You may want to soften grooves, define contours or improve skin quality. You may have had filler elsewhere, or heard that CaHA "lasts longer" and are unsure what to make of it. The two questions asked most often are: have I chosen the wrong type of material, and if I am not happy with the result, can it be adjusted? The answer is very different for HA, CaHA and Karisma: if you choose a material that is hard to remove and the result is not what you wanted, adjusting it may be difficult or may need additional procedures. This page compares the three groups of materials so you know what to ask your doctor.
Quick comparison table
The durations in the table are general reference figures from the FDA. They vary from person to person and are not a commitment for any individual case.
| HA filler | CaHA | Karisma Rh Collagen |
|---|
| Nature | Hyaluronic acid gel, a sugar naturally present in the skin that retains water | Calcium hydroxylapatite particles, a mineral found in bone and teeth, suspended in a gel | Recombinant human type I collagen, high molecular weight HA, carboxymethylcellulose |
| Main effect | Fills and shapes at the injection site | Immediate filling from the gel, plus collagen stimulation over time | Described by the manufacturer as stimulating fibroblasts to produce type I collagen; not intended to create volume |
| General reference duration (by source) | FDA: about 6–12 months | FDA: about 18 months | The manufacturer does not publish a general timeframe |
| Adjustment when needed | Can be dissolved with the enzyme hyaluronidase | The FDA notes that non-HA fillers may be difficult or impossible to remove | The manufacturer's official page does not state how to dissolve it; ask your doctor before injection |
| At BonBoz Clinic | Available, after examination | Not listed as a service | Available, after examination |
These timeframes are not a commitment for how long results last at BonBoz; Karisma has no general timeframe, so it cannot be compared with the other two groups. Actual duration depends on the product, the injection area, individual factors, the technique and the amount injected; your doctor will advise you specifically after examination. The "Which one to choose" section at the end of this page helps you prepare for your consultation.
HA filler: when you need volume and want to keep the option to adjust
Your doctor chooses an HA type with a firmness suited to each area being treated. The key safety point is that HA can be dissolved with the enzyme hyaluronidase when adjustment is needed. At BonBoz Clinic, doctors use only biodegradable HA filler, not permanent or semi-permanent filler. Details: HA filler (dermal filler).
CaHA: filling plus collagen stimulation, but harder to reverse
BonBoz does not list CaHA as a service; this section is for comparison only, drawing on the FDA and medical literature. CaHA consists of calcium hydroxylapatite particles suspended in a gel; according to the FDA, the effect lasts about 18 months. A review published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal (2023), written about Radiesse, a CaHA product, reports that CaHA fills immediately thanks to its carrier gel, then increases collagen and elastin at the injection site. Two things to know before injection: non-HA fillers may be difficult or impossible to remove if complications occur (FDA), and CaHA shows up on X-rays and can obscure underlying structures. If you have had CaHA injected, tell your radiologist. If keeping the option to adjust is your priority, ask about this point carefully before choosing CaHA.
Karisma: recombinant collagen for skin quality
Karisma Rh Collagen is classified by its manufacturer, Taumedika (Italy), as a Class III injectable medical device that is resorbable. The manufacturer describes the product as stimulating fibroblasts to produce type I collagen. Karisma is not intended to create volume like a filler. The manufacturer does not publish a general duration; the interval between sessions is decided by your doctor after reassessing your skin. The manufacturer's official page does not state how to dissolve it, so if keeping the option to adjust is your priority, ask your doctor before injection. Details: Karisma Rh Collagen.
What is a "collagen stimulator"
This is the term for a group of injectables whose main goal is to help the skin produce more collagen over time, rather than only filling at the injection site. CaHA is described as both filling and stimulating collagen (Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2023). Volumising HA is not usually placed in this group. Karisma is described by the manufacturer as promoting collagen production, but it has its own composition and classification and should not be equated with CaHA.
What about Botox
Botox is not a filler. It is a muscle-relaxing medication used in a controlled way for dynamic wrinkles of the forehead, frown lines, crow's feet, or to slim the masseter muscle. See Botulinum toxin (Botox).
Where to get CaHA safely in Ho Chi Minh City
If you choose CaHA at any facility, check three things: the injector's operating licence and practising certificate (look them up on the portal of the Department of Health); the product name, batch number, expiry date and registration number in Vietnam; and that the product is opened in front of you. Details are on the licence and injection safety page. BonBoz Clinic does not currently list CaHA injection as a service; you can leave your phone number so that Dr. Kim Kha can examine you and determine whether HA filler or Karisma suits your goals.
Which one to choose
There is no "best" type for everyone. The choice depends on your goal (adding volume, defining contours or improving skin quality), the area to be treated, your previous injection history and whether you want to keep the option to adjust. Your doctor needs to examine you in person before making a recommendation. A consultation with Dr. Kim Kha at BonBoz Clinic tells you whether your goal suits HA filler, skin booster or Karisma, which type should not be used, and the specific cost before you decide. Prepare answers to three questions for the consultation:
- 1Is your goal to add volume, define contours or improve skin quality?
- 2What have you had injected before, when and where? If you do not remember clearly, bring your records or photos of the product when you come.
- 3Is keeping the option to adjust a priority for you?
Book using the form at the bottom of the page, message us on Zalo or call the hotline; the clinic will call you back shortly before your appointment with Dr. Kim Kha.
References
