Fillers - Restylane - Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Advice


Fillers - Restylane - Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Advice


What to Expect from Injectable Fillers - Risks from Artificial Fillers - Tissue Grafting - Patients Donate Their Own Cells - Cost for tissue grafts

Fillers, Collagen & Other Stuff While Botox can do most of the heavy lifting when it comes to removing or dissipating facial wrinkles, the job may not be complete unless additional fillers are used. A product called Restylane (or Perlane), which has become very popular around the world as a filler for both wrinkles and lines. Functionally, these fillers act much like collagen, yet is longer-lasting. However, FDA approvals are still required before use will be permitted in the USA market. In Europe and Asia research has identified the key properties of these fillers and how to best use them in cosmetic surgery. Restylane itself is made of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring molecule in the skin. Such molecules draws water to itself and allows the skin to remain hydrated. The injectable form is created in the laboratory, however is longer lasting than any other wrinkle fillers, up to perhaps one year. Research findings indicate that there also are virtually no allergic reactions to Restylane by patients, thus settling a possible basis for wide spread acceptance both by regulatory authorities and consumers. Other wrinkle fillers may reach the market shortly. One company is working on a product made from human foreskin. Other researchers are developing fillers made from the placenta, which is normally discarded after delivery. In contrast with purely cosmetic surgery, the field of reconstructive surgery seeks to restore functionality to damaged body areas. Equally so, reconstructive surgery repairs and in parallel enhances a return to normalcy for the person injured or scarred from accidents or birth defects.

Wrinkle Fillers For the Market A naturally occurring fluid found in human joints and connective tissue is hyaluronic acid. Coincidentally, researchers honed in on hyaluronic acid as a possible property to be used as the basis for an injectible wrinkle treatment procedure and alternative to bovine based collagen injections. These same researchers are interested in compounds which can last 6 months or longer, thereby reducing the need for the periodic treatments necessitated by Botox. Also, researchers are attracted to naturally occurring compounds or their synthesized cousin compounds which carry less risk of allergic reaction than does Botox, which is essentially based on lower levels of poison being injected.

Companies Companies in this market segment such as Swedish drug maker, Q-Med or the USA firm Medicis (MRX) project start up sales of over $50 million for such a product in its first year, to add to underlying revenues of $210 million.

While some of these leading edge companies and their products offer potentially intriguing solutions for beauty-biased consumers, the advocacy groups will continue to act as counter-weight to these market entries. To eliminate wrinkles for some short-term period may be an acceptable goal for some people. However, to accept a "permanent" solution that converts into a "permanent" problem may cause consumers to wait-and-see. Lumpiness and redness may be temporary issues which the attending cosmetic surgeon can rectify with new procedures. After all, the polymers used in this application are highly malleable, accordingly can be smoothened by the physician.

Economically, these high-tech fillers may provide some exciting short term stimulus to customer trials and orders. However, if the sales claims of "permanent" turn out to be true, then the short-term revenue gain for plastic surgeons may actually be a precursor to lowered future revenues. At present, botox injections only last for about three to six months before a re-injection is necessary. By contrast, the newly emerging technologies create longer lasting effects, thus will require less repeat procedures. Less repeat procedures means less revenue.

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