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Injectable Bio-Catalysts
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Injectable bio-catalysts such as Isolagen, are semi-permanent ad usually irreversible. These products can be used for wrinkles, and deep folds such as the nasolabial area (lines that run from nose to mouth) and the glabellar region (frown lines between the brows. |
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They are also used for augmentation of the lips and for filling out acne scars and other types of tissue deficiencies. They are utilized after a temporary "try on" product has been used and in lieu of permanent products such as Artecoll™ or DermaLive. In this section, we will discuss the various options in soft tissue augmentation and rejuvenation with the use of injectable biocatalysts.
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1. DermaCellagen™ sometimes called Dermacollagen: (technically: unknown bio catalyst) This is a French based product or at least European in origin. The below information has been translated from French seminar:
"Dermacellagen™ Long Lasting Augmentation of Skin Defects With Dermacellagen™ - Don A Kleinsek, A. Soto - USA
Dermacellagen™ is a long lasting cosmetic augmentation product for the repair of fine and deep rhytids, scars and stretch marks among other defects. Based on the company's proprietary autologous tissue engineering process Dermacellagen™ is an injectable product without the undesirable secondary effects of allergic or immune reactions and without toxicity.
These reactions are known to be important secondary effects of other non surgical cosmetic correction techniques, such as bovine collagen injections. The long lasting effects of DermaCellagen™ have been well demonstrated in a Phase 1/2 clinical study conducted in humans. No major adverse events were encountered in the clinical study. patient follow up of more than a year has verified no loss of the augmentation effect provided by the application of the simple and novel treatment."
Allergy Test: unknown
Longevity: DermaCellagen™ is reportedly semi permanent.
Approximate Cost: unknown
Available in the United States? DermaCellagen™ is not approved by the FDA for use in the US.
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2. New-Fill™ or New-Fillä: technically: polylactic acid (PLA) hydrogel) This product is reported to be "A synthetic polymer that is biocompatible, biodegradable, immunologically inert". There are no animal compounds and it has been used for over 20 years in orthopedics, plastic and reconstructive surgery throughout Europe and for cosmetic applications in the US.
"New-Fill™ gives way to the formation of new collagen induced by the properties inherent in the polylactic acid. The process of new collagen formation ( the natural restructuring of the skin )is manifested by the formation of a fibrous dermal layer which is responsible for the filling action. Once this tissue restructuring is induced, the process persists despite the resorption of the microparticles of polylactic acid.
New-Fill™ is intended for the treatment of fine lines, wrinkles and more marked furrows or creases, as well as for the augmentation of the tissue volume in certain areas of the face (cheek-bones, cheek depressions, lips chin, etc )."
The injections may be painful and sting quite a bit during application. You are usually allowed to use a topical anesthetic like Marcaine or the newer, Anodyne Anesthetic Prescription Strength (5% Lidocaine, 5% Tetracaine). Alternatively, PLA can also be mixed with Lidocaine. Reportedly, the appropriate ratio would be 150 mg of powder:2 ml of sterile water:1 ml of Lidocaine.
Allergy Test: reportedly not necessary
Longevity: New-Fill is not permanent, it eventually absorbs into the body.
Retail: £250 for lip, nose-mouth lines, forehead, reportedly averaging at $500.US for 1cc
Approximate Cost: per Two 3 ml bottles; DEM 750,00, that is roughly 375 US dollars (Thank you Pieter!). In the US, most of our visitors were getting it for approximately $1,000. US per treatment at first. This price has since decreased by as much as half!
Available in the United States? New-Fill™ is not approved by the FDA for use in the US. There are clinics all over the US which offer the injections if you have access to the products - or order the products for you if you have HIV/Protease induced facial wasting disorders.
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3. Reviderm Intra: (technically: flexible DEXTRAN micro-beads suspended in super-coiled, stabilized hyaluronic acid) Reviderm Intra is an in injectable implant (flexible DEXTRAN microbeads - DEXTRAN is a carbohydrate complex, the liquid form was once used in the place of saline in breast implants) 40-60 microns in size. The micro-beads are evenly suspended in a non-animal hyaluronic acid. "Reviderm Intra is biocompatible and biodegradable, yet long lasting, because of the stimulation of growth of connective tissue in the dermis". It is reported that each 1.0 ml of Reviderm Intra contains:
- Hyaluronic acid – 20mg
- DEXTRAN pearls – 25 mg
- Sodium chloride – 9 mg
- Phosphate buffer – 1 mg
- and 1 ml of sterile saline
At 2 to 4 weeks after injection, 1 or 2 more injections will more than likely be needed to reach full desired augmentation. Reviderm Intra proliferates fibroblast and new collagen formation.
Allergy Test: n/a
Longevity: reportedly 1 1/2 - 2 years
Approximate Cost: unknown
Available in the United States? Reviderm Intra is not approved by the FDA for use in the US.
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4. Isolagen: (technically: cultured human fibroblasts) This can be considered a self-derived catalyst so it falls under two categories. It is currently being run through the required clinical trials in the U.S. as we speak. Its make up is primarily from cultured human fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are connective-tissue cells of mesenchymal origin that secrete proteins; especially molecular collagen from which the extracellular fibrillar matrix of connective tissue forms. Mesenchymal means: loosely organized undifferentiated mostly messodermal cells that give rise to such structures as connective tissues, blood, lymphatics, bone and cartilage. Messoderm (as in Messodermal) is the middle of the three primary germ layers of an embryo and is the source of many bodily tissues and structures. Broadly, tissues derived from this germ layer are considered Messodermic.
Basically it is an injectable cultured (grown in a petri dish, in a lab, from skin taken from a punch graft behind your ear) tissue that, when injected into the body, encourages tissue growth for an undetermined amount of time. The human fibroblasts are not known to cause any negative reaction and be extremely tolerated, rather, accepted wholeheartedly, by the body. In addition to sparking actual tissue growth from the live fibroblast injection.
Allergy test: reportedly not necessary
Longevity: reportedly indefinite although the collagen is susceptible to natural aging.
Approximate Cost: unknown
Available in the United States? Isolagen has not been approved by the FDA for use in the US as of yet.
Website: www.isolagen.com
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