structure for a jawline. Heavier fillers are designed for that. Matching the right product to the right area is part of the artistry.
Patient suitability counts as well. Good results depend on skin health, expectations, and following aftercare rules. Skipping these steps can increase risks. For example, rubbing the area or applying pressure too soon can influence filler placement. The question of can dermal fillers migrate is relevant; technique, product choice, and patient behavior all play a role.
Choosing the Right Dermal Filler for You
There’s no single “best filler.” The right one depends on what you want to achieve, how long you want results to last, and where it’s being placed. That’s why consultation is key. A good injector will explain your options, how each product works, and what to expect after treatment.
It’s also worth asking where their products come from. Professionals order dermal filler injections online only from regulated medical suppliers, never from questionable sources. This ensures the filler in your syringe is authentic, safe, and effective.
References
Chen, W., Wu, Y., & Liu, P. (2023). Injectable fillers: Current status, physicochemical properties, function, and perspectives. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 248, 123207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123207
De Boulle, K., & Heydenrych, I. (2020). Evaluating hyaluronic acid dermal fillers: A critique of current literature. Dermatologic Therapy, 33(4), e13643. https://doi.org/10.1111/dth.13643
Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9285697/
Robertson, S. (2022, December 29). Dermal fillers. News-Medical. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://www.news-medical.net/health/Dermal-Fillers.aspx
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS). (2022). Are dermal fillers safe? Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://www.asds.net/asdsa-advocacy/advocacy-activities/news-you-can-use/are-dermal-filler-injections-safe
