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Temporary Injectable Fillers

Temporary injectable fillers such as bovine (cow) collagen and hyaluronic acid products are the most commonly used soft tissue augmentation products. They are 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.
They are also used for augmentation of the lips and for filling out acne scars and other types of tissue deficiencies. They are also ideal for "trying on" augmentation before undergoing a more permanent procedure. In this section, we will discuss the various options in temporary soft tissue augmentation.

You may click a product name to skip to its summary or you may scroll down for each product summary.

PlasmaGel®
Restylane®
Macrolane®
Perlane®
Zyderm® bovine collagen
Zyplast® bovine collagen
Rofilan Hylan Gel
Hylaform
Restoplast
Fibrel® porcine collagen
Dermicol®
Juvéderm 18, 24 & 30
MacDermol®

Return to the Injectable Fillers Index

1. PlasmaGel®: (technically: patient derived, plasma emulsion with Vitamin C complex) This product lasts about three to five months. After your blood is withdrawn the physician will "spin" the protein out of your blood and mix it with a Vitamin C complex. Your physician then re-injects this mixture resulting in augmentation with your own protein serum. Reportedly, about 7 - 10% of Plasmagel® is permanent.
Allergy Test: not required
Longevity: 3 - 5 months with 7 - 10% possible permanency
Approximate Cost: $250-$400
Available in the United States? yes

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2. Restylane: (technically: Hyaluronic acid) Restylane was created by Q-Med Laboratories of Sweden. Restylane's make up is based on a non-animal hyaluronic acid. Restylane is injected into the skin or lip wherever augmentation is needed. No pre-test in necessary is needed as one of it's main components, Hyaluronic acid, occurs naturally in the body. Hyaluronic acid is a substance found in all living organisms. If injected within wrinkles, it lessens the appearance of such. Restylane is a clear gel that is injected into the lips as well to provide a desired augmentation and "pouty" lip. Once injected it works together with your body's own hyaluronic acid and lasts longer than bovine-derived collagen. The entire Q-Med hyaluronic line is based on the same type gel from highly concentrated (20mg/ml) stabilized hyaluronic acid - the different "grades", or versions, just vary in particulate size.
Allergy Test: not necessary, although some offices suggest it just to be safe.
Longevity: Restylane is not permanent, it eventually absorbs into the body. Restylane is reported by the U.K. to last up to a year but more typically 3-6 months in most.
Approximate Cost: 1cc $250 to $500 and it seems to be climbing. Prices are approximate.
Available in the United States? Restylane is not approved by the FDA for use in the US. However, it is predicted to be approved in the U.S. after significant evidence has been shown to the FDA regarding its safety and efficacy.
Contact info: Q-Med AB (publ), Seminariegatan 21, SE-752 28 Uppsala, Sweden. Corporate identity number 556258-6882. Tel: +46(0)18-474 90 00. Fax: +46(0)18-474 90 01. E-mail: info@q-med.com.
Website: http://www.q-medesthetics.com/

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3. Macrolane: (technically: Hyaluronic acid) Brought to you by Q-med too. This is also the same as the other non-animal hyaluronic gels only even larger in size therefore it takes even longer to dissipate. This is usually reserved for deepest tissue defects and is being studied for breast augmentation in Sweden. It is unknown if Q-Med will produce studies for the use of Macrolane in the lips.
Allergy Test: not necessary, although some offices suggest it as a precautionary measure.
Longevity: Macrolane is not permanent, it eventually absorbs into the body. It is reported by Swedish scientists to last up to 2 years (although this report is for in the breast).
Approximate Cost: unknown
Available in the United States? Macrolane is not approved or available as of yet bin the US. In fact, Q-Med reports that Macrolane is unavailable in general, at this time.
Contact info: Q-Med AB (publ), Seminariegatan 21, SE-752 28 Uppsala, Sweden. Corporate identity number 556258-6882. Tel: +46(0)18-474 90 00. Fax: +46(0)18-474 90 01. E-mail: info@q-med.com.
Website: http://www.q-medesthetics.com/

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4. Perlane: (technically: Hyaluronic acid) Brought to you by Q-med as well. This product is the same as Restylane only larger in size therefore it takes longer to dissipate. This is usually reserved for deep facial lines such as the nasolabial and glabellar regions. Though it is used for lips as well.
Allergy Test: not necessary, although some offices suggest it as a precautionary measure.
Longevity: Perlane is not permanent, it eventually absorbs into the body. Perlane is reported by the U.K. to last up to a year but more typically 3-9 months in most.
Approximate Cost: unknown
Available in the United States? Perlane is not approved by the FDA for use in the US. However, it is predicted to be approved in the U.S. after significant evidence has been shown to the FDA regarding its safety and efficacy.
Contact info: Q-Med AB (publ), Seminariegatan 21, SE-752 28 Uppsala, Sweden. Corporate identity number 556258-6882. Tel: +46(0)18-474 90 00. Fax: +46(0)18-474 90 01. E-mail: info@q-med.com.
Website: http://www.q-medesthetics.com/

