ABSTRACT
The popularity of injectable dermal fillers for facial rejuvenation and soft tissue augmentation has exploded over the past two decades. Historically, the use of fillers for soft tissue augmentation began over ten decades ago with autologous fat injection. Around the 1950s, liquid silicone made its debut on the cosmetic market but was temporarily banned by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) until several modifications were made to ensure its safety. In the early 1980s, bovine collagen was introduced in the United States. Although the aesthetic effects of this product only lasted approximately three to five months before re-injection was required for maintenance, bovine collagen remained the gold standard of fillers for many years. Hyaluronic acid (HA) products were introduced in the mid-1980s, and received FDA approval in 2003. Since then, a medley of injectable HA products has been developed and marketed. HA products were rapidly incorporated into cosmetic practices, and have become the most commonly used soft tissue filler products in the U.S. market.
