Fillers for lip augmentation: the best preparations, injection technique

Contour plastic surgery is a common procedure. It is considered one of the best procedures that significantly affect the appearance of the face. With the help of contouring, you can both increase the size of your lips and generally improve your appearance. It is worth noting that this manipulation is most common among women who have too thin lips. They really need contour plastic surgery. Even if you are quite happy with the appearance of your face, it is a good idea to slightly tighten the corners of your lips so as not to appear once again sad or worried about something. Also, a special filler used by specialists can effectively fill voids on the lips.

Lip contouring

Lip contouring: what is it?

This procedure provides an opportunity to permanently correct the size of the lips, give them the desired shape, correct the angle of prolapse or elevation, change the contour, and the person does not need to resort to surgical methods. The effect is achieved using filler - these are fillers injected under the skin. Most of these drugs contain hyaluronate, but collagen, polylactic acid, etc. can be used less frequently.

Contour plastic surgery is performed using fillers

Expansion of indications

More recently, the following terms have appeared in aesthetic practice: facial modeling, volumetric (volume) correction of soft tissues of the face, beauty, intimate plastic, which are used along with the already familiar contour plastic, contour correction, reinforcement, etc. In essence, their appearance is associated with the expansion indications and the introduction of large volumes of biodegradable fillers into the deep layers of tissue (subcutaneous, supraperiosteal injections).
New indications and new drugs required new tools. So, in 2009, flexible pix?L cannulas began to be used in cosmetology. The various modifications of cannulas available today (differing in diameter, length and flexibility) make it possible to effectively carry out volumetric correction of the face with filling not only the cheekbones, but also the temporal, periorbital zones (eyebrow lifting, correction of the infraorbital groove), correction of lipoatrophy and scar deformities of the body (Macrolane), filling the tissues of the labia, clitoris, vagina. It must be said that the use of fillers for genital plastic surgery is not welcomed by all manufacturers and distributors. We emphasize that the doctor who decides to carry out this type of procedure must be highly qualified both as a cosmetologist (plastic surgeon) and as a urogynecologist.

Over the past 4 years, cannulas of various types have become common tools for cosmetologists. Practice has shown that today doctors increasingly choose the combined use of needle and cannula techniques to perform ICP.

Pros and cons of the procedure

It is necessary to take into account the advantages and disadvantages of any cosmetic procedure before paying for it in cosmetology. Let's look at the advantages of lip contouring.

Hyaluronate is a naturally occurring substance that is normally produced by the human body. In other words, the body very rarely gives a negative reaction to it. With the help of hyaluronic acid, you can additionally provide the skin with moisture.
The acid is not of animal nature, so cases of individual intolerance are extremely rare.
The material used is not rejected.

Of course, there are certain disadvantages that should be carefully considered before going to cosmetology. It is important to know that after a certain period of time, hyaluronic acid will be removed from the body. In other words, after about a year, the result of the procedure will disappear, and you will need to go through the entire course of contouring again.

After some time, the effect of the procedure will subside

For some time now, some specialists have been using substances such as silicone, acrylic, and synthetics in their work. Most cases of intolerance to the lip contouring procedure are associated with the listed components. If a cosmetologist offers you these materials, you may want to refuse the procedure. Discuss this nuance with your doctor.

What types of fillers are there?

Let's look at what types of fillers are produced and how they differ from each other. The consistency of fillers often corresponds to a gel.

The composition is what ensures the quality of the filler. Such drugs are:

permanent (permanent) - synthetic polymers (silicone, for example);
biosynthetic – long-lasting due to the combination of properties of organic and synthetic fillers;
biodegradable - based on organic and highly purified synthetic substances with the properties of natural preparations.

Biodegradable fillers are eliminated from the body over time

Fillers created on the basis of hyaluronic acid of animal and non-animal origin are classified as biodegradable. This group also includes drugs synthesized using bacterial cultures. They are characterized by high purity and hypoallergenicity, are not rejected by the body, and do not imply toxic effects or the development of allergic reactions.

Important ! The name of the group of drugs indicates that after a certain time they are removed from tissues without disturbing physiological processes. Therefore, they are also classified as temporary fillers.

Such fillers are not rejected by the body

Let's take a closer look at the benefits of hyaluronic acid.

