There’s a relatively new facial filler on the market in the U.S., one that may give popular Restylane® and JuvedermTM some competition. FDA-approved for use in improving moderate to deep facial wrinkles, Evolence® hit the U.S. market in the latter part of 2008, introduced by one of the Johnson & Johnson companies.
Evolence is an injectable wrinkle filler based on collagen derived from pigs. It’s designed to replace the collagen we lose in our faces over time, causing facial skin to fall into deep folds particularly between the nose and mouth. These nasolabial folds are smoothed out and lie flat again when plumped from below with Evolence.
Restylane and Juvederm work in a similar way, however their composition is different. The main ingredient in these two fillers is hyaluronic acid. The compound is synthetically produced, yet almost identical to hyaluronic acid that occurs naturally in the body. The molecules in Restylane and Juvederm bind to water, re-strengthening the support system underneath wrinkled skin.
Although Evolence has only been available in the U.S. for a short time, it has been marketed in Europe for a few years. Physicians who are familiar with a variety of fillers cite these advantages:
• Even though Evolence is based on collaged derived from animals, it does not appear to cause the allergic reactions some patients suffered with older forms of injectable collagen. Therefore, no pre-testing is required.
• The FDA has approved labeling that indicates the effects of Evolence last up to six months, but many doctors say it can last a year. This is longer than Restylane by several months, on average, and somewhat longer than Juvederm.
• Not only does Evolence provide instant wrinkle correction, some physicians have observed it causes less bruising and swelling than other fillers.
Will these apparent advantages bear out over time? We’ll have to wait and see.
In the meantime, if you’re interested in trying a facial filler but not sure which one is best for you, it’s not too surprising. For although vigorous competition tends to trigger both better products and better pricing over time, a side effect of marketplace battles can be consumer confusion.
What to do? Do some research on your choices, familiarizing yourself with the basics. Then visit a physician who has experience with fillers and offers a variety of options.