Aquamid™
Product Summary
This product was launched in the U.K. in 2003.
Aquamid™ contains about 2 - 3% of cross-linked polyacrylamide gel network and with the remaining part of 97 - 98% being water.
The molecule is not dissolved in water, but "swollen" like a sponge. The gel is in dynamic equilibrium with the surrounding tissue, but still the polymer retains its ability to hold water and remains elastic over an extended time.
Aquamid™ has been used for aesthetic correction for more than ten years in 30,000 patients in the previous Soviet Union and Europe.
Polyacrylamides have been used for many years in the United States and Europe for treatment of drinking water, and is also found in soft contact lenses, and tissue implant material.
Generic name
The sterile gel consists of sterile water bound to 2.5 % cross-linked polyacrylamide and does not contain microparticles.
How is it made?
Polyacrylamides are polymers formed from the polymerisation of acrylamide.
Is a skin test required before treatment?
No.
Is it temporary or permanent?
It is a permanent filler where the volume of the implant is given by water not from a solid product. Aquamid™ is made of 2.5% polyacrylamide and 97.5% water. The cross-linked polyacrylamide forms a real gel, which does not contain any solid microparticles. This makes it soft and uniform. It is injected under the skin where it can'`'`'`'t be seen or felt and remains in place permanently.
Being mostly water, the body accepts the gel readily and forms a thin membrane around the implant which helps to keep it in place; as the gel is very elastic it moves with all facial expressions.
Licenced status
Medical device.
Should be used by
Trained members of the medical profession only.
What can it be used to treat?
Aquamid™ can be used to treat deep facial lines (such as the nasolabial folds).
It can also be used to:
- Enhance lips
- Replace facial volume lost from age
- For facial deformities
- To treat depressed scars
- To enhance cheekbones and jawline.
Aquamid is not indicated for the treatment of fine wrinkles.
Not to be used in
Aquamid™ should not be used in or near anatomic sites with active skin disease or inflammation. It should not be used during pregnancy or lactation.
Duration of effect
The effect of the injection of Aquamid™ is permanent. As the initial swelling subsides there will be some loss of volume, i.e. there will be some return of the wrinkle, crease, scar or lip shape. For this reason 2 - 3 treatments may be necessary to obtain an optimum result.
The polyacrylamide gel will remain permanently in the skin.
Since the ageing of the skin continues, it may be necessary to carry out follow-up injections after a certain period of time, depending on a number of factors (skin structure, age, etc...).
Aquamid™ can be removed shortly after the injection if necessary. If the gel has to be removed at a later stage, a minor surgical procedure might be necessary, the success rate of which is variable.
Reported side effects
Injection of Aquamid™ causes only mild reaction in the surrounding tissue which is minimal compared with reactions to other foreign bodies.
This indicates that the polyacrylamide gel is well tolerated by the human body. There is no calcification, no cancer causing effect, no inflammation and no local allergic reaction.
Aquamid™ does not cause any allergic reaction or any other immunological effect either in animals or in humans.
Aquamid™ does not migrate.
Adverse effects are seen in relation to 1-2% of injections mostly infection which is easily treated.
Temporary reactions typically connected with injection may appear, for example reddening, pain, oedema, itching at the site of injection.
Within 1 -2 weeks after treatment 1 out of 1500 patients have a risk of developjng transient swelling and tenderness near injection sites. If not caused by infection these reactions are self limiting and will resolve in a couple of weeks.
Costs
Practitioners may charge somehwere in the region of £500 - £600 per syringe injected.
Clinical results
Left picture: Nasolabial folds before treatment with Aquamid.
Right picture: Improvement in nasolabial folds after treatment.
Before and after photographs are real patients, your results may differ.
Photographs provided courtesy of the Liinzi James Clinic Limited.
Aquamid™ Reviews
Overall Product Rating For Aquamid™
Aquamid™ Reviews. Read and compare 6 patient reviews and ratings for Aquamid™. See if others recommend this cosmetic procedure and think its value for money. Or write your own review below!
Overall satisfaction with Product
out of 5 based on 6 reviews
Level of pain experienced with Product
Satisfaction with results achieved
Value for Money
Aquamid™ Reviewed by Dawn Lawson on 17/12/2012
I had Aquamid injected into my top lip 5 years ago. Within 24 hours it flared up to the point where the skin was so stretched it began to tear and I was put on several medications, including antibiotics, to counteract it. For no apparent reason it flared up again 7 months later (only on one side of my lip - making me look hugely deformed) before seeping / squirting pus. It was the most revolting thing I have ever seen in my life!! I have had a hard round lump on the left side of my lip ever since. It`s unsightly and painful when knocked - I have to be careful how I use my utensils when eating. Cosmetic nurses/doctors refuse to treat any area on my lower face because of it and I have to have it removed surgically - finding a surgeon prepared / confident to go at it is difficult. I would never in a million years recommend this product. If it works, great, but if you do have a side effect (sooner or later) it tends to be massive - check out google images... My advice would be to stick with the `temporary` fillers, which I`ve never had a problem with :)
Overall satisfaction with product
out of 5
Level of pain experienced with product
Satisfaction with results achieved
Value for Money
Aquamid Reviewed on 04/08/2012
Not a review, but a question for the "appearance medicine" (huh?) doctor below. I''ve never had treatmet but couldn''t post a comment without rating it so I did so based on what I''ve read. Please ignore it. Anyway, you claim that the second adverse reaction you describe was caused by an infected injection - is it really fair therefore to blame Aquamid for this?
Overall satisfaction with product
out of 5
Level of pain experienced with product
Satisfaction with results achieved
Value for Money
Aquamid™ Reviewed by Kate McGrath on 31/08/2011
I had Aquamid injected under a skin cancer scar to restore the volume and reduce the appearance and it has worked beautifully. Since then, I''''ve had the same treatment in my upper lip. No side effects, however, I chose a doctor who has experience in the procedure and uses a sterile technique, and a good track-record with this treatment. So I''''ve had Aquamid in my skin since 2001 with a great result and without any problems at all. In my opinion if you choose a reputable and experienced practitioner and follw their advice, it''''s a great choice for people who want a long-term result.
Overall satisfaction with product
out of 5
Level of pain experienced with product
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Value for Money
Aquamid™ Reviewed on 31/08/2011
This is a fantastic prodcut used by a very experienced and trained Doctor ONLY The long term results are great value for consumers
Overall satisfaction with product
out of 5
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Aquamid™ Reviewed by Dr. Paul Robert Weaver on 13/05/2011
I am an experienced appearance medicine doctor in New Zealand. Unfortunately I have had serious complications in two of my patients with this permanent dermal filler and would caution both doctors and patients about the use of permanent dermal fillers in general. Today I have sent a report to the New Zealand Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring (CARM) about a patient I injected with Aquamid back in 2002 who has had a granulomatous reaction to the filler leaving her with hard, inflammed lumps in the facial skin. Previously I have had a patient with awful scars to the vermillion borders of the lips following an infected aquamid injection that required plastic surgical correction. I no longer reccommend permanent fillers to my patients.
Overall satisfaction with product
out of 5
Level of pain experienced with product
Satisfaction with results achieved
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Aquamid™ Reviewed on 20/03/2011
Aquamid is a great product. I am very happy with the results. I had it done on my cheek bones and nose to mouth lines.I cannot feel it under the skin. I had it done 3 years ago I would say I still have 90% volume where I had the treatment.I have saved a fortune on follow up procedures too : )
Overall satisfaction with product
out of 5
Level of pain experienced with product
Satisfaction with results achieved
Value for Money
