Collagen is one of the building blocks of skin. Some of the organic implants are forms of collagen which have different agents within their suspensions and solutions. Zyderm, Zyplast, and Koken are bovine collagen. Zyderm and Zyplast originate from the skin of cattle and are milky in appearance, whereas Koken is a clear solution originating from the skin of calves.

A significant breakthrough in soft tissue implants is viscoelastic gel (Hylaform and Restylane). This gel is a derivative of a ubiquitous molecule made of linked starches (polysaccharides) from modified hyaluronan which is located between the structural cells of the skin. It acts as a type of intercellular glue.

In the microlipid transfer, fat is taken from one area of the body, usually from underneath the navel, and injected into the furrows or wrinkles of the same person. Silicone fluid is an artificial solution of silicon, oxygen, and other elements. The use of silicone for injecting into wrinkles has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States nor the Health Protection Branch in Canada. Even so, it has been used by numerous practitioners because of its permanent nature, although it has been less popular since the advent of organic implants.

Fibrel and microlipid transfers both use substances from the patient's own body. Fibrel is unique in that it is composed of gelatin powder and another chemical agent which is mixed with the yellow protein of the recipient's blood.

Artecoll is made up of three ingredients PMMA (inert microspheres), collagen and a local anesthetic. The collagen and anesthesia assist in the delivery of the microspheres through a fine needle. The microspheres are not absorbed by the body. During the first 90 days after treatment, the injected collagen dissipates and is replaced with new collagen created by the body, which binds the PMMA microspheres in place. This provides the much desired permanent effect, however the limitations are the permanent feel of the microspheres under the skin, the possibility of the material being misplaced, asymmetry and a long post injection healing period.

Medical Gore-Tex has been used to patch blood vessels since the 1970's and in the hands of a skilled practitioner can be effective in the treatment of deep furrows and scars. If it is not properly implanted it can shift out of place. However, it is not as unforgiving as silicone as it can be removed if it begins to migrate.