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5. Zyderm injectable collagen: injectable collagen: (technically: suspended bovine collagen) Zyderm is made by Collagen Corp. This product is an injectable bovine-derivative (made from cow collagen) and you will need to have a skin test prior to any treatments. To determine if you are eligible for collagen treatments your doctor will inject a small amount of collagen usually into your forearm just below the skin's surface. You should watch the injection site closely for at least 4 weeks for signs of inflammation (red, swelling, itchiness, etc.) The majority of test reactions occur within the first 3 days, but it CAN happen anytime within this time frame. About 1 in every 100 tested patients have a negative reaction and cannot be treated with injectable collagen.

Collagen injections do hurt. Although there is lidocaine inside of the syringe the initial injections are going to hurt especially that not only are they injecting the local anesthetic, they are injecting the thick collagen. After a bit of collagen is injected into your lip the doctor/nurse has about a 3-7 second window to "massage" your lip and smooth out the collagen within before it firms up. Half of the injection consists of the saline carrier so you will look very swollen for about 4 hours until your body absorbs the saline. You may have a few minor bruises at the injection sites.
Allergy Test: Required
Longevity: 3 - 6 months (1-2 in me)
Approximate Costs: $300.00 for 1.0 cc, $400.00 for 1.5 cc, and $500.00 for 2.0 cc
Available in the United States? yes
"What are the FDA-approved uses for injectable collagen?
Injectable collagen has been approved by FDA for filling in "contour deformities" in the skin such as acne scars and wrinkles. It is not approved for major "augmentation" that is, for enlarging otherwise normal facial features. It is also not approved for injection directly into the pigmented area of the lips (but it can be used to correct wrinkles on the skin bordering the lips and augmenting the vermilion border)." FDA and Collagen and Liquid Silicone Injections.

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6. Zyplast injectable collagen: (technically: suspended bovine collagen) Zyplast is also made by Collagen Corp. This product is also an injectable bovine-derivative (made from cow collagen) and you will need to have a skin test prior to any treatments. To determine if you are eligible for collagen treatments your doctor will inject a small amount of collagen usually into your forearm just below the skin's surface. You should watch the injection site closely for at least 4 weeks for signs of inflammation (red, swelling, itchiness, etc.) The majority of test reactions occur within the first 3 days, but it CAN happen anytime within this time frame. About 1 in every 100 tested patients have a negative reaction and cannot be treated with injectable collagen.
Allergy Test: Required
Longevity: 3 - 6 months
Cost: reportedly $210. w/ needle at cost.
Approximate Costs: $300.00 for 1.0 cc, $400.00 for 1.5 cc, and $500.00 for 2.0 cc
Available in the United States? yes
"What are the FDA-approved uses for injectable collagen?
Injectable collagen has been approved by FDA for filling in "contour deformities" in the skin such as acne scars and wrinkles. It is not approved for major "augmentation" that is, for enlarging otherwise normal facial features. It is also not approved for injection directly into the pigmented area of the lips (but it can be used to correct wrinkles on the skin bordering the lips and augmenting the vermilion border)." FDA and Collagen and Liquid Silicone Injections. But come on people, since when do physicians AND each of us adhere to each and every guideline? Products are used off label all of the time.

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7. Rofilan Hylan Gel: (technically: viscoelastic, stabilized hyaluronan gel) "Rofilan is a sterile, non-pyrogen, non-animal gel that is cross-linked with a natural acid instead of a chemical compound." Hyaluronan is a substance found in all living organisms and should be injected, by your doctor, intradermally with a 30 gauge needle. It is not permanent but does last longer than collagen or other forms of hyaluronan. The absorption time of hyaluronan depends upon the length of the molecules. The hyaluronan molecules in Rofilan Hylan Gel is 2.5 million Dalton, whereas other hyaluronan injectables are usually about 1.5 million Dalton). Hence a longer augmentation result is theorized.
Allergy Test: n/a
Longevity: unknown but temporary
Approximate Cost: £250 for lips
Available in the United States? Rofilan Hylan Gel is not approved by the FDA for use in the US. However, it is predicted to be approved in the U.S. after significant evidence has been shown to the FDA regarding its safety and efficacy.

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8. Hylaform: (technically: Hyaluronic viscoelastic gel) Hylaform viscoelastic gel is similar to Rofilan as its main component is hyaluronan BUT it is made from the combs of roosters (the red fleshy projection on top of a rooster's head). Hyaluronan is necessary to provide moisture and elasticity in the skin. Reportedly, your body's Hyaluronan gradually breaks down over time resulting in drier, wrinkled and aged skin. It has a low allergic reaction rate and is considered safer than most injectable fillers available on the market today.