Modern lip fillers

Nowadays, you can get lost in the wide selection of fillers suitable for the procedure we are considering. They differ in manufacturer or country of origin, gel structure, active components, additional components (for example, the absence or presence of an anesthetic in the drug), area of application, duration of effect, lines and uniformity of the process of biological degradation (or filler resorption).

Thus, it is fair to say that each specific product has its own pros or cons. To choose the right filler for a person, you need to consult with an experienced cosmetologist who will take into account the tasks set, as well as his own experience.

You need to consult your doctor to choose the right remedy

Let's study the drugs that are now most often used by cosmetologists who perform lip contouring.

Fillers based on hyaluronate. Their main advantage is that they are well tolerated by almost all clients. The product is easy to administer, it is perfectly absorbed and removed from the body without any discomfort. The disadvantage is the need for regular repeated courses. With the help of such fillers, you can give your lips the desired size and shape, and correct imperfections that bother the client. The principle of action of hyaluronic acid is to attract water molecules that moisturize the skin. You can also remove wrinkles.
Collagen. To produce this material, the placenta is used, so individual intolerance is also practically excluded. Usually there are no allergies. It is worth noting that such an event is not cheap, and over time the substance will be eliminated by the body.

There are collagen-based fillers
Polylactic acid, which allows you to change the volume and shape of the lips, making them symmetrical. The principle of operation is the synthesis of collagen, due to which cell regeneration occurs. This way you can achieve the desired result.

Note! There are alternatives to such contouring, which are suggested by the doctor if the patient has contraindications.

Quite often, cosmetologists offer clients to work with special mesothreads that are inserted into the lips. They activate the synthesis of collagen fibers in the human body. Due to this, wrinkles disappear, and the contours of the lips will become the way the client wanted. The used material is gradually eliminated by the body (about six months). The advantage is that these manipulations have no contraindications. It can be combined with other cosmetic treatments, and the results are generally good.

Working with fat. In this case, the cosmetologist suggests taking fatty tissue from the hips, abdomen, buttocks and moving it to the lips. This event is well tolerated by the body, there are no complications or rejection. The pumped out fat is processed in a special way, after which it is placed into the lips.

To correct lips, lipofilling is also performed

The best fillers

The selection of drugs on the market is constantly updated with new names.

Restylane Lipp

This line of Swedish-made products of a new generation corrects small lip volume, irregular shape and gives freshness. Contains 2% hyaluronic acid. Injections are also indicated for women who want to reduce wrinkles around the mouth caused by long-term smoking.

The gel does not cause side effects or allergic reactions and is well accepted by the body. If swelling occurs, it goes away on its own.

Restylane Lipp tops the list of most recommended drugs.

Princess Filler

This is one of the most famous lip fillers based on hyaluronic acid. This filler uses innovative SMART technology, which has the following characteristics:

safety;
physiology and loyalty to skin tissues;
plasticity and homogeneity.

The drug can be produced with or without lidocaine. The kit includes a syringe, special needles with a diameter of 0.4 mm and instructions for use. The effect lasts from 6 months to a year.

Juvederm Volume

The filler is produced in America, but has long been recognized throughout the world. Juvederm Voluma is the densest filler in the entire Juvederm line. Its high density allows it to be used to enlarge even male lips and correct serious problems. The filler is able to retain moisture, which provides natural hydration to the skin.

The product has a number of side effects and contraindications. After injections, bruising, swelling, movement of the drug, burning, and local temperature increase often occur. If these symptoms occur, you should immediately contact a specialist.

The validity period of the drugs is up to two years.

Belotero intense

High quality product made in Germany. The drug is popular among cosmetologists around the world due to its ease of use and natural correction results. In its line, it is the densest filler with a high content of hyaluronic acid. Filler can correct serious defects.

The advantages of Belotero intense are:

no allergic reaction;
Possibility of use for sensitive skin;
absence of compaction and swelling after correction;
results appear within a few minutes after application.

Surgiderm 30 XP and Surgiderm 24 XP Source

French preparations from the well-known company Allergan contain high concentrations of synthetic hyaluronic acid, which reduces the risk of an allergic reaction. The filler can solve any cosmetic defect of the lips and smooth out small wrinkles in the nasolabial area.

Surgiderm 24 XP is used to eliminate deep wrinkles. It can be used to correct nasolabial folds and lip contour. Without indications, the product should not be used before the age of 40.

