Dermal Fillers vs other treatments

When most people think of facial aesthetics, Dermal Fillers are one of the first treatment that comes to mind – and with good reason! Fillers have truly transformed how we treat volume loss, facial contours, and deep wrinkles. They deliver near-instant results, require minimal downtime, and remain one of the most effective ways to enhance your facial features in a natural and balanced way.

That said, as the world of aesthetic medicine continues to evolve, the conversation is expanding beyond just how we look to how our skin functions. At the Anti Wrinkle Clinic, we believe that long-term skin health and appearance go hand in hand – and while Dermal Fillers are brilliant for creating structural support and definition, other treatments may be better suited to improving skin quality from within.

So how do Dermal Fillers compare to the newer generation of injectables like Profhilo, Sculptra, Polynucleotides, or Sunekos? And how do you know what’s right for your goals?

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Let’s break it down to help you understand which treatment could work best for you.

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What are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal Fillers are gel-like substances – most commonly made of hyaluronic acid – that are injected beneath the skin to restore volume, sculpt features, and soften wrinkles. They’re especially effective in areas that show early signs of ageing or volume depletion, including:

Temples: to lift and rejuvenate hollowing

Tear troughs: to reduce under-eye hollows

Mid-face: to restore cheek volume and create lift

Lips: for definition, symmetry, and fullness

Lower face: to soften lines, contour the jawline, and improve chin projection

Dermal Fillers work by adding instant structure, rather than by stimulating internal skin processes. This means they don’t directly regenerate or strengthen the skin in a lasting way, but they can enhance facial harmony and reduce the appearance of ageing.

That said, some hyaluronic acid-based fillers do improve hydration in the treated areas and may slightly boost collagen as a secondary effect – but these changes are minimal compared to what other skin-health-first injectables can achieve.

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Here’s how Dermal Fillers compare to other popular injectable treatments.

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Dermal Fillers vs. Profhilo

While Dermal Fillers and Profhilo both contain hyaluronic acid, they work in completely different ways. Dermal fillers stay where they’re placed to lift, contour, or fill – giving immediate volume and structure. Profhilo, on the other hand, spreads evenly beneath the skin to deliver deep hydration and stimulate collagen and elastin.

It’s important to note that Profhilo doesn’t alter facial shape or add volume like Dermal Fillers do. Instead, it improves skin quality from within – making it ideal for dull, dehydrated, or sagging skin that needs an overall refresh.

• Choose Fillers if: You want to reshape, contour, or fill specific areas
• Choose Profhilo if: You want skin tightening, hydration, and elasticity without added volume

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Dermal Fillers vs. Sculptra

Sculptra is a collagen-stimulating injectable made of poly-L-lactic acid. Unlike fillers, which provide instant volume, Sculptra is a bio-stimulator. This means it works with your body, encouraging it to gradually produce more collagen over time. This makes it ideal for patients who want a long-lasting, natural-looking improvement in skin thickness and firmness.

While fillers are great for targeted enhancement and immediate lift, Sculptra is better suited for broader facial volume restoration and long-term structural improvement. It typically requires a series of sessions, with results building over several months and lasting up to two years.

• Choose Fillers if: You want immediate enhancement in defined areas
• Choose Sculptra if: You want gradual, long-term collagen restoration and skin thickening

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Dermal Fillers vs. Polynucleotides

Polynucleotides are one of the most exciting recent additions to the aesthetics space. These regenerative injectables work at a cellular level to repair and rebuild skin, enhancing microcirculation, improving elasticity, and supporting the skin’s natural healing processes.

Unlike fillers, polynucleotides don’t add any volume. They’re ideal for delicate or damaged skin, and particularly effective around the eyes, on the forehead, or in areas affected by scarring, pigmentation, or inflammation.

• Choose Fillers if: You want to reshape facial contours or restore lost volume
• Choose Polynucleotides if: You’re focused on long-term skin health and tissue regeneration

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Dermal Fillers vs. Sunekos

Sunekos combines hyaluronic acid with amino acids to hydrate, stimulate collagen and elastin, and restore the extracellular matrix (ECM). It’s gentler than fillers and can be used in areas where volume isn’t the issue but where skin quality needs improvement – like under the eyes or in early ageing.

While both treatments contain hyaluronic acid, Sunekos supports the skin’s structure and function rather than replacing lost volume. It’s ideal for subtle, natural skin enhancement and maintenance.

• Choose Fillers if: You want visible shaping or correction of features
• Choose Sunekos if: You want to improve elasticity, hydration, and overall skin resilience

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Who is the best candidate for Dermal Fillers?

Patients in their late 20s and ranging up their 60s commonly choose fillers, either for early contouring or to restore facial balance and youthfulness. Whether it’s subtle enhancement or more noticeable reshaping, fillers can be tailored to meet a wide range of aesthetic goals.

Dermal Fillers are ideal for patients who:

• Have facial volume loss in areas like the cheeks, temples, or lips
• Want to contour or reshape specific features
• Need quick results with minimal recovery time
• Prefer a treatment that can be adjusted or reversed
• Are looking to smooth deep folds or facial asymmetry

Fillers can be used alone or combined with other injectables for a more comprehensive approach. In fact, pairing fillers with skin boosters or bio-stimulators often delivers the best results – improving the structure after the quality of the skin.

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Conclusion

Dermal Fillers are one of the most effective ways to enhance your appearance – offering immediate volume, contour, and lift. But they’re best understood as structural treatments that support how you look, rather than how your skin behaves or regenerates.

At the Anti Wrinkle Clinic, we take a skin-first approach to facial aesthetics. Dermal Fillers are perfect for adding volume and structure, but they’re not always the answer for concerns like dehydration, skin laxity, or poor skin quality. By combining Dermal Fillers with targeted skin boosters or regenerative therapies, we can help you achieve both short-term enhancement and long-term skin resilience.

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Book your consultation today and let Dr Yiannis help you choose the best treatment for your needs.

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