According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, while the recession put a halt to several cosmetic procedures, one category that continued to thrive was injectables and facial fillers. With so many filler options and with more to come, there are now fillers that specifically address each section of the face and/or what you're trying to fix, whether it be wrinkles, lines or volume.

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New York dermatologist Dr. Heidi Waldorf says, "What we now recognize is there is not one perfect filler. We really need a whole palette of fillers to get an appropriate look for a patient." By having an entire arsenal of fillers, physicians can not only treat more symptoms, they can produce the best results possible with a variety of fillers.

According to Dr. Waldorf, for overall rejuvenation, a hylauronic acid based filler such as Restylane is best for superficial lines around the tear trough, lips and glabella. "Hylauronic acid based fillers are the safest because they can be easily removed and they are also very soft and pliable. I prefer a filler that doesn't swell as much so my go-to filler right now is Restylane for those areas." A new filler that dermatologists are eagerly awaiting in the US, Belotero, is poised to enter the US market to treat superficial lines. Unlike Restylane or Juvederm, Belotero is unique in its ability to treat the most superficial of lines in delicate tissue.

To replace volume and to re-define areas where we've lost bone, Dr. Waldorf suggests Radiesse. "The usual patient's face that is young is a triangle. A youthful triangle, which is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. As we age, that changes and inverts. So you end up with a wide bottom and a narrow top as we get jowly," says Dr. Waldorf. By using a filler such as Radiesse, surgery may no longer be necessary to re-define the jawline and cheekbones.

Lastly, for overall smoothness and pan-volume for the entire face, Dr. Waldorf prefers Sculptra. "Sculptra, as a liquid, can be injected in a very diffuse way. The patient then massages it in and a month later, you see the results." Sculptra fills in lines and wrinkles but the unique aspect of this filler is it's ability to stimulate new collagen growth to create an overall fuller and more youthful appearance. Since the filler is encouraging collagen growth, results take a few weeks to appear but is more natural-looking. Another benefit is Sculptra can last up to 2 years since the collagen created is new.

Dr. Waldorf stresses the importance of seeking an experienced physician who can help you decide the best facial filler for you. With so many options available, it is in the patient's best interest to find a physician who has all the fillers in the office and can recommend the best treatment possible.