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Aquamid and the ageing process The ageing process of the skin represents a combination of gravity effect and a skin atrophy itself. Skin becomes thinner and loses its elasticity. Subcutaneous tissue flattens. Therefore attempts have been made to restore the volume and increase tissue elasticity. A large amount of different substances are currently used as volume fillers. Aquamid is used as a fat substitute. Once injected Aquamid becomes a stable part in the soft tissue. When palpating, Aquamid feels soft and elastic like normal tissue. Aquamid gel has been used for aesthetic and reconstructive surgery for more than eight years. Thousands of patients have been injected with the gel for various indications. Retrospective studies on patients having gel injected for 1-9 years showed no concerns with respect to product safety as well as aesthetic result. Histology samples taken from patients 1-9 years after gel injection reveal a high biocompatibility of the product. The gel induces only very mild foreign body reaction with no strong fibrous reaction or calcifications common for other implants. There is no difference between tissue reactions over many years. With ageing Aquamid will follow the tissue movements, which could be more visible in lower parts of the face like mentolabial folds. This movement may change the aesthetic result and therefore additional injections may be necessary. It has to be remembered that Aquamid is not a substitute for a face-lift, since it only cures effects of gravity. Nevertheless, Aquamid can be used as a supplement to achieve "volumetric face lift". Aquamid is elastic filler consisting mostly of water. In contrast to a number of various implants, Aquamid does not interfere with a natural growth/movement of the tissue. Thus, Aquamid implants are successfully used in children since the gel can follow the tissue growth and therefore does not cause asymmetry of the face.
Ieva Ankorina-Stark PhD
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