Welcome Back Collagen?
April 28th, 2009
Allure magazine has just reported the availability of a new injection material, Evolence. Manufactured by Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., it received FDA approved almost a year ag0. Now available in the US, it gives another choice to patients requesting injectable wrinkle treatments. Other injection materials include hyaluronic acid (Restylane ®, Juvéderm ®), hydroxyapitite (Radiesse ®), autologous fat (fat from your own body), and other collagen products (Zyderm ®, Zyplast ®, Hylaform ®, Cosmoplast ®).
The Evolence collagen is sourced from porcine (pig) tendons. It is crosslinked using a patented technology using D-Ribose a natural sugar. Due to the genetic similarity between pig and human collagen and the crosslinking process, dermal allergy pre-testing is not necessary.
The search for the ideal injection material to improve facial wrinkles, augment facial bones, and enlarge lips has endured over a century long pursuit for plastic surgeons. The first material tried in the 19th century was paraffin or wax. The chemical induced inflammation and ruled out this material out of the question very early on. Interestingly, I recently saw a patient from Asia who had received such an injection in the 1990’s!
Women searching for larger breasts in the 1940’s and 1950’s received silicone injections. The reactions were so serious, it was banned in the US. Unfortunately, silicone breast injections continued elsewhere in the world for some time. In 1994, the FDA approved injectable silicone for detached retina treatment. The off-label (not approved) injection into the face has continued since that time. Sadly this practice has migrated outside the standards and medical protocol of physician’s offices. It can be found in home parties and offered at hotels where it is being injected by individuals without medical training. Poor results are common.
Collagen injections were first approved by the FDA in 1981. Since that time there has been a string of new collagen products, each trying to improve on the last. Problems including allergic reactions, visible material under the skin, and skin loss (necrosis) have plagued these products. Only widespread clinical use of Evolence will be able to confirm the reported risks and benefits for this product.
Melissa’s Blog: Silicone or Saline Dilemma
April 15th, 2009
A somewhat controversial choice came up for me soon after I decided to schedule my augmentation surgery. I need to decide on whether to have saline or silicone implants put in. I have always envisioned myself going with silicone implants because from what others told me, “they felt most natural.” And then I began to think. “Most natural to whom or should I say, for whom?”
By all means, and lets be honest here, I most certainly want my husband to feel pleasure when he holds my boobs. In fact, I would love to have my breasts feel exactly as they are now, just slightly bigger. But I would also like to feel at ease with what I am putting inside my body. This choice was definitely a decision that I sat on for awhile.
One day it was, “Yes I’m going with silicone” and the next day it was, “No, I’m going with saline.” I consulted again with Dr. Bashioum on what he thinks I should do. After giving me information on both options, he made it clear to me that first and foremost, it is ultimately MY decision. I had heard the facts, so now I needed to decide for myself.
On the one hand, I was solely thinking of my husband. I want him to feel nothing different. And if that’s the case, silicone is the best choice. But on the other hand, I’m the one wearing these and I want to be safe. By choosing saline, if something happens to one of my implants, my body will simply absorb the saline solution. Peace of mind is certainly something I advocate. I have three beautiful young children, that I am constantly worrying about. At the end of the day; what is going to help me sleep better at night? I am going with saline, because it is the best choice for me.
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