Surgiderm® - Dermal Fillers
This product is manufactured by the Corneal Group which is currently part of Allergan. They have based the manufacturing on their patented cross-linking process: the "3D hyaluronic acid matrix technology". It claims to allow consistency and greater numbers of cross-linking structures to enable maximum protection against degradation. This increases the chances of the results lasting longer than other hyaluronic based fillers. It launched in the UK in 2006 and is a non-animal stabilised hyaluronic acid, which is made by the bacterial fermentation of streptococci bacteria and it does not require any skin tests. The hyaluronic acid gets totally broken down over several months, exhausting the filler. It is licensed as a medical appliance and should be used by qualified medical practitioners only.
Product range formulations include Surgiderm 18 which is suitable for fine lines such as laughter lines, smoker lines and perioral lines. Surgiderm 24 XP works best for deep lines and wrinkles and enhancing the vermilion border. Surgiderm 30 can treat deep lines, wrinkles and deep depressions in the skin. Surgiderm 30 XP is designed for treatment of medium-deep skin depressions and volume enhancement of issues such as cheek atrophy and sunken areas, plus enhancement of the vermillion border.
Surgilips is mainly injected into lips and perioral lines and can equally fill smokers' lines, redefining vermillion border and increasing lip volume. Finally, Surgilift® Plus is best for replenishment of the hyaluronic acid lost through ageing, thus improving elasticity and tone in areas such as the face, neck, décolletage and hands. It cannot be used on people with a known hypersensitivity to hyaluronic acid or pregnant and breastfeeding women. It can last for 9 to 12 months.
Potential side-effects include transient erythema (redness), swelling, discomfort at the implant area, but recovery is usually instantaneous and around 1 to 2 days after treatment. Hypersensitivity-related effects have been reported in 1 out of every 2000 patients. Rare cases of granuloma, urticaria and superficial necrosis are reported in 1 out of 15,000 treated cases. Cost ranges from £250 to £400 and is dependent on the area to be treated, the amount required and the medical professional applying the treatment.
