Beautiful backing: Combiphar CEO Michael Wanandi (center) reveals the Fillerina range alongside the panel of celebrity women who attest to its success (from left to right) Sisilia Oei, Fira Basuki, Cathy Sharon, Imelda Fransisca, Aline Adita and Silvi Saerang.

When all you hear about is botox and chemical face peels, anti-aging procedures can appear intimidating. With a unique formula and easy application, Fillerina introduces itself as a non-invasive, easy and effective way of reducing the signs of aging.

The anti-aging market has grown in value over the years and is projected to be worth US$191.7 billion by 2019. Data also shows that a large proportion of this market is dominated by invasive operations and procedures such as thread lifts, chemical face peels and injection fillers.

Seeing a gap in the market for affordable, safe, non-invasive and effective anti-aging products, Combiphar, a long-time producer of consumer healthcare products, has developed Fillerina.

Launched in Indonesia in early September, Fillerina is marketed as the first non-injection derma-cosmetic filler in the country, providing a way to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and aging, without the inconvenience and pain.

Fillerina is easy to apply, according to Combiphar. The application is so easy that it can be done at home.

Regarding its safety, the serum has been declared as a safe cosmetic by the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM).

The serum, developed by Labo Cosprophar in Switzerland, is now produced by Labo Internation in Italy, and has been sold in over 30 countries.

Despite the long use of Fillerina in many countries, when talking about anti-aging procedures, botox is what commonly springs to mind.

Botox is used to treat dynamic wrinkles, which are the wrinkles visible when facial muscles are animated. Meanwhile, fillers are used for static wrinkles, which are the wrinkles visible even when the facial muscles are resting. Fillers are used to “fill in” these lines and folds.

Indonesia Cosmetic Dermatology Study Group chairman Abraham Arimuko says Fillerina contains a unique formula of six types of hyaluronic acid, the serum’s magic anti-aging recipe.

Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in the body; however the presence lessens as people age. The appearance of aging skin is believed to be caused by a lack of hyaluronic acid.

“Hyaluronic acid has an incredible ability to retain moisture — one gram of hyaluronic acid is able to hold up to six liters of water. So skin that is rich in hyaluronic acid can retain a balanced amount of moisture and will appear firm, supple and plump,” said the man, who was also the head of the dermatology division at Gatot Subroto Army Hospital

Compared to botox, Abraham said Fillerina worked more naturally as the former procedure involved blocking signals from the nerves to the muscles. That’s why after having a botox procedure; it is often difficult for a patient to show expression.

Another benefit of Fillerina, Abraham added, was that it had minimal side effects compared to botox. Fillerina’s side effects may include mild redness, while botox, , although a quick and relatively painless procedure, commonly results in side effects such as swelling, bruising, and red spots at the injection sites.

The popularity of Fillerina has gained ground in Indonesia. Many local celebrities have used the anti-aging serum, include the winner of Miss Indonesia 2005 Imelda Fransisca, actress Cathy Sharon, model Aline Adita, professional ballet dancer and choreographer Sisilia Oei, make-up artist Silvi Saerang, as well as celebrated novelist Fira Basuki,

“After trying Fillerina for just one week, I could already see that my face was glowing with moisture, and by the second week my smile lines had visibly faded,” Imelda said of her experience during the recent launch of Fillerina in Indonesia.

Fira, however, admitted that she was afraid to try something new at first.

“I live a very fast-paced life and sometimes do not get enough sleep, so under my eyes I had lots of fine lines and a tinge of blue, but after Fillerina I can’t notice them as much,” she said.

Fillerina business manager unit Hari P. Widodo said the serum was available in three grades of different concentrations. The treatment is personalized to a person’s skin type.

The entire series ranges in price, from Rp 1 million (US$76.68) to Rp 2.8 million

With minimal side effects, no recovery time and an affordable price, perhaps it is time to say goodbye to botox, and hello to Fillerina. Fillerina products can be purchased at leading beauty clinics, and will also be available at leading department stores Sogo and Seibu around the country starting next month.

— Photo by Annabel Tanya Nugent
The writer is an intern at The Jakarta Post

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