Added to Saved items
This page has been archived. It has not been updated since 24/03/2016. External links and references may no longer work.

This leaflet is provided by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, the professional body responsible for the advancement of education and safety in aesthetic plastic surgery.

Many methods and substances have been used to treat facial wrinkles and to conceal the effects of ageing on the face. In addition to formal surgical procedures, laser treatment and botulinum toxin there are a large number of fillers available which can be injected as an outpatient. These are the subject of this information sheet.

Dermal fillers may be biocompatible or synthetic and are marketed alone or in combination. Biocompatible fillers have a perceived safety record and are resorbable. However the period of benefit is of limited duration normally lasting about 6 months.

Synthetic fillers

Synthetic fillers are permanent but are associated with rejection, migration and granuloma formation and are unable to change with the ageing face. In the case of an adverse reaction removal is almost impossible to achieve. There are few indications in current practice for the injection of synthetic fillers to correct the lines and effects of ageing. They are included for reference rather than recommendation.

Biocompatible fillers

Ideally the effects of a filler should last about 12 months. This allows reasonable respite from the injections and also enables accommodation of changes in the face which may occur with continued ageing.

Collagen implants are prepared from three sources: bovine, human or autologous. Collagen synthesis may also be increased by fibroblast stimulation or injection of cultured cells.

Bovine preparations

This comes in a highly purified or monomolecular form in different concentrations and mixed with local anaesthetic. A test dose is required as approximately 3% of patients demonstrate sensitivity and another 1% will develop sensitivity with treatment. In most patients it will be completely resorbed within 3 to 6 months.

Human preparations

These are a preparation of human collagen, elastic fibres and other dermal components from screened donors. No pre-treatment skin testing is necessary and the effects last from 3 to 12 months.

Autologous preparations

These require skin harvest, which is processed into a collagen suspension for injection and requires 2-3 treatments over a 3-month period. This is reported to provide greater than 75% correction for more than a year.

Injectable fibroblasts

These can be cultured from a small skin biopsy and following a test dose at one month a series of 3 injections is given at 2-week intervals. Gradual improvement occurs over 6 months and repeat injections can be prepared as required from the original biopsy.

Polylactic acid stimulates fibroblast production

The effect takes 4 to 6 weeks to achieve but can last for years. This should not be injected superficially as obvious fibrous nodules can result which may be difficult to treat.

Hyaluronic acid preparations (hyaluronan) are obtained by bacterial synthesis or from an avian source and are cross linked to varying degrees to maximise viscoelasticity and persistence. They last between 6 and 9 months and although well tolerated there is a 1% incidence of adverse reactions including granulomatous inflammation and sterile abscesses. 

Methylmethacrylate

This has been used for many years as bone cement for joint replacement surgery. However in the skin, redness, inflammation and infection may occur. One preparation utilises methylmethacrylate microspheres suspended in bovine collagen whilst an alternative suspends them in hyaluronic acid. These are intended to permit even distribution of the microspheres prior to absorption of the collagen or hyaluronic acid. A series of injections are required to achieve the final result and allergic reactions to collagen may occur.

Polyacrylamide gel

This is used alone or in combination with polyvinyl microspheres. The injected volume is reported to diminish by one third post injection and then build up again over the next 2 months. The augmentation is supposed to be permanent but additional injections may be required. This augmentation tends to stay soft but polyacrylamide gel can act as a reservoir for bacteria and has been associated with a significant delayed infection rate.

Silicone injections

These are banned in most countries but are still used in France and Italy. Although giving apparently excellent initial results, migration and inflammation are almost inevitable and the surgery then required is likely to result in much greater aesthetic deformity than that leading to the initial treatment.

Content used with permission from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons website: Cosmetic facial injections. Copyright for this leaflet is with the BAAPS.

Disclaimer

This leaflet is designed to supply useful information but is not to be regarded as advice specific to any particular case. It does not replace the need for a thorough consultation and all prospective patients should seek the advice of a suitably qualified medical practitioner. The BAAPS accepts no liability for any decision taken by the reader in respect of the treatment they decide to undertake.

Botox

Are you protected against flu?

See if you are eligible for a free NHS flu jab today.

Check now
newnav-downnewnav-up