Bio-Alcamid™ - Dermal Fillers

This is designed for the correction of tissue deficits, both small and large. The product was launched in the UK in 2003 and is used in cosmetic surgery within the NHS and private clinics. It is structurally a polymer gel which is comprised of alkyl-imide group networks at 4 per cent and non-pyrogenic at 96 per cent. Belonging to the family of acryl-derivatives, alkyl-imide has a polymeric structure that does not contain any free monomers. The process of production does not involve any form of animal gel, not even any biological form of tissues.

The product is a permanent filler and does not require any skin test before being used. The implant's volume is not given in solid state but rather in water form. One injection will normally be enough to achieve a state of permanency as long as the injection is appropriate. After the initial injection volume might be lost, but not so much that the basic effect of the treatment is lost. It has the capacity to correct small and large deficits, unlike most of the products available on the market today.

Some of the deficits the product can treat include pectus excavatum, Poland's Syndrome and liposuction conditions. Bio-Alcamid™ comes in three main types of forms: lip form, face form and body form. Soft and compact, the lip form is ideal for lip outline correction. In its lip form it can only be used when correcting and projecting the labial profile as it is not supposed to be injected into the mucosa.

The face form has the same composition as the lip form, but it is suitable for the correction of medium and medium–small deficits in terms of volume. For example, it can treat zygomatic and prominent nasolabial fissures. The body form, on the other hand, has almost the same composition as the face form, but it contains more material to fulfil correction of significant tissue deficits like Poland's Syndrome and gluteal atrophy.

Bio-Alcamid™ should not be used on patients who are or may be pregnant or lactating. Bio-Alcamid™ is permanent but an occasional additional treatment is advised to maintain optimum levels. This is because there is commonly some loss of volume as the initial swelling disappears. Occasionally the return of scars, wrinkles, creases and other unwanted shapes can be witnessed and a second application will be necessary. Side-effects include swelling and reddening, but they disappear soon after the treatment is over.