Surgiderm 30 XP is injected into the lips to increase volume. The drug is used at 40-45 years of age.

The effect will last about a year.

Ellanse SMLE Source

This is a line of highly effective new generation fillers that contain polycaprolactone. Depending on the task at hand, one of four products in the Ellanse line is used:

S (validity period - up to 1 year);
M (12-20 months);
L (up to 3 years);
E (up to 4 years).

The drug does not contain components of animal or microbial origin, does not cause an allergic reaction or rejection and is completely eliminated from the body. The absence of serious side effects is due to the fact that polycaprolactone does not attract water and does not provoke swelling.

Princess Volume

This drug (made in Australia) with a high content of hyaluronic acid is made using a special technology, due to which it is quickly absorbed. The company has been operating in the cosmetology market for more than 30 years, which increases confidence in its products. The effect after injection of Princess Volume filler lasts approximately 1 year. With repeated use, the effect will last up to 3 years.

Princess Volume filler at the exhibition of cosmetics in Monaco (2009) received one of the most prestigious prizes - “Brand of the Year”.

The drug can be used from the age of 18.

Yvoire Volume

This Korean-made product is designed to solve serious problems. Yvoire fillers use hyaluronic acid of non-animal origin, which has proven its effectiveness and safety over 14 years of regular use in various fields of medicine. The drugs of this company are approved by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, as well as the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines.

Thanks to the high concentration of hyaluronic acid, it is possible to correct even the most complex lip defects.

Advantages of fillers:

uniform distribution of gel in tissues;
the presence of hyaluronic acid of non-animal origin, which minimizes the risk of allergies;
duration of effect;
painless introduction;
no risk of edema.

Teosyal Kiss

The innovative filler contains a high concentration of hyaluronic acid. The gel is quite viscous, which allows you to correct the shape of your lips. But at the same time it is safe and is not rejected by the body. Most often used for irregular lips and sagging skin around them. The drug is suitable even for allergy sufferers.

The filler enlarges lips for 6-9 months. After this time, the active substance is absorbed and the lips regain their original appearance. To consolidate the effect, it is recommended to perform 3 procedures, each time reducing the volume of the gel.

Advantages of the product:

Harmlessness. The filler is made on the basis of hyaluronic acid, which is not rejected by the body. The gel does not contain harmful components.
Availability. Every woman can buy Teosyal products; they are inexpensive.
Productivity. The visible result is noticeable after the first use.
Duration of effect. It is enough to carry out injections once every 6-9 months.
Short recovery period. On average, after 2-3 days, the lips are completely restored.
High speed of the session. The procedure lasts approximately half an hour.
Efficiency. The filler solves a large number of aesthetic problems of the lips: asymmetry, small volume, irregular contour, loss of elasticity.
No age restrictions for use.

Why hyaluronic acid?

Let's find out why cosmetologists usually suggest using hyaluronate to give lips a beautiful shape?

In general, the answer is very simple. This substance is produced by the human body, therefore it is natural for it. It is found in the intercellular matrix of all tissue structures. Most hyaluronic acid is found in the skin. It binds water molecules, thanks to which it is possible to ensure the necessary water balance in tissues and skin, which is especially important when changes in the skin associated with age: the skin ceases to be elastic and elastic, as a result of which wrinkles and folds appear, lips are no longer so voluminous, like other parts of the body. It is worth noting that thanks to hyaluronate, it is possible to stimulate the processes of regeneration of epithelial cells, and this helps to rejuvenate in a natural way.

Hyaluronic acid is almost never rejected by the body and moisturizes the skin well, which is why it is most often used in contouring.

Lip contouring using hyaluronic acid has a number of advantages:

Allergies very rarely occur, since, as we have already said, hyaluronic acid is a natural substance in the human body. In addition, modern cosmetic products use non-animal acid for this procedure, so the risk of developing unwanted reactions is minimal;
hyaluronic acid is capable of breaking down on its own and being excreted from the body naturally;
the result lasts for a year;
the effect looks natural.

About fillers

Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is produced in the body. In connective tissue, it acts as a sponge that retains water and provides the necessary hydration. The skin retains elasticity, smoothness, and the ability to recover after deformation.