Typical uses for Hylaform gel:

Wrinkle 'removal'
acne scar (pock) filler
scars from trauma can be filled in
smile lines and frown lines can be filled in to create a smoother appearance
lip augmentation

Allergy Test: not necessary
Special Note: Hylaform contains no pain reliever. You may ask for mini-injections of local anesthetic or a regional "nerve block" for pain relief. This could be a hidden cost so ask beforehand.
Longevity: Hylaform is not permanent, and is eventually absorbed by the body. Hylaform is reported by the U.K. to last up to a year but more typically 3-6 months in most.
Approximate Cost: Lips 250 to 500£ not including anesthetic. Prices are approximate.
Available in the United States? Hylaform is not approved by the FDA for use in the US. However, it is predicted to be approved in the U.S. if significant evidence has been shown to the FDA regarding its safety and efficacy.

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9. Restoplast: (technically: suspended bovine collagen) This product is similar to Zyderm or Zyplast bovine collagen that is available in the U.S. This is a European-based product.
Allergy Test: Required
Longevity: reportedly 3 - 6 months
Approximate Cost: 200£ for 1.0 cc, 270£ for 1.5 cc, and 400£ for 2.0 cc (average)
Available in the United States? Restoplast is not approved by the FDA for use in the US.

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10. Fibrel: (technically: injectable porcine derivative collagen) Mentor manufactures this injectable collagen; Porcine is to pig as bovine is to cow. This is basically the same type of collagen although the collagen comes from a pig. Medical uses from porcine derivatives (i.e. replacement Aortas, veins, etc.) are less likely to be rejected than bovine derivatives once an enzyme is removed from the tissue.
Allergy Test: Required
Longevity: 3 - 6 months
Approximate Cost: averaging $300.00 for 1.0 cc, $400.00 for 1.5 cc, and $500.00 for 2.0 cc
Available in the United States? yes

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11. Dermicol: (technically: injectable crosslinked collagen [unknown origin] for tissue augmentation) Brought to you by Colbar R&D Ltd., the same company which brings you Ossix, a dental membrane that stimulates osteoinduction (bone growth) in patients needing a dental implant. This product is not yet available in the United States but is currently undergoing trials in Europe. It is a stable collagen implant similar to those of today and is reported to last between 4 - 6 months. Little is known of this product as of yet but I will continue to update as soon as I get word on this product.
Allergy Test: I would assume it is required
Longevity: reportedly 4 - 6 months
Approximate Projected Cost: unknown
Available in the United States? No. Currently undergoing clinical trials in Europe.

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12. Juvéderm: (technically: viscoelastic, transparent hyaluronic acid gel) Juvéderm is manufactured by L.E.A. Derm which is a subsidiary of the Cornéal group in Paris, France and is packaged in pre-filled syringes containing the hyaluronic gel. Juvéderm is available in two different concentrations. One (Juvéderm 18) is for fine lines and wrinkles of 18mg/g, one which is for augmentation of the lips and the newer Juvéderm 30 for Nasolabials. The Juvéderm 24 & 30 are 24 mg/g for deeper depressions. Juvéderm 30, specifically, is better for deeper depressions such as the nasolabials that we all hate - plus of course augmentation!.
Allergy Test: not necessary, although some offices suggest it just to be safe.
Longevity: Juvéderm is not permanent, it eventually absorbs into the body. Juvéderm is reported to last typically 3-6 months.
Approximate Cost: unknown
Available in the United States? no
Contact info: L.E.A. Derm 28. rue de Caumartin - 75009 Paris- France Tel: +33(0)1 49 24 06 86 Fax: +33(0)1 42 66 01 00 Email: leaderm@wanadoo.fr
Website: http://www.juvederm.com

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13. MacDermol®: (technically: Hyaluronic acid) Touted as "the NEW Hyaluronic acid". It is unknown at this time if MacDermol's make up is based on an animal or non-animal hyaluronic acid. MacDermol® is injected into the skin or lip wherever augmentation is needed. No pre-test in necessary is needed as one of it's main components, Hyaluronic acid, occurs naturally in the body. Hyaluronic acid is a substance found in all living organisms. If injected within wrinkles, it lessens the appearance of such. MacDermol® is a clear gel (such as Restylane) that is injected into the lips as well to provide a desired augmentation. Once injected it works together with your body's own hyaluronic acid and lasts longer than bovine-derived collagen.
Allergy Test: unknown
Longevity: unknown
Approximate Cost: unknown
Available in the United States? MacDermol® is not approved by the FDA for use in the US and is used regularly in Europe - particularly France.