Posts Tagged ‘fillers’

Collagen Injectables Discontinued as Popularity of Hyaluronic Acid Fillers Grows

Monday, July 12th, 2010

Radiesse before & after photosThe latest issue of Dermatology Times reports on the changing U.S. injectables market, given the news that most collagen fillers will be gone from the market at year’s end.

In January 2010, Allergan announced it would be discontinuing its collagen line of fillers— CosmoPlast, CosmoDerm and bovine products Zyderm and Zyplast—at the end of the year. The company halted production of the products last year, but manufactured sufficient inventory to meet estimated market demand through the end of 2010, according to Kelly Lao, manager of corporate communications.

In late 2009 Johnson & Johnson had announced that it was discontinuing its collagen filler Evolence.

“For my generation of dermatologists, collagen was the gold standard of fillers—this is what we were taught to use,” says Seth L. Matarasso, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco. “But the market is changing. Welcome to the brave new world of fillers.”

“The discontinuation of the sale of our collagen products … is in response to declined market interest … since the introduction of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers like Juvéderm have become more popular,” Ms. Lao says.

“There is an overwhelming popularity of the new kid on the block: the hyaluronic acids. They have been embraced universally, and suddenly collagens aren’t as popular,” says Dr. Matarasso.

The popularity of hyaluronic acid products, which includes Restylane, Perlane, Juvéderm, Radiesse and Sculptra, is due to factors that include:

  • Longer-lasting results
  • Appear to give a better fill
  • Some contain lidocaine for less painful injections

Upcoming improvements of hyaluronic acids, according to Dermatology Times, will provide more volume and contour-changing ability and the ability to fill deeper lines.

Read the full story, “Dermatologists prepare for departure of collagen from U.S. market,” online at Modern Medicine. (Before and after photos of Radiesse patient, courtesy of radiesse.com)

Injectables with Lidocaine Offer Pain Relief

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

Restylane logoOne of the latest advancements in the U.S. injectable fillers market is lidocaine-containing versions of popular hyaluronic acid fillers, reports the July 2010 issue of Cosmetic Surgery Times. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that is injected directly into the body area and decreases pain by temporarily numbing that area, according to WebMD.

Three injectables won FDA approval in February 2010 for lidocaine versions in the U.S.:

The products performed similarly to their lidocaine-free predecessors in terms of safety and efficacy, according to Dr. Michael H. Gold, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and School of Nursing. Furthermore, “The incorporation of lidocaine has surely provided a higher comfort level for patients [in the clinical trials],” he says.

Dr. Gold adds that in his clinical experience when patients undergo an injection that includes even a small percentage of lidocaine, “Most patients say they barely feel the second stick. To me that is the home run of lidocaine in these fillers.”

In clinical studies by Medicis to support FDA approval, the addition of lidocaine to Restylane and Perlane substantially reduced pain experienced by patients, while demonstrating adverse event safety profiles similar to those of Restylane and Perlane, according to the Medicis release.

A method for doctors mixing lidocaine with Radiesse was cleared in July 2009. “Originally, I was against doctors mixing a lot of fillers because I was afraid of potential changes in the products themselves,” says Dr. Gold. But once the FDA clears these products, especially those premixed by manufacturers, “I’m pretty comfortable with it.”

Fillers with lidocaine among latest injectable advancements” is available online at Modern Medicine. Learn more about Restylane, Perlane, and Radiesse in Seattle.

Wide-Awake but Still Looking Tired?

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

istock_000006408881xsmallIs this you? Your eyes are swollen morning and night. You constantly have under eye bags and dark circles. When people aren’t saying you look tired, they’re asking if you have allergies or if you feel okay.

If any of this sounds familiar, perhaps it is time to do something about it. You shouldn’t have to live with such a condition – especially one so treatable! Besides, if you don’t seek treatment, it’s possible that symptoms may become more noticeable.

Dr. Heffernan is a board certified Oculoplastic surgeon who can recommend treatment options such as the following:

• An upper and lower eyelid lift (also called a blepharoplasty)
• A brow, or forehead lift
• Injection with Botox cosmetic
• Injection of a dermal filler to add volume to sunken eye troughs

In some cases, patients need a combination of the above options. Many choose to combine eyelid surgery with a brow lift. Choosing to undergo surgery (or even a non-surgical procedure) is a significant decision, so try to gather as much information as possible. View before and after photos of patients like yourself, speak to former patients and ask them questions like these:

  • How was the procedure beneficial for you?
  • Were you comfortable with your surgeon?
  • Would you do it again?
  • Would you do anything differently?

The eyes are one of the first features on the face to which most of us respond. You deserve to have eyes that radiate, eyes that brighten your face and eyes that reflect how young and energetic you truly feel.

If you’re ready to discuss your options, contact the Seattle office of Dr. Heffernan today.