With age, the condition of the skin changes. Wrinkles appear, bags under the eyes, the contours of the face and body are distorted. It is in such cases that it is recommended to perform volumetric or volumetric plastic surgery with hyaluronic acid preparations.

The use of fillers with hyaluronate is indicated for the appearance of various age-related skin changes

It is possible to use such products in many problem areas where it is necessary to rejuvenate the skin or change proportions and volumes. Hyaluronic acid helps to correct lips, cheeks, earlobes, chin, and facial contours in general.

Important ! Thus, filling with a popular filler solves anti-aging, physiological and aesthetic problems.

Patients are attracted by the fact that the results can be seen almost immediately. Minor swelling and redness in the injection area disappear within 1-2 days. There is virtually no rehabilitation period. The procedure does not require a long recovery time or disruption to your usual lifestyle. A special case is the need to improve your appearance a short time before a special event: a wedding, meeting, public speaking.

The result of the procedure is visible immediately

Due to the properties of hyaluronic acid, the effect lasts for a long time, the injection does not cause a rejection reaction from the body. It is this optimal combination that allows fillers with hyaluronic acid to remain in demand and popular.

The most famous drugs for lip contouring

If you want to do lip contouring, you need to choose not only the best specialist, but also figure out which drug is best to choose. Of course, a consultation with a cosmetologist will help you in this matter, but if you want to know for sure that you will not experience any negative reactions to the drug, carefully study all the available information.

The most famous volumizers:

"Restylane lip" - this drug is produced in Sweden. It was developed specifically for treating lips to create a beautiful contour, correct the shape and volume of the lips. The special structure of the gel allows the result to be preserved even with heavy loads on facial expressions;

Restylane lip

“Juvederm” - these fillers are developed in the USA and are presented in a huge range. Therefore, you can choose a drug that best suits a particular client;

"Juvederm"

"Surgiderm" is a product produced in France. It is best used by women who already have fairly mature skin, since it is aimed at correcting age-related changes in the lips and the area around them;

"Surgiderm"

"Pluryal", produced in Luxembourg (although manufacturing plants are located in Austria). The main active substance is non-animal hyaluronate. Another active component is glycerol, which affects the hydration of tissue structures;

"Pluryal"

"Belotero" (produced in Germany). There are many products from this line in our country. The main differences are the depth of penetration, the concentration of hyaluronate and phosphate buffer, and the area of application. After procedures using this drug, the skin is enriched with nutrients, its tone is normalized, restoration processes are activated, and substances unnecessary to the body are removed.

"Belotero"

Why should you contact us?

At the Code Beauty Medicine cosmetology clinic, great attention is paid to consultation before the procedure. The doctor individually selects the filler and discusses the result in detail with the patient.
We employ only highly qualified specialists, whose qualifications you can be sure of. Our doctors' many years of experience in injection cosmetology allow us to achieve the best results.
The Code Beauty Medicine cosmetology clinic has been a partner of the official distributor of the best European fillers, the Estemarco company, for many years. You can find information about our fillers here
Our clinic has a flexible system of discounts: with a one-time payment for two fillers, you receive a 5% discount, with a one-time payment for three fillers, the discount reaches 10%!

Removing lip fillers

If, after a lip contouring procedure, during which a filler, for example, made from a synthetic material, was injected into them, a negative reaction of the body manifested itself or the client simply did not like the effect obtained, you can try to get rid of the drug yourself. However, you first need to talk to a cosmetologist so that he can advise the most suitable method that allows you to do what you want. You can study video and photo tutorials that present this process step by step.

In general, you can wait a certain period of time for the filler to dissolve on its own. But this takes a year, and not everyone is ready to wait that long. If you don’t want to endure it, just go to the cosmetology clinic where you had your contouring done. They can easily correct their own omissions - a couple of procedures are enough, after which the lips will return to their previous shape.

Cosmetology will be able to remove filler if necessary.

Note! To make the process go faster, you can take medications that affect metabolism in the body. Use manipulations that accelerate blood flow and specialized hardware. Some cosmetologists recommend using active facial expressions and gesturing more often.

Who is suitable and not suitable for this procedure?

It is clear that not every woman can benefit from lip contouring. There is a list of contraindications and indications that you need to familiarize yourself with before going to a cosmetologist.

The indications are as follows.

Lips that are not full enough, lips that are too thin.
The client is dissatisfied with her own lips and wants to correct their shape.
Asymmetrical lips.
The presence of wrinkles and folds around the mouth that the client wants to get rid of.
Dry, rough lips.
Excessive drooping of the corners of the lips.

Lip contouring will help cope with various defects

In fact, contour plastic surgery can cope with all of the listed shortcomings, but you should study the list of all side effects and contraindications, since there are quite a lot of them. If you have any of the above, tell your cosmetologist about it. After all, if something goes wrong, you will not be able to prove that you are right, since the specialist simply could not have guessed that the procedure was not recommended for you.

So, contraindications.

The tendency of the skin to scar.
An allergic reaction to the components included in the drug used.
Cancer diseases.
Connective tissue pathologies.
Blood diseases.
Carrying a baby or breastfeeding.
Herpes and other problems localized near or on the lips.
Blood clotting disorders.
Acute infections.
Chronic diseases in the acute stage.
Diabetes.

It is important to inform your doctor about any contraindications

Important! It should be noted that cosmetologists prohibit the use of certain scrubs after contouring. In the future, they should also be used as rarely as possible. The scrub can be used only after a specified period of time. It is better, of course, to consult with your specialist, since the timing here is always individual.

Indications and contraindications for facial contouring

The procedure is recommended in the presence of the following conditions:

age and expression wrinkles;
nasolabial, nasolacrimal folds, glabellar folds, purse-string wrinkles in the perioral area;
asymmetrical facial features;
excessively thin lips;
blurred oval face;
“rings of Venus” and vertical wrinkles on the neck;
uneven neckline relief;
drooping cheeks, double chin;
poorly defined cheekbones;
dark circles and bags in the periorbital zone;
patient's aesthetic preferences.

Facial contouring

can be combined with other cosmetic procedures. Therefore, experts often recommend comprehensive solutions to problems. Such therapy will improve the final result, and in many cases will accelerate its achievement. In certain circumstances, it is recommended to replace contour plastic surgery with another aesthetic procedure, or to postpone it. This decision may arise if the patient has:

pregnancy or lactation;
cancer;
diabetes mellitus;
aggravated chronic disease;
allergies to filler components;
previously performed with permanent filler;
autoimmune pathologies;
hemostasis disorders.

Modeling cannot be performed in case of acute respiratory diseases or skin inflammations. If you have menstrual days, you should wait until they end.

Basic steps to get perfect lips

Before starting the procedure, the specialist disinfects the skin, relieves pain, and then injects the drug itself. This is done using a very thin needle, making the pain generally minimal. The insertion depth is approximately 3 millimeters. At the end of the event, the cosmetologist gives a small massage so that the filler is evenly distributed over the lips.

On average, an hour is allotted for manipulations. Many women are interested in whether there is a lot of pain during contouring. It must be said that it is carried out using local anesthesia, which allows you to “turn off” the sensations for a couple of hours. Experts also use special gels with an anesthetic effect; they are applied under a film on the lips and removed after a while.

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia

Administration technique

The choice of drug administration technique depends on the problem that needs to be solved:

If a woman wants to create a small volume and swelling, then a superficial technique is used. It involves inserting a needle only 2-3 mm. This is enough for the filler to lift the tissue.
If the imperfections are more serious (scars, asymmetry), then it is recommended to use an internal technique. The drug is administered to a depth of 1 centimeter.

It is not recommended to enlarge your lips with filler yourself, since unprofessional movements will ruin the shape.

The result of using filler

How often can lip contouring be done?

The gel will be removed from the body in about a year, a maximum of one and a half. A good result lasts approximately 10 months. It's no secret that for some people the desire to get bigger lips becomes obsessive, and they take injections every few months. It is not entirely correct for a specialist to obey the wishes of such clients. You need to know that frequent injections are not safe, they can harm your health. The client must carefully weigh his step.

Vivid results will last for 10 months

Don't forget about problems

We cannot rule out the possibility that the filler will need to be removed after the injection. This is usually due to serious problems caused by contouring. Let's list which ones exactly.

Infections introduced from the external environment during the procedure.
“Migration” of the gel from one area to another.
Availability of seals.
Vivid scarring.
Blockage of blood vessels with products with insufficiently high viscosity.
For ischemia, which can occur with deep insertion of dense material.

Based on the problem faced by the client, a method for removing the filler from his body is selected. Sometimes they resort to surgical methods.

If there are no contraindications to the procedure, complications most likely will not arise

Note! If the client had no contraindications, and contour plastic surgery was performed in accordance with all the rules, no trouble should be expected. If something went wrong, this indicates that the client did not follow the doctor’s advice and did not organize the recovery period correctly.

Possible complications

Temporary side effects that appear within 24 hours after filler injection are hematoma, swelling, and redness. They go away on their own in 2-7 days. If inflammation, thickening, distortion of the lips occurs, or an infectious process develops, you should consult a doctor to prescribe medication.

Sometimes ischemia and vascular occlusion (impaired patency) may occur due to too deep administration of the drug. In this case, urgent consultation with a doctor is necessary, otherwise more serious complications will arise.

How is the procedure performed?

If you come to us for the first time, the doctor will conduct an examination, collect anamnesis, and also offer you Janus hardware skin diagnostics. Laboratory tests will be ordered if necessary. This comprehensive approach ensures that contouring and other prescribed procedures will be as effective as possible for you.
Before the injections, the cosmetologist will cleanse your skin of cosmetics and impurities, and also treat the surface layer of the skin with an antiseptic.
This is followed by the application of topical anesthesia. Anesthetic injections can also be used for pain relief. Some fillers contain lidocaine, which makes their injection as comfortable as possible.
If an anesthetic cream is used, you need to lie down with it for about 20 minutes.
The doctor opens the package with the drug in front of you. Targeted injection of filler under the skin is carried out at pre-designated points. The process itself is comfortable, minor pain is possible. Patients usually tolerate the procedure well. The duration of the session is from 15 minutes to 1.5-2 hours, depending on the volume of correction.
After the filler is injected, the puncture sites are re-treated with a disinfectant. An anti-inflammatory composition is applied to accelerate healing.
The doctor gives recommendations on skin care. You can leave the clinic.

On average, two weeks after the procedure you need to see a cosmetologist for control.

Reviews about the procedure

Women are ready to go to great lengths for the beauty of their faces. In order not to expose the body to radical influences and risks, you can and should use lip contouring. Reviews are mostly positive, women recommend this procedure. Although you have to endure discomfort, the results are worth it. Experts believe that it is the positive reviews that make the procedure so popular among the fair sex. After all, many people are hesitant to undergo a procedure they know nothing about, but the opinions of those who have already tried plastic surgery on themselves, as well as photographs, give them decisiveness.

Here are a few reviews.

Alena, Astrakhan

“Contour plastic surgery is a magical procedure! I love it because I can use it to give volume and sensuality to my lips. There is no discomfort, and the effect lasts for a whole year! I turn to a trusted professional who doesn’t overdo it with the material, so my lips don’t look over-pumped. I am very pleased".

The girls are happy with the results of the procedure

Irina, Buzuluk

“I once decided to have contour plastic surgery, but it felt like a whole liter of the drug was pumped into my lips. They were simply huge and ugly! I just wanted to increase them a little, but the cosmetologist was inexperienced. I turned to someone else who helped me “blow away” my lips and do what I wanted. I'm glad I decided to do this, because I'm really pleased with the result. Girls, be sure to read reviews about the clinic and the doctor so as not to stumble upon an unprofessional! You can get serious health problems!”

Cost of the procedure

It is worth saying that the procedure is not cheap. Not every woman will be able to afford this procedure, so you need to know in advance what figure to focus on. The cost of plastic surgery depends on the amount of work done and the experience of the specialist. With repeated events, the cost decreases.

We will indicate the average cost of such a procedure in different cities of Russia.

City	Cost of one procedure

City	Cost of one procedure
Moscow	15,000 rub.
Saint Petersburg	RUB 13,900
Voronezh	RUB 12,500
Ufa	RUB 12,500
Murmansk	RUB 12,500
Krasnoyarsk	RUB 11,300
Rostov-on-Don	RUR 14,830
Sochi	RUB 10,890
Makhachkala	RUB 15,200
Vladivostok	RUB 13,700

Photos before and after

Photos before and after lip contouring No. 1

Photos before and after lip contouring No. 2

Photos before and after lip contouring No. 3

9 best lip fillers: rules for choosing a product