Aquamid - Dermal Fillers

This product was launched in 2003 in the U.K and contains 2-3 percent of cross-linked polyacrylamide network of gel. Polyacrylamides are basically polymers which are formed from the polymerization of acrylamide. The rest of the remaining 97-98 percent is made up of water. The molecule is normally not dissolved in water but is instead swollen like a sponge, while the gel is always in dynamic equilibrium within the neighbouring tissues that surround it. But then the polymer still maintains the inherent ability to remain elastic over some appreciable amount of time due to the fact that it has the capacity to hold water. In the previous Soviet Union and Europe, Aquamid™ has been used extensively, especially for aesthetic functions in a period of over ten years with over 30,000 patients treated. Treatment of drinking water is another function that has been well served by this substance especially in the United States and Europe. It can also be found in tissue implant materials and soft contact lenses.

For treatment with the substance, no skin test is required prior to using, meaning it can be used directly, since it is already certified by the time of manufacturing and release to the market. It falls under the permanent filler category and the implant is given, not by a solid product, but by water. Its injection takes place right under the skin where it cannot be felt or seen, remaining permanently in place. It becomes easier for the body to hold the gel and keep it by forming a thin membrane around the implant, which helps in keeping it firmly in place. Some of the conditions that can be treated with the substance include facial lines like nasolabial folds, lip enhancement, depressed scars, cheekbones and jawline enhancement, facial volume replacement and deformities.

In terms of side effects, it is not known to cause very serious complications but only mild cases of reactions which clear up within a short time. Some of the temporary reactions that can be experienced include pain, reddening, itching and oedema. There are usually rare cases of about 1 in 1500 patients likely to develop transient tendencies of swelling near the injected regions. However, the reactions are highly self limiting and will take a few weeks to clear fully. In terms of cost, practitioners will normally charge between £500 - £600 per